In the second quarter with Philomath’s girls basketball team out to a big lead Thursday on visiting North Marion, coach Ben Silva decided to go a little deeper into his bench.
Junior Cali Cannon checked in and showed talent at working the ball on offense and flying around on defense. Sophomore Shaylee May also got into the game and seemed to be around the ball much of the time.
Gallery: PHS girls basketball vs. North Marion (Feb. 8, 2024)
A collection of photos from the Philomath High girls basketball team’s 54-27 win over North Marion on Thursday
With 41 seconds left in the half, Cannon fed the ball to May for two points as the Warriors went up, 28-10.
“We were able to give some other kids opportunities and earlier in the game,” Silva said after Philomath’s 54-27 victory. “It wasn’t like they just got in in the fourth quarter, they came in in the first half and kept our momentum going, were able to score and defend effectively.”
Philomath’s five starters and its top two players off the bench typically get a lot of minutes on the floor. In addition to Cannon and May, freshman had an effective appearance with a couple of baskets. Sophomore Isabelle Muir and junior Hannah Bennett also saw minutes.
“I have faith in all those girls,” Silva said. “Sometimes they don’t get as many opportunities but I know if the time comes, they’re going to be ready to step up.”
Philomath’s first two players off the bench, freshman Reagan Heiken and junior Mica Boynton, were the team’s top two scorers with 17 and eight points, respectively.
“We’re really deep but we have some kids that are really tough and provide a lot of things for us and end up getting a lot of minutes,” Silva said.
Heiken was especially potent inside with eight baskets and a free throw.
“She comes off the bench and gives us a good spark,” Silva said. “It seems that maybe she’s overlooked a little bit since she doesn’t start.”
Boynton’s eight points included a 3-pointer for the team’s first points of the fourth quarter.
Junior Zoee Howard and senior Ahnika Tryon each added six.
“They were able to give us some good looks on the defensive end,” Silva said about the Huskies. “They ran a lot of zone and we were able to practice some of the things we’ve been working on.”
Senior Brookelynn Curths led the Huskies (9-12 overall, 2-5 Oregon West) with 10 points.
Philomath (16-3, 7-0) is sitting at No. 3 in the OSAA rankings behind Astoria and Henley. Stayton and Cascade — the Warriors’ last two regular-season opponents on Feb. 15 and Feb. 20 — represent Philomath’s biggest threats to the conference title.
Up next for the Warriors will be a nonconference matchup at Class 3A’s Westside Christian, a private school out of Tigard. The Eagles are having a competitive season with an 18-3 overall record heading into a Friday game against Marshfield.
“They’re a top-end 3A school so it should be a good game,” Silva said. “It was an extra game to add — we had some games canceled — so it was a way to find somebody competitive to play.”
Mike Hood, Philomath’s first-year athletic director, arranged for the game to be added to the schedule. Hood spent six years at Western Christian with AD and coaching among his responsibilities.
