The Husky girls basketball team lost two opening week of league, losing to Molalla 60-31 on the road on Jan. 17 and Stayton 46-17 at home on Jan. 20.
Molalla 60, Sweet Home 17
“We didn’t go out and execute very well,” Coach Jason Gorham said. “We allowed them to go get started in transition and get some easy baskets.”
The Huskies turned the ball over to Molalla’s press early, Gorham said, and that helped build Molalla’s confidence early in the game, sparking a transition attack that dominated the game.
Molalla led 19-2 after the first quarter and 37-14 at halftime. Molalla led 44-19 at the end of the third quarter.
Breanne Messmer led Husky scoring with six points. Makenzie Marchbanks added four; Ashley Bertucci, three; Nicki Aerni, two; and Michelle Aerni, 2.
Steffey led scoring for Molalla with 22 points. Ashley Cunningham added 10.
Stayton 46, Sweet Home 17
The Huskies played with Stayton through the first quarter, trailing 11-8.
“Early on, we played really well,” Gorham said. “It was a five-point game most of the first half.”
Stayton tighened up defensively and built a 21-12 lead by halftime.
“We weren’t able to penetrate and get some of the things they were giving us in the first half,” Gorham said. Stayton led 37-15 after the third quarter.
Stayton is the number two team in the state, Gorham said, and the team hasn’t lost a game since its season opener.
Husky scoring was led by Olivia Lake, Marchbanks and Hannah Swanson with four points each. Sara Brocard and Tabby Trahan added two each, and N. Aerni scored one.
Courtney Cramer led Stayton with 19 points. Natasha Crisman added eight.
“Going into Molalla we were expecting a better game than that,” Gorham said. “We feel like when we play them at home we can give a much better showing.”
The Capital Conference has no easy games, Gorham said, and the Huskies must come prepared and execute “so we can give ourselves a chance to win a couple ball games. We’re working really hard on staying focused on what we need to do to give ourselves a chance to win games.”
The Huskies next face Cascade on the road Friday night.
Cascade is down a little from where it has been, Gorham said, but the team has improved since Christmas, and the Capital Conference gives no easy games on the road.