RECAPS
■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 1 Millers (11-1) went 2-0 last week, propelling them to the top spot in the Class 5A rankings. On Tuesday, the Millers beat 4A No. 12 Cascade (4-7) 57-52 to push the Cougars’ losing streak to five games. On Monday, the Millers took down 4A No. 1 Stayton (9-2) 56-31. The two wins extend the Millers’ winning streak to 10 games.
■ THURSTON: The No. 15 Colts (5-6) went 0-1 last week in their game against No. 19 Eagle Point (7-6). The Colts lost this matchup 51-41 after getting off to a rough start in the first quarter and never fully recovering. Senior guard Emmie Gerdrum had a standout night scoring 15 points while tying the school record for 3-pointers made in a game with four. Addi Nelson had seven points while leading the team in rebounds. This puts Thurston at 0-1 in Midwestern League play.
■ COTTAGE GROVE: The No. 13 Lions (9-4) went 1-1 last week, causing them to fall one spot in the Class 4A rankings. On Tuesday, the Lions lost their second matchup of the season to Class 3A No. 4 Creswell (9-4) 59-38. Senior guard Mariah Bailey had 13 points in the loss. The Lions bounced back on Friday, snagging a 47-11 win over No. 26 Marshfield (3-8) in their first game of Sky Em League play.
■ CRESWELL: The No. 4 Bulldogs (9-4) went 2-0 last week. They defeated Class 4A No. 13 Cottage Grove on Tuesday 59-38, then No. 5 Coquille on Saturday 40-28. Kylie Leonard and Mila Nguyen starred against the Lions, scoring 19 and 18 points, respectively. The duo got it done defensively as well, combining for eight steals. Elliette Kinney stood out against the Red Devils, putting up 23 points and six rebounds.
■ PLEASANT HILL: The No. 3 Billies (10-3) picked up two wins last week, going 2-0 against No. 12 Oakland (7-5) and No. 18 Toledo (6-5), both in Class 2A. The Billies beat the Oakers 38-24 on Friday and the Boomers 56-15 on Saturday. The wins boosted the Billies one spot in the Class 3A ranking. The Billies enter Mountain Valley Conference play on a four-game win streak.
PREVIEWS
■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 1 Millers have two games this week. First, they’ll host No. 28 Churchill (4-11) on Tuesday, after The Chronicle’s deadline. This would be the Millers’ first Midwestern League game of the season. On Friday, the Millers host No. 19 Eagle Point (7-6). The Eagles have already earned a league victory, beating Thurston last week.
■ THURSTON: The No. 15 Colts (5-6) play two road games this week. First, they travelled to No. 17 North Eugene (6-7) on Tuesday, then to No. 4 Crater (10-3) on Friday, Jan. 16. Getting both of these wins would be huge for the Colts after their loss to Eagle Point. The Colts are tied with the Highlanders in the Midwestern League rankings, and two spots ahead of them in the Class 5A rankings.
■ COTTAGE GROVE: The No. 13 Lions (9-4) have two home games this week. On Tuesday, the Lions hosted No. 24 Junction City (4-9), then face No. 7 North Bend (10-2) on Friday. The Lions are 1-0 in League play. If they want to build on this start, they must limit turnovers and second-chance points. In their wins, the Lions have allowed an average of only 28.3 points, while allowing an average of 60.3 in their losses. These extra points have come primarily from turnovers. They lost the turnover battle against Creswell 21-7 on Tuesday, which resulted in a 59-38 loss.
■ CRESWELL: The No. 4 Bulldogs (9-4) have three games this week. First, they went to No. 43 La Pine (3-10) on Tuesday before coming home to host No. 6 Sisters (11-3) on Friday. Finally, the Bulldogs face visiting No. 8 Cascade (8-4). The Bulldogs kick off Mountain Valley Conference play this week, and with four teams in the Top 10 of the Class 3A rankings, it projects to be a competitive one.
■ PLEASANT HILL: The No. 3 Billies (10-3) have two games this week. On Tuesday they went to No. 20 Elmira (8-5). On Friday, they host No. 7 Harrisburg (13-2). The Billies have been on a roll, winning their past four. The team has dealt with injuries and fatigue this season. The Billies have allowed an average of only 23.5 over this streak.
