By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
ALBANY, Ore. — The Woodburn Boys Basketball team weathered the storm in the opening quarter against South Albany and turned it into momentum starting in the second quarter of their 74-49 victory over the Redhawks
Both squads, who entered the Mid-Willamette Conference league game Friday night tied for first-place at 4-0 in league play, were tied at 16. Each had the answers for the other. They traded baskets and defensive stops. But it wasn’t until the second quarter that Bulldogs were able to find a rhythm to start pulling away.
The goal for the Bulldogs was to hold their opponents to 12 points or less in a quarter. And though the first quarter they didn’t meet that goal, they did in the second and third quarters as they held South Albany to five points in the second quarter and nine in the third to take a 52-30 lead into the fourth quarter.
“We both really wanted it bad. They were knocking down shots. We were knocking down shots too with them, too. We had to find a new energy in the second quarter…(Head Coach Raul Veliz), he expects us to be great. We gave up 16 points in a quarter. Our goal is 12, and we just found that fifth gear,” said Anthony Figueredo.
Those two middle quarters were all Woodburn needed to seal their 5-0 start in league, and it’s their sixth win in their last seven games after starting the year 1-4.
Cruz Veliz led the Bulldogs with 20 points, DyLon Renteria scored 15 points, and Figueredo scored another 13 points for Woodburn. The Bulldogs will host McKay on Tuesday before traveling back to Albany to play West Albany on Friday.
Colin Cordle led all scorers with 27 points for South Albany. The Redhawks are on the road next week with a game at Dallas on Tuesday and finishing the week at Silverton on Friday.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
