The Philomath High School boys basketball team got off to a quick start in the first quarter but the momentum shifted to Junction City in the second quarter and then the home team pulled away to start the third quarter en route to a 60-49 victory in the season opener for both schools.
The Warriors (0-1) had a 14-12 lead at the end of the first with seniors Jacob Peters, Preston Kramer and Connor Harms accounting for all of the team’s points. Junction City had answers, however, took a 27-22 lead into the break. Three-pointers by seniors Keivon Riley and Avery Thomas sparked the Tigers in the second quarter.
Junction City (1-0) opened the second half with a 7-1 run and Philomath couldn’t keep pace to fall into a double-digit hole just two minutes into the third. Harms scored out of a timeout to cut the Tigers’ lead to nine points but Junction City’s Riley and senior Jack Gambee hit back-to-back 3-pointers to energize the home gymnasium.
At the end of the third quarter, Junction City’s lead stood at 44-30.
In the fourth, the Tigers responded to Philomath’s increased productivity on offense to hang on for an 11-point win. Junction City saw success from the perimeter and had eight 3-pointers in the victory.
Riley finished with 20 points, Gambee had 14 and Thomas finished with 13.
Kramer and Peters scored 40 of Philomath’s 49 points with 20 apiece. Kramer scored his 20 on seven field goals, two of those 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and 4 of 5 on free throws. Peters had seven field goals, two of those 3-pointers, for his 20.
Philomath will play its home opener at 7 p.m. Tuesday against South Albany.
