The Philomath High boys basketball team faced an uphill battle from the opening tip Thursday night in a 71-46 loss to West Albany.
The Warriors found themselves trailing before the game even began when a technical foul was assessed during warmups after a player attempted to dunk — a violation of OSAA rules. West Albany’s Grey Nieman converted both free throws to open the scoring as part of a 7-0 run for the Bulldogs.
Gallery: PHS boys basketball vs. West Albany (Dec. 11, 2025)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s boys basketball loss at home vs. West Albany on Thursday.
“We got in that hole and I thought we did a good job in the second quarter to battle back and cut it to 12,” Philomath coach Blake Ecker said. “But then we kind of let it go again in the third and the fourth.”
West Albany dominated the opening quarter, scoring inside, outside and from the charity stripe to build a commanding 26-8 advantage.
Philomath showed resilience in the second quarter behind sophomore Cole Barron, who ignited a rally with a basket assisted by sophomore Dreyton Nuño and followed a short time later with a dunk.
Also over the eight-minute stretch, Nuño hit a shot from beyond the arc, junior Jamin Peters scored on a traditional three-point play, junior Kaden Howard hit a basket, junior Esias Sapp buried a 3-pointer and Peters scored again with 22 seconds left. Barron also hit a couple of three throws.
The momentum was short-lived, however, as West Albany regained control in the second half, outscoring Philomath 19-9 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Sapp led the Warriors with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers and a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the foul line.
“We need some help from everybody to take the load off each others’ shoulders,” Ecker said.
Peters posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a physical performance under the basket.
“He’s not going to back down to anybody,” Ecker said.
Barron also made his presence felt with nine points and 12 rebounds.
“He’s really becoming a man inside there,” Ecker said. “He set a couple of really nice screens … and he got a little dunk there, too.”
Nuño started at point guard for the third consecutive game and contributed seven points, including a 3-pointer.
“He’s coming along and hit a couple of shots for us,” Ecker said. “Sometimes he over penetrates and gets himself in trouble but he’s improving game by game, he really is.”
The Warriors were forced to adjust their lineup after learning that senior Josiah Peters — described by Ecker as “our heart and soul” — would be unavailable for the game.
For West Albany (3-0), Nieman paced the Bulldogs with a game-high 28 points on nine field goals, including four 3-pointers, and went 6-for-6 from the foul line. Senior Tyson Walker added 10 points and freshman Ares Boulware came off the bench to score 10.
The Warriors (1-2) will look to bounce back Tuesday when they host South Albany in another nonleague matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“We’ve got to improve by taking care of the basketball and running our offense,” Ecker said. “We could be a lot better … sometimes they’re not listening very well.”
West Albany 71, Philomath 46
Thursday, Dec. 11, at Philomath HS
WEST ALBANY (71)
Brett Gilles 2 1-2 5, Grey Nieman 9 6-6 28, Jonah Lasselle 1 5-6 7, Robert Southard 3 0-4 8, Tyson Walker 5 0-0 10, Ares Boulware 4 1-2 10, Koda Fredricks 0 0-0 0, Jordan Walker 1 1-2 3, Colton Hubert 0 0-0 0, Aiden Hammond 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 14-22 71.
PHILOMATH (46)
Dreyton Nuño 3 0-0 7, Kaden Howard 1 0-2 2, Esias Sapp 3 4-4 12, Cole Barron 3 3-6 9, Jamin Peters 5 1-3 11, Ace Gerding 0 0-0 0, Hamish McConnell 1 0-0 2, Lucas Lewetag 0 0-0 0, Nathan Seits 1 0-0 3, Isaiah Hood 0 0-0 0, Hudson Jones 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 8-15 46.
Team 1 2 3 4 F West Albany (3-0) 26 13 19 13 71 Philomath (1-2) 8 19 9 10 46
3-Point Goals—West Albany 7 (Nieman 4, Southard 2, Boulware), Philomath 4 (Sapp 2, Nuño, Seits). Fouled Out—None. Total Fouls—West Albany 16, Philomath 18. Technicals—Philomath.