Playing in a tournament over a thousand miles from home, Philomath High’s girls basketball team ended up defeating another Oregon school for the championship trophy.
And it wasn’t close.
The Warriors, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, went to 9-1 on the season with a 44-18 victory over Crook County to win the Clarke Cochran Christmas Classic Sunday in Ketchikan, Alaska.
“We played great defense throughout the weekend,” PHS coach Ben Silva said. “The games are physical up here but we handled that on the offensive end.”
Howard was recognized with the Most Valuable Player award for the tournament. Russell and Heiken were all-tournament selections.
“Reagan scored the ball really well and Zoee did as well, particularly in the second game,” Silva said. “(Anneka) Steen and Aspen got us going on the defensive end.”
Philomath advanced to the tournament’s title game with identical 46-17 wins over a pair of Alaska opponents — Haines and Fairbanks Lathrop. The Cowgirls, meanwhile, defeated Nome, 53-39, and Ketchikan, 48-43, to reach the finale.
But Crook County was no match for Philomath in the Sunday evening matchup. The Warriors led by just three points through the first quarter but took flight in the second and built a 24-11 lead by halftime. Sophomore Annaleise Brown was big in the second with five points off the bench and Heiken threw in four points as well.
In the third, junior Shaylee May hit a 3-pointer and scored five and Heiken hit a couple of more baskets as the Warriors pulled away for good by going on a 13-0 run. Philomath led 37-11 going into the fourth quarter.
Junior Kacy Widerholt scored seven to lead the Cowgirls (5-6).
Philomath’s girls will now take a break from competition for a week before resuming the season Jan. 7 at home vs. Crater, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 5A according to the most recent OSAAtoday coaches poll.
