It’s not everyday that a team plays the same opponent twice in three days, but thanks to a little snow and ice that’s exactly what the Scappoose boys basketball team was faced with when they took on and ultimately defeated Tillamook 76-51 on Monday night, Feb. 5, at Scappoose High School.
Indians head coach Robby Backus said that while the situation was certainly a bit odd, it wasn’t any more difficult — and in a way— made for somewhat of a simpler task.
“It’s not necessarily difficult, but it’s a little different for sure,” Backus said. “I felt like we went into that first game with a good plan and made some good mid-game adjustments, and I didn’t think there was much they could do differently with one day in-between games. So, I felt good coming into this game.”
And as it turned out, he was right to feel that way.
Despite a bit of a slow start, Scappoose turned a two-point first quarter deficit into a 10-point halftime lead and 12-point edge heading to the fourth quarter, then ultimately cruised to victory with mostly backups in the game’s final stanza.
Backus said the start and much of the first half was played at an unusual and—for them—an undesirable pace, but in the end said that being forced to do so could pay dividends for the team down the line.
“It wasn’t our typical game in the first half,” Backus said. “We kind of slowed it down and were really methodical on offense. We’re used to going fast paced with a lot of transition, but it showed the guys that we’re capable of doing that if we have to.”
The Indians were led by junior guard Quinton Olson who finished with 18 points, but got valuable contributions from six other Indians who tallied six or more points.
Evan Barham scored 12 points on four three-pointers; Colton Sprenger scored 11; Elijah Greenan Biggs scored seven; Miles Harrison tallied six; and Brayden Miller and Drew Butler combined to score 12 points and grab 19 rebounds. Olson, however, was the catalyst on this night, and Backus said in many ways he’s been doing the same all season.
“He’s kind of the glue of the team in ways,” Backus said. “He plays every possession incredibly hard, and offensively when he’s making shots he’s tough to guard. It’s tough taking him out of the game because he just kind of keeps things going the way they should and he’s the ultimate competitor.”
Olson scored both at the rim and from behind the arc, but early on neither he nor his teammates were attacking the basket the way their coach would’ve preferred.
“I felt like we settled a little bit when the paint was open all night,” Backus said. “I feel like we could’ve gotten to the rim every single shot, but really turned up the intensity in the second half and put it on them.”
In all, Backus said this night’s win, along with the win over this same Cheesemakers team the prior Saturday were steps in the right direction. Scappoose (10-8, 4-4) is currently in third place in the Cowapa League standings, a game back of second place Astoria, which is huge because the top two teams at the end of the year get automatic bids into the state playoffs. The coach said he believes they’re poised to make a run at that second spot, primarily based on the way in which his team has evolved over the past two months.
“We’re getting better every day and I think team chemistry is at an all-time high,” Backus said. “Everyone kind of understands their role and accepted that, so I feel really good going down the stretch in league and getting ready for the playoffs. I think the players are rejuvenated and energized.”
And what’s left to do in order to make the playoff goal a reality? Continued improvement, obviously. But also hard work and the ability to overcome nights when things simply might not be going your way.
“I think we just need to keep grinding and be a little more consistent,” Backus said. “Some nights we’re hot and some nights we just can’t make baskets. So, we need to find that consistency and of course stay healthy.”
Tanner Hoskins led Tillamook scorers with 20 points.
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