Boys basketball previews
#15 COTTAGE GROVE (5-6)
■ Tipping off: The Lions head into their first Sky-Em League game of the season against No.4 Marist Spartans. The Spartans (6-3) roll into league from the momentum of winning the Battle of 1-5 and a successful preseason. This will be a tough start to the league for the Lions. Offensive standouts Nathin Lemon, Trevor Cooper, Josh Bruner will need to rally and make big moves to stand toe-to-toe with the Spartans.
#3 CRESWELL (8-3)
■ Tipping off: The Bulldogs seal off their last non-league game against Lowell this Thursday. The No.24 Class 2A team is experiencing a season of ups and downs thus far. This will be smooth sailing for leader Tyler Whitson and his cast of younger, talented players this season. This can be a great opportunity to polish their skills before they open up the Mountain Valley Conference league next week.
#30 SPRINGFIELD (0-9)
■ Tipping off: The Millers open up the Midwestern League with No.8 Churchill Lancers. Despite having a mixed preseason, the Lancers have sustained a consistent top-10 ranking in the early season. They might pose an early league challenge for the Millers, who have struggled all season. Though the Millers have been known to be quick, scrappy, and well-balanced defensively. They may have to lean on those strengths as they approach league.
#3 THURSTON (9-2)
■ Tipping off: The Colts open up the Midwestern League on the road against No.24 Eagle Point. The Eagles (4-7) have been on a five-game losing streak recently and performed poorly at their holiday tournament in California. This may be the opportunity for the Colts to increase their record and spirits after a couple of recent losses that bumped them down from their No.1 status and the loss of standout player Nate Stiffler.
Boys basketball recaps
■ Cottage Grove lost to the Phoenix Pirates last Friday 73-54.
■ Creswell edged out North Bend 57-55 last Friday. Tyler Whitson had a double-double and led in points (20), rebounds (17), assists (6), and blocks (1). Darien Dewey forced three turnovers overall.
■ Pleasant Hill defeated Caitlin Gabel last Friday.
■ Springfield lost to Willamette 53-40.
Girls basketball previews
#17 COTTAGE GROVE (6-5)
■ Tipping off: The Lions open Sky-Em league with No.10 Marist Catholic on Friday. The Spartans (6-3) have had a promising season thus far. This match-up will be tight for both teams. Look out for the plays of Makya Alsup, Mariah Bailey, and Kylee Cordin.
#22 CRESWELL (4-6)
■ Tipping off: The Bulldogs play host to Lowell to start to close out non-league this Friday. The Lowell Devils have been struggling this season as they sit at a No.32 ranking. This can be a good opportunity for the Bulldogs to “sustain their effort and energy” and gain some momentum as they open up the Mountain Valley Conference. Coach Tyler Hollingsworth said that his goal with these last non-league games is to “keep building on that energy that could help get us some confidence right before we start league.”
#7 PLEASANT HILL(8-4)
■ Tipping off: The Billies close out non-league with the Oakland Oakers on Friday. The Oakers (6-5) will be a tough challenge for the Billies looking to start off the Mountain Valley Conference strong. However, though it’s been a slow burn for the Billies, they are on an upward trajectory with recent stellar offensive performances from Claire Crawford, Cheyenne Green, and Brooke Weimer.
#4 SPRINGFIELD (6-4)
■ Tipping off: The Millers hit the road to battle one of the toughest games of the season: 6A Clackamas Cavaliers. The Millers saw the Cavaliers not too long ago at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona. The Cavaliers also recently swept their holiday tournament and sit at No.2 in 6A with a crisp (7-2) record. Lead scorers Sailor Hall, Darissa Romero-Ah Sam, and Ikunaday Filipe will need to rally with everything they have for this one.
#20 THURSTON (4-5)
Tipping off: The Colts open the Midwestern League on the road this Friday against Eagle Point. The Eagles (6-4) and the Colts have been both experiencing a season of highs and lows. With a fair matchup like this, the Colts should be able to stand their own against the Eagles. Look out for standouts Bridgette Nault, Gracie Nissen, and Payton Tovey.
Girls basketball recaps
■ Cottage Grove lost to the Phoenix Pirates last Friday 56-38.
■ Pleasant Hill downed Corbett last Friday 48-39. Claire Crawford 14 points 8 rebounds; Cheyenne Green 17 points 11 rebounds; Brooke Weimer 4 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
■ Thurston edged out Class 6A Lakeridge Pacers last week 44-42.
Wrestling recaps
■ Cottage Grove placed 4th at the King of the Hill Invitational last weekend. Pleasant Hill placed 5th, Creswell 9th and Springfield 18th.
Three athletes from Cottage Grove placed in the top 10 with Carter Bengtson (144) taking home 1st for the title, Lincoln Krasinski (175) with 8th and Jeffery Conklin (132) with 10th. Creswell’s Maverick Wells (175) took 6th.
