HOOD RIVER — Rex Putnam edged by visiting Hood River Valley, 35-30, in a physical girls basketball game Jan. 24 in Milwaukie.
The two teams, as of last week on the outside looking in at the Northwest Oregon Conference’s four automatic state playoff spots, went toe to toe in the low-scoring contest with the host team pulling away late. Putnam ended last week in fifth place in the NWOC with a 2-3 record (3-7 overall); Hood River was in sixth at 1-4, 7-8 overall.
Both teams played aggressive defense which accounted for the low final score. It was 3-1 Putnam after one quarter; HRV didn’t make a field goal until 5:25 remained in the second period.
Hood River took its first lead, 11-10, on Julia Rowan’s free throw early in the third quarter, but Putnam scored the next eight points to take an 18-11 lead. Bella Howe, who led HRV with 13 points, and Addi Van Metre each scored five points to spark an Eagle comeback over the final three minutes of the period and give the visitors a 21-18 advantage. It was 24-20 HRV after Van Metre made one of two free throws with 4:31 remaining, but Putnam scored seven straight and didn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the game.
Two Howe free throws pulled the Eagles within 30-27 with a little over a minute remaining, but Putnam made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 44 seconds.
Hood River was scheduled to play Parkrose and Milwaukie — the two teams which trail the Eagles in the NWOC standings — at home this week to finish off the first half of league play.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.