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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (May 27, 2021)
Cottage Grove Sentinel Sports & Leisure B1 THURSDAY | MAY 27, 2021 We’re trying this again A year removed from the state tournament that wasn’t, the Lions’ girls basketball team looks to earn another shot ful call came -- were devas- tated. Countless tears were At first, it must have seemed like some kind of shed, and the knowledge that just about every oth- sick joke. Even now, the memo- er basketball player in the ry of that day brings Erin nation was going through Royse to tears. As an assis- something similar was but mild com- tant coach In some with Cot- “We’re ironing out the fort. ways, Royse tage Grove’s 2019-20 wrinkles, and we’re b e l i e v e s , feeling girls’ bas- playing to have fun,” that left a lasting k e t b a l l team, Royse Royse said. “This is just mark on all and the Li- a very different year.” involved. “I think ons found ever ybody thems elves aboard a bus bound for the walked away from there state tournament following with a little of their heart smashed, broken, after an electrifying season. “We were the first game working so hard,” she said. Last week, the Lions fi- against Philomath,” she recalls. “Steve (Eastburn, nally returned to the court, the Lions’ head coach last this time with Royse at the season) was at the head helm following the resigna- coaches’ meeting, and he tion of Eastburn. They’re called us on the bus and hoping for another tour- said, ‘We need to let the nament trek, though with players know that it’s been a better outcome than last canceled, and we have to spring. And though they’ll call parents, because some be playing to win, Royse of them are probably on says they’ll also be focusing on fun with the memory of their way up.” The growing threat of a lost opportunity still so the coronavirus pandem- easy to call to mind. Of course, in an abbrevi- ic, and of hosting large events that could become ated six-week season start- “super-spreaders” of the ing in late-spring, mere virus, had prompted the days removed from the end cancelation of the state of softball and track season tournament and just about and with plenty of modifi- every other major event in cations meant to minimize the country all at once. Of Covid risk, the 2021 cam- course, the Lions – whose paign is bound to bring bus Royse says was only surprises. about a mile away from the see GIRLS on B3 tournament when the fate- By Jon Stinnett Cottage Grove Sentinel Draped in Creswell defenders, Teanna Child fights toward the rim. Lions battle back, but bulldogs prove too feisty Boys’ 2021 campaign begins at home vs. Creswell By Jon Stinnett Cottage Grove Sentinel Lion fans arriving late to Thursday’s meetup be- tween the Cottage Grove and Creswell boys basket- ball teams could have been forgiven for thinking they were already looking at a lost cause. Indeed, the Bulldogs jumped on the Lions from the opening tipoff, and before long, Creswell had opened up a yawning 15-3 lead. But if Cottage Grove had doubts about its abil- ity to keep the game inter- esting, they didn’t let them show. The Bulldogs kept pour- ing it on, and they led 29- 10 not far into the second quarter. The Lions needed a spark to keep things from getting downright ridicu- lous. That’s when Jayden Cameron caught fire. During an inspired 12-0 run, Cameron drained buckets from all angles, and his team responded right along with him. By half- time, the 5-11 junior had led Cottage Grove nearly all the way back, to a deficit of just 34-30. “He really stepped for- ward for us offensively,” said Lions Head Coach Seth Hutchison. “We had a couple guys out, and he took a leadership role, a role that’s going to be his all year long.” The Lions came out a bit sluggish to start the second half, however; Creswell drained five unanswered points to start the half, and a few untimely turnovers gave Creswell extra chanc- Athlete of the Week es that they capitalized on again and again. Still, Cot- tage Grove battled. Trailing by eight to start the fourth quarter, the Li- ons cut the lead to six before the Bulldogs again pulled ahead to a lead they’d never relinquish. Creswell went on to win, 59-53. Though a loss, Hutchison described the game as “use- ful.” “We learned a lot about ourselves,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but I think we’re about where we should be at this time of year. We should always be improving, and I thought we battled really hard.” On Saturday, the Lions traveled to Springfield and see BOYS on B4 Carter Bascue jumps for a two-points shot. This week’s athlete of the week is Jayden Cameron Jayden Cameron scores two during a 12-0 run that brought the Lions back from a gaping deficit against Creswell. Coach Seth Hutchison says he expects Cameron to play a significant leadership role all season for Cottage Grove. Jayden Cameron scores two impactful points during a flurry of scoring that ignited the Lions in the second half. PHOTO BY JON STINNETT/CG SENTINEL