While some would say the Superbowl score deficit didn’t deliver much excitement for football fans, that wasn’t the case for the Sweet Home boys basketball team against the then-No. 2 team in the state.
The Huskies displayed plenty of heart, staying close to Cascade through three quarters on the road Tuesday, Feb. 4.
The Huskies kept the game competitive and even narrowing the gap to just seven points late in the third quarter, before the home team pulled away for a 67-44 win.
“It is always tough to go on the road in this league, let alone against the No. 2-ranked team in the state and maybe even the favorite to win state,” Coach Drew Emmert said.
Leading the Huskies’ offense were Brayden McClure, who dropped 17 points, and Conner Pace, who added 15. Their double-digit efforts showcased the team’s determination to challenge one of the top teams in the state
Sweet Home struggled to maintain offensive momentum in the final period though. “We were great on defense. We had it within seven late in the third quarter.” Said Emmert.
“We didn’t hit enough shots to keep it close in the fourth.
Emmert the team for their growth and efforts. ‘It is always frustrating to lose, but I thought we played tough. I am proud of the way we competed.” Emmert said.
The Huskies also played Saturday, Feb. 8, in an endowment game at Lebanon, losing to the 5A Warriors 83-46.
The Cascade game marked the end of the first half of Sweet Home’s Oregon West Conference season. They will be back on the road Tuesday, Feb. 11, with a 5:30 p.m. game at Philomath (No. 9), then hosting No. 7 Stayton Friday, Feb. 14, also at 5:30.