Sprague, West roll in their CVC boys wins; West, Sprague girls also winners
The Friday night games mark six league contests for most teams
The race for the post season continued Friday night in the latest Central Valley Conference basketball contests. One thing is certain: nothing has been settled.
Sprague Boys 71, North Salem 35
The first time Sprague squared off with North Salem, the Olympians squeezed out a five point victory over the Vikings. This time around, the Olympians left no doubt about the outcome very early in the contest.
Led by three Olys in double-figures, Sprague raced out to a 28-12 lead after one quarter—and expanded the margin every period before cruising in for a decisive 71-35 victory at North High.
Although he didn’t call it his team’s best game in CVC play, Coach Jordan Graneto did say his players met a long term of goal of playing a complete game.
“We did a better job this game controlling the offensive glass, finding Mav (Hunyh)on the 3 point line, and containing dribble penetration. We also did a lot better job offensively executing vs their multiple defenses that they (North Salem) ran.”
Sprague was up 49-18 at halftime, and played substitutes for extended minutes in the second half.
Leading scorers for the Olympians were junior guard Jarod Stanley with 17 points, senior guard Grayson Long with 16, and junior post Dukkati Witherspoon with 12.
North was paced by Huyunh, who was the only Viking in double figures with 12.
Sprague (5-1) will host South Salem next Tuesday, while North (0-6) will play at McNary (1-4).
West Salem Boys 68, South Salem 66
Another nail-biting boys basketball game Friday night in the CVC. South Salem came into Friday’s contest against West Salem looking to take down the conference-leading Titans. But West stepped up late when it counted to claim a two-point victory and remain atop the conference standings.
Senior Connor Oertel had 22 points, point guard Jackson Leach added 17, and sophomore post Demari Hall scored 14 as West Salem held off South Salem for a two-point road victory.
West Salem coach Travis Myers says some late mental errors by the Titans made the game closer than it should have been. West was up 67-61 in the closing minutes, but South got some shot opportunities to tighten up the game.
Still, Myers says his team learned from their miscues.
“We did some good things in the second half on both sides of the ball. We’re going through a tough stretch, but we know what needs to be done to get ourselves right.”
South Salem’s Tko Westbrook was one of four Saxons in double figures with 17 points on the night. Teagan Scott had 14 points for South, Jack Lepray contributed 12, and Kevin Semm added 11.
West Salem (6-0) has scheduled a non-league contest for next Tuesday with #4 Liberty of Hillsboro at West. The Titans are rated #13 in the latest power rankings.
South (2-3) faces another big challenge with a game Tuesday at Sprague (5-1).
Sprague (girls) 65, North Salem 30
The fourth place Sprague Olympians cemented their spot in the CVC standings Friday night with a decisive home victory over fifth place North Salem.
Carly Skogstad had 30 points for Sprague in what Olys coach Kevan Hanson described as a bit of a rough and ugly game. Sprague led the game 33-15 at halftime, and extended the lead after intermission with some solid defense that led to many transition points.
Viking senior Simone Richardson topped North scoring with 15 points.
North (0-6) hosts McNary on Tuesday. Sprague (2-4) travels to South Salem (3-2) on Tuesday for the south-side rivalry game.
West Salem Girls 67, South Salem 43
Emma Zuniga scored 21 points, and West Salem continued their chase for another CVC girls basketball title with 67-43 win over South Salem. The Titans posted the win on Coach Katie Singleton’s birthday.
West held a narrow 28-21 advantage at halftime, and South Salem cut the lead to five in the third quarter before the Titans went on an extended run to stretch their lead for the victory.
In addition to Zuniga’s 22 points, West got double digit scoring performances from Karlee Martirano (12 points) and Chica Casas (10).
For South Salem, Emma Burlison topped all scorers with 12 points and six rebounds. Katie Paterson chipped in with seven points.
The Titans improved to 5-1 in CVC play, a half game up on idle McNary. The Celtics surprised West with a 74-67 victory in their rivalry on January 19th earlier in the season.
West has a scheduled bye next Tuesday, while South Salem will entertain Sprague in CVC action.