By Mike Warner
For The New Era
Lebanon’s boys lost close games to Silverton and Corvallis last week to drop down in the early Mid-Willamette Conference standings.
The Warriors came into this week 3-2, 6-5 overall after falling 67-60 on the road at Corvallis Friday, Jan. 16, and 43-41 at home against Silverton on Tuesday.
“I sure wish they (the team) could pay themselves with a win because they deserve it,” Coach Casey VandenBos said after the Corvallis loss.
Early in the game, Corvallis offense was working to perfection and the hosts had a 21-11 lead at end of the first quarter.
To Lebanon’s credit, the boys didn’t fold under the Corvallis onslaught.
The Warriors stuck to their game plan and slowly chipped away at the lead, cutting it to five, 32-27 at the half.
The Spartans extended their lead to nine, 54-45, at the end of the third quarter.
But Lebanon wasn’t done yet. The Warriors continued to fight back and eventually tied the game at 58-all with just over two minutes left to play. Then the Spartans started making trips to the free-throw line, which allowed them to pull away at the end of the game.
Lebanon shot very well from the field. 47.5% (19/40) and 27.3% from three (6/22) and 80% (16/20) from the free throw line.
The Warriors had 19 field goals resulting from 11 assists, although their five steals were below their average for the season.
Gunner Miller led the scoring with 26 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Logan Large had 15points, three rebounds and three assists. Ryan Robinson had nine points, two rebounds and three assists. Finn VandenBos added eight points, and six rebounds.
Early on, five teams boast winning records in the early MVC going: West Albany (4-0), Central (4-0), Crescent Valley (3-1) Corvallis, (3-1) and Lebanon (3-2).
The Warriors get a chance this week to see if they can change those numbers with games at West Albany on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and at home against Central on Friday Jan. 23.
Silverton 43, Lebanon 41
The Warriors struggled against Silverton’s tenacious man-to-man defense, which generally stifled Lebanon’s offense for the entire game on Jan. 13.
The game was close throughout the first half, with neither team establishing a solid lead. Silverton controlled the third quarter leading by six going into the final stanza. Lebanon chipped away at the lead in the fourth quarter but missed several last-minute shots to let the Foxes escape with the win.
Silverton used its height to control the tempo of the game, forcing many Lebanon errors and limiting the Warriors’ shooting to 30% from the field and only 7% from behind the three – both considerably lower than their season averages.
“Hard to win when you go 2-26 from the three,” VandenBos said.
Even then, the game was in the balance until the end.
The Warriors had only two players scoring in double figures.
Miller had 23 points on 7-for-18 shooting and contributed eight rebounds and two steals.
Large scored 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting, with six rebounds and four steals.
