Set up to receive a pass from Anneka Steen just outside the paint with the game tied and under 30 seconds to play Wednesday, Reagan Heiken dribbled into the lane and nearly let the ball get away before recovering in time to attempt a layup.
The ball didn’t go through the hoop but she was fouled and would get an opportunity at the free-throw line to try to give the Warriors the lead with 23.4 seconds left against 3A power Amity.
Gallery: PHS girls basketball vs. Amity (Jan. 3, 2024)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 48-47 girls basketball win over Amity on Wednesday.
So, was the freshman nervous at all with the game on the line?
“Not very,” she said. “I tried just to not think about it and make it a normal free throw. I figured if I stayed calm, that would be better than overthinking about needing to make it.”
Heiken buried the first free throw for a one-point lead that would end up being the final score in a 48-47 PHS victory.
Said Warriors coach Ben Silva, “It’s a big moment for a freshman to step up to the line and hit the one that makes a difference in the final score, so that’s cool to see.”
Amity (9-2) had a chance to get the win in the final few seconds. Coming out of a timeout with 10.6 seconds left, sophomore Eliza Nisly drove in the lane and split Zoee Howard and Heiken but was challenged at the hoop by Ahnika Tryon. Nisly appeared to lose a handle on the ball and it sailed out of bounds as the final buzzer sounded.
The official closest to the play immediately signaled possession to Philomath. But after conferring with the other two officials, the ball was given to Amity with 1.5 seconds on the clock.
“We assumed it was our ball and then all of a sudden it’s going the other way,” Silva said, who when asked about the call said he didn’t receive any explanation. “We were trying to make subs for us offensively, which is hard, but whatever. It is what it is and it worked out.”
Amity in-bounded the ball in the lane but a shot attempt was well off the mark and the Warriors got the win.
The Warriors had survived a torrid comeback by the visitors in the second half. Philomath led by 10 points at the break.
“They’re a good team and they’re well-coached … we knew they weren’t going to give up and they brought some pressure,” Silva said. “It was good to have a close game and be able to finish out with a win.”
Howard was a force early and scored 11 of the team’s first 14 points.
“She’s really coming on and has been shining in the last few games — especially on the offensive end,” Silva said. “She does such a good job of getting herself in the right position to be successful.”
Two 3-pointers by Emily Taunisila, one by Steen and baskets late in the second quarter by Tryon and Mica Boynton helped Philomath to a 25-15 lead.
The Warriors took a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter but the game’s tone changed in the first two minutes when Alyssa McMullen hit back-to-back 3-pointers, Mya Haarsma scored after a PHS backcourt turnover and Kylie Wilson sank a jumper. The fast 10-0 run pulled the visiting Warriors to within 42-40.
“We had a little stretch where we had some turnovers we’d like to have back but I thought we did a fantastic job of battling back,” Silva said. “When you’re playing teams like Amity, they’re never out of it … they were able to shoot and provide full-court pressure so you’ve got to keep going. And that’s part of the learning process that we’re going to have to go through with this team.”
Added Heiken, “We had a hard time getting it past half-court for a while there. We haven’t had many full-court presses that we’ve gone up against.”
Philomath went up 44-40 with 5:05 left on a Howard basket but Amity countered with success at the foul line to pull to within one point at the 3:53 mark.
Steen, who had a major impact on the game in the second half, buried a 3-pointer with 2:50 remaining for a 47-43 lead. Steen scored 10 of her 13 points in the second half.
“Steen shot the ball really well, played really well,” Silva said. “She got into foul trouble in the first half and was a little frustrated not being able to be in the game.”
Amity’s McMullen and Nisly scored on the other end, however, to tie the game, 47-47, with 1:12 left. A short time later, Heiken was at the free-throw line to put PHS back on top.
“When we were able to handle the pressure outside, we were able to get good looks at the hoop,” Silva said. “I told them to just be a little bit more patient and handle the pressure, get the ball inside and we’ll be able to finish at the hoop.”
Heiken’s impact on the program as a freshman has been immediate from the season’s first game.
“I’ve been playing since I was like 6,” she said. “I do almost year-round basketball … I’m pleased and hope to keep working hard and getting better and eventually start in the future.”
Heiken has been contributing most often this season as the first player off the bench.
“She came in and gave us some good energy in the second half off the bench,” Silva said. “Ahnika Tryon was a little under the weather and so she didn’t quite have the energy but I thought Reagan gave us a spark in the second half.”
Philomath is scheduled to next hit the floor at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at home against Estacada.
