The Philomath High School girls basketball team withstood a fourth-quarter comeback by Bandon on Saturday to win Marshfield’s South Coast Les Schwab Tournament, 44-39.
The Warriors (5-1) attacked the previously unbeaten 2A Tigers with a balanced offensive attack. Junior Zoee Howard led the way with 11 points on four field goals and 3 of 3 on free throws while sophomore Emily Taunisila, junior Anneka Steen and freshman Reagan Heiken each scored eight. Junior Mica Boynton scored seven.
Steen hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored all eight of her points in the first half to help Philomath take control early. Taunisila, meanwhile, scored all eight of her points in the second half, a performance that included 6 for 6 from the free-throw line. Boynton scored all seven of her points, which included a 3-pointer, in the second quarter.
Philomath led 28-13 at halftime and took a 16-point lead into the fourth quarter. Bandon refused to roll over and outscored the Warriors, 17-6, over the final eight minutes.
The Warriors were supposed to play undefeated Coquille in the championship game after the Class 3A Red Devils had advanced with wins over Hidden Valley and Scappoose.
“It was kind of a mess,” PHS coach Ben Silva said. “Coquille would have had too many games on their schedule so they couldn’t play today. So, Bandon filled in.”
Bandon is located just 24 miles south of Coos Bay so the school didn’t need to travel far to step in. Katelyn Senn had a game-high 15 points for the Tigers (3-1).
Steen was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Steen and Taunisila were both named to the all-tournament team.
“Zoee probably deserved all-tournament, too, but they only do two from each team,” Silva said.
Taunisila scored 30 points over the three games of the tournament and three others had 20-plus points — Howard with 26, Steen with 22 and Heiken with 20.
The tournament staged a 3-point contest with Taunisila finishing runner-up. Steen also competed and advanced as far as the semifinals.
Philomath will now step away from competition for an 11-day stretch before resuming the season at home for the Philomath Tournament on Dec. 27-29. The Warriors will play Sutherlin, Scappoose and Marist Catholic in the round-robin tournament.
