Editor's note: This story was updated at 7:25 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 to include the team's next opponent and a JV result in the scoring summary.
The Philomath High School girls basketball team advanced to the championship game of the 21st annual Les Schwab South Coast Tournament Friday afternoon in Coos Bay with a 45-31 victory over Junction City.
The Warriors (5-1) will next face Sutherlin, a 49-38 winner over Marshfield in the other semifinal, at 4 p.m. Saturday in the tournament’s finale.
Philomath had no issues advancing past Junction City (2-4) with a 24-10 lead by halftime. The Warriors took a 30-11 lead into the fourth quarter.
Nine players scored for the Warriors with senior Zoee Howard finishing with 11 points on three field goals, including a 3-pointer, and 4 of 8 on free throws. Senior Anneka Steen had eight points on four field goals. Sophomore Reagan Heiken and junior Isabelle Muir each added six.
On the boards, Steen and Heiken led the team with five and four, respectively. Heiken had seven assists and nine steals — both team highs.
Senior Kate Dickson led the Tigers with 11 points and senior Elise Hartle added nine. Junction City had 25 turnovers in the game.
It was the second time this season that PHS had defeated Junction City. The Warriors downed the Tigers 45-19 on Dec. 7.
The tournament held its 3-point contest and Steen and senior Mica Boynton represented PHS. Steen advanced past the first round but lost in the second.
