By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
JEFFERSON, Ore.– Just the little things slowed down Jefferson in their season-opening contest against Pleasant Hill on Wednesday night.
They came out strong against the Billies, tied with the Eugene-based school after one at 10 and trailing Pleasant Hill by two by the halftime break. And that competitiveness continued into the second half. For a team who lost two key components from last year’s 3A State Fifth-Place team, with two subs on their bench, they were still in this game down 28-26 with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter.
“I think just knowing with a good team, we’ll be able to push into next week. We just got to work together, we can continue to build on getting better and not going through the motions,” said Aziza Saad.
Saad led the Lions with 22 points and had three three-pointers in the contest to open her Senior Season. Luella Campbell was the other Jefferson player to score in double-figures in the game Wednesday, scoring 12 points.
But it was the next three minute stretch in the third quarter that ultimately proved to be the deciding factor in what would be a 57-44 Pleasant Hill victory. An 11-3 run by the Billies, stemming from winning the rebounding battle, their press creating turnovers and hitting some timely three-pointers, swung momentum into their favor. Those three really created headaches throughout the game for the Lions as they trailed 39-29 with about a minute left in the third quarter.
Jefferson was able to get the game back to within two possessions entering the fourth quarter, and were right there within ten until late of Pleasant Hill, but they couldn’t get the ball rolling for one big run to pull to at least even with the Billies late.
With teams like Banks and Sutherlin still ahead on their preseason slate, the Lions are hoping that they’ll continue to see moments like this to learn from for when PacWest Conference play starts here soon.
“It’s a bunch of little things. Turnovers, free throws, Anna Crawford shot the ball so well tonight. They’re going to be able to have some great nights with her shooting like that. We got some things to work on and learn from,” said Jefferson Head Coach Zach Maison. “It’s going to be great, we know that we have to play well in league, so seeing P-Hill, seeing Banks, seeing Sutherlin, all on our preseason schedule…league is going to be super competitive and we’re going to be ready for it.”
Anna Crawford led the Billies with 20 points and hitting four three-pointers and Soleis Jones scored eight points for Pleasant Hill in the victory. The Billies will host Salem Academy on Friday while the Lions will host Banks onDecember 9.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
