The Philomath High School girls basketball team improved to 3-0 in league play Friday night with a 52-15 victory against an overmatched Sweet Home squad.
The No. 3 Warriors dominated from the opening tip-off and had leads of 14 after the first and 30 at halftime. Philomath shutout the home-court Huskies in the second, 16-0, and allowed no more than six points in any one quarter.
The Warriors were missing one of their regular starters but freshman Reagan Heiken stepped in and ended up with a game-high 17 points on eight field goals and 1 of 3 on free throws. Junior Zoee Howard also hit double figures with 10 points on three baskets and 4 of 5 from the foul line. Sophomore Emily Taunisila had a 3-pointer in the first quarter and finished with eight points.
Coach Ben Silva cleared the bench in this one, including two junior varsity players that he brought up to get in some varsity minutes.
The Warriors (12-3 overall) will stay home for a 7 p.m. Monday game against No. 6 Stayton. The Eagles will enter the contest with records of 11-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference. Stayton lost 42-32 to Cascade this past Tuesday and followed on Friday with a 58-13 win over Newport.
Following the Stayton game, Philomath will then face No. 9 Cascade. The game in the PHS gym is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Cougars will enter next week with records of 9-5 overall, 3-0 in the Oregon West.
