HOOD RIVER — Hood River Valley’s girls basketball team won twice away from home this past week, enabling the Eagles to pull back into fifth place in the Northwest Oregon Conference.
HRV was never challenged in a Jan. 27, 66-16, win at Parkrose, and the Eagles handled host Milwaukie three days later, 43-24. The Milwaukie win was the third in the past four games for Hood River.
The Eagles are 7-9 overall and 4-4 in the nine-team NWOC — which starts the second half of league games this week.
Against Milwaukie, Hood River took a 9-7 lead late in the opening period and would not trail again. The Mustangs (4-10, 2-6) are not a pressing team — something which has given Hood River problems this season. The Eagles were able to get into their offensive sets comfortably, especially after they survived an early 7-4 deficit. Coach Zach Pauls called a timeout, and Bella Howe promptly tied the game on the ensuing inbounds play with a three-pointer from the left wing.
Addi Van Metre scored the next two baskets — off assists from Emily Doss and Aulive Fey — as Hood River took an 11-7 lead after the opening period. Mia Garcia’s three-pointer midway through the second quarter prompted Milwaukie Coach Craig Sneed to call a timeout with his team trailing, 15-7.
The eight-minute scoring drought ended for the Mustangs on their next possession, but HRV would outscore Milwaukie 6-3 to close out the quarter and finish with a 21-13 lead. The advantage would quickly balloon to 19 points, as HRV outscored the hosts 14-2 over the first seven minutes of the second half. Van Metre scored seven of her team’s points and assisted on two other baskets during that decisive span.
The junior forward would finish with 14 points to lead all scorers. Doss added nine points, seven coming in the second half.
Hood River trailed 3-2 in the opening minute against Parkrose before outscoring the Broncos 20-4 the rest of the period. Coach Pauls substituted freely throughout the contest, allowing playing time for all 12 players who suited up for the contest.
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