The Philomath High School girls basketball team went on a 26-4 run in the second quarter en route to a 68-30 victory on Tuesday evening at Estacada.
The Warriors improve to 6-5 on the season and will play at home for the first time in 40 days on Friday at 5:30 p.m. against Madras.
Philomath stumbled a bit out of the gate against the Rangers but still scored 17 points in the opening quarter. Freshman Emily Taunisila hit a 3-pointer and scored five, senior Abigail Brown hit a couple of hoops and four others contributed with baskets as the Warriors led 17-12.
But the real fireworks erupted in the second with Philomath able to build a 43-16 lead by halftime. Taunisila and Brown continued to score with 10 and eight points, respectively, through those eight minutes. Taunisila’s points included two more 3-pointers. Sophomore Mica Boynton and senior Mia Bennett buried 3-pointers as well in the second quarter.
Philomath let up on the gas a little in the second half but continued to have the advantage even as the coach cleared his bench.
Taunisila scored 17 points on six fields and 2 of 2 on free throws. Brown had 14 on six baskets and 2 of 4 on free throws. Sophomore Zoee Howard and Bennett each added seven.
Senior Hailie Couture saw her first game action in more than a month as she recovered from an injury.
Madras will bring a 7-5 record to Philomath for Friday’s matchup — the final nonconference game for the Warriors before Oregon West play begins.
