Staff report
Columbia Gorge News
HOOD RIVER — Hood River Valley’s (HRV’s)three-game week to start Northwest Oregon Conference play included contests against the league’s top two girls basketball teams.
The Eagles (4-7 overall, 1-2 NWOC) lost at Wilsonville and La Salle Prep, but earned a mid-week win at home against Hillsboro. Coach Zach Pauls’ team was overwhelmed by Wilsonville’s full-court press and two-platoon system in an 80-27 loss on Jan. 5. HRV bounced back in its league home opener against Hillsboro two days later, pulling out a 34-30 victory against the Spartans (2-1, 2-8).
Hood River ended its three-games-in-five-days week by scoring just five second-half points in a 44-21 loss at La Salle on Jan. 9. The Eagles led 11-10 after one quarter but were outscored 34-10 the rest of the game. La Salle outscored HRV 10-2 to close out the second period and take control of the contest. The game was tied 14-14 when back-to-back HRV turnovers led to a Ella Manson three-pointer and Ava Bergeson breakaway layup for the Falcons.
After the halftime break, HRV’s only points were off an Addi Van Metre three-point play with 5:20 left in the third period and Isa Rivera’s field goal in the fourth quarter. Hood River started well as Bella Howe made two, first-quarter three-pointers, and Emily Doss scored all seven of her points before the halftime break.
The home win over Hillsboro snapped a four-game losing streak for the Eagles. Hood River was able to move the ball effectively against the Spartans’ defense, getting three looks at the basket within a few feet to take a 6-4 lead.
Hillsboro picked up its defensive pressure full court, which caused HRV some problems and enabled the visitors to pull away to a 12-6 lead after one quarter.
It was 14-6 before senior guard Mia Garcia, coming off a nine-point effort against Wilsonville, fueled HRV’s comeback. Her three-pointer from the right wing at the six-minute point of the second period broke the Eagle scoring drought. Honey Wampler-Bryan found Van Metre alone underneath on a press-break opportunity, which led to a Hillsboro timeout.
Rivera, who led HRV in scoring in its league opener at Wilsonville with 11 points, surged her way to the basket, converting a three-point play to give the Eagles a 15-14 lead. Van Metre added a fastbreak basket, Howe nailed a three-pointer from the left wing and Rivera added a steal and breakaway layup and Hood River completed its 16-2 second period advantage.
Hillsboro’s 6-0 pulled the team to within 24-22 in the third quarter. But HRV closed out the period on an 8-0 burst to lead by 10 with eight minutes to play. The Eagles hung on despite not scoring for the final 6:40 of the game. Doss led HRV in scoring with eight points.
HRV was scheduled to play visiting Canby (7-4, 2-1) on Jan. 12 before resuming its two-game-a-week schedule Jan. 20 vs. Centennial (3-7, 0-2) and Jan. 22 at Putnam (3-7, 1-0).
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