Just 52 seconds into Thursday’s girls basketball game, visiting Pendleton had a pair of 3-pointers to its credit for an early 6-2 lead. Could it be a sign of things to come?
After all, Pendleton came into the contest after a drive from the other end of the state and possessed an element of the unknown. Were these Buckaroos the team that scored 81 in their season opener or the one version that stumbled to 28 in home loss?
Gallery: PHS girls basketball vs. Pendleton (Dec. 7, 2023)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 51-22 girls basketball victory over Pendleton on Thursday.
It didn’t take long for the answers to materialize. The Warriors went on a 17-0 run and took a lead that they would never relinquish. By halftime, Philomath led by 19 points and went on to a 51-22 victory.
Senior Ahnika Tryon felt the team had more energy on the floor.
“I think we really try to work as a team and come together to help each other instead of trying to just go to the basket,” Tryon said afterward. “Slowing in down and running our offense really helped with our outcome.”
Coach Ben Silva certainly saw improvement with the type of play he wants to see out of the squad.
“It looked completely different than our first two games,” he said. “We finally had some energy … we’ve talked about needing some energy coming out of the gate.”
Accompanying the energy factor was just a lot of good all-around play on both ends of the floor. The Warriors had an effective attack offensively with ball movement leading to high-percentage shots. On defense, the visitors failed to achieve any type of rhythm with Philomath plugging holes all over the floor.
“We did a fantastic job sharing the ball … a lot of our buckets were off assists,” Silva said.
Sophomore Emily Taunisila was in the zone a 17-point performance that included 3-pointers in each of the first three quarters
“She scored at all three levels … mid-range, at the hoop and with 3s,” Silva said.
Unlike the first two games, Taunisila avoided foul trouble.
“I think maybe she put a little bit too much pressure on herself in the last couple of games and today she just went out and played and looked like she’s been looking in practice,” Silva said. “But yeah, not being in foul trouble helps out as well. It’s hard to get a flow going when you’re in and out of the game due to fouls.”
Tryon was a key contributor in the first quarter when Philomath began to build its lead by scoring seven of her nine points.
“Tryon did a good job of running and finishing up at the hoop,” Silva said. “We need that from her, we need a little bit of energy from her — that’s one of the best things she can bring.”
Pendleton regrouped to a degree after that 17-0 run in the first quarter. The Backaroos pulled back to within 19-14 early in the second quarter thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers. But the final six minutes of the half were all Warriors with Philomath outscoring the visitors, 16-2.
In the second half, Philomath continued to dominate with Taunsila continuing her contributions to the scoring column along with support from a handful of other players. The biggest factor, however, was on defense with the Warriors allowing only one field goal the entire second half.
Philomath had regrouped in a hurry after Tuesday’s 20-point loss to 5A South Albany and provided momentum going forward.
“We don’t have any games this next week but it’s good having that motivation going into practice and then to Marshfield,” Tryon said, referring to the Les Schwab South Coast Tournament Dec. 14-16 at Coos Bay.
