Prior to their meeting with Sutherlin, the Creswell girls basketball team was riding a small win streak of three in a row and scoring over 50 points per game in each win. 

The Bulldogs traded punches with Sutherlin in the first half of their contest, but the visitors proved why they are a top contender for a state championship as they ultimately defeated Creswell 58-41. 

“Overall, I was pleased,” said Head Coach Tyler Hollingsworth. “We’re playing a lot better defensively, we kind of got fatigued in that second half, shots didn’t fall as much, and they (Sutherlin) were able to pull away. But we didn’t give up and that first half showed we could compete with them.” 

Creswell senior Emme Whitson had a huge game with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals, while teammates Lauren Bailey had 6 points and 11 rebounds and Samairah Quinones added 7 points along with 4 rebounds. 

“I think overall we played very good in the tournament,” said Senior guard Emme Whitson. “In both games we battled and did our best and I think we can be really proud of that. The first half against Sutherlin was probably one of our best half’s because we were flying around on defense and moving the ball really well on offense. If we take what we did against them, we have the ability to make playoffs and do well.” 

Both teams opened the game in a full-court press forcing each team to turn the ball over early and a slow start on offense. Creswell responded to each Sutherlin basket with one of their own to keep them within one at the end of the first quarter with Sutherlin leading 10-9. 

Whitson got on a roll in the second quarter scoring six points in the first two minutes and giving Creswell an 18-16 lead. 

The rest of the first half continued to be incredibly close with neither team gaining a real advantage over the other and Sutherlin’s Micah Wicks trying to match Whitson’s scoring display. Creswell fought hard in the first half with Whitson having 16 first-half points and Quinones scoring three points in the final minute of the quarter as Sutherlin only held a two-point lead going into halftime 28-26. 

“The whole thing we have been trying to preach to our girls in believe in their abilities,” said Hollingsworth. “I told our girls they belong on the floor with Sutherlin and we have to learn how to do this for two halves. We knew it was going to be a test and I think we learned a lot about ourselves positively from this game.”

Sutherlin broke the game open in the second half going on a 13-1 point run to grab a double-digit lead 39-27. Creswell continued to fight to cut the lead back to within eight at the end of the third quarter. But the home team started to run out of gas as Sutherlin made another run early in the fourth quarter to make their lead 52-35. Quinones and Kendyl Whitson combined for the next 6 Creswell points but Sutherlin was in control and earn the victory 58-41. 

The Creswell girls will have played one more game against Toledo before the Sentinel’s press time before taking a break for the holidays.

Stat Leaders

Emme Whitson 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals

Lauren Bailey 6 points, 11 rebounds 

Samairah Quinones 7 points, 3 rebounds

Kendyl Whitson 5 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists

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