John Michaels
IVN Contributing Writer
What a difference a year makes. Last year the Illinois Valley High School girls basketball team trudged through a 3-21 campaign, with two of the wins coming against winless league foe Gold Beach.
This year’s edition of the Lady Cougars is 2-0 after the first week of the season after registering a 43-22 win over Rogue River and edging Pacific 43-38.
In the season opener Wednesday, Illinois Valley held the Chieftains to single digit scoring in all four quarters on the way to the non-conference victory over Rogue River in Cave Junction.
Senior Jadyn Grebisz scored six of the Cougars’ 11 points in the opening period as IVHS jumped out to an 11-7 win after the initial eight minutes. Grebisz had six more in the second, but senior forward Evalynn Guzman scored eight and the Illinois Valley held the Chieftains to a single field goal while building a 25-12 lead at the intermission.
Rogue River would get no field goals and only five free throws in the third quarter and the Cougars would hit double digits again, extending the lead to 37-17 heading into the final frame.
I.V. would win the last quarter by a 6-5 count, although first-year head coach Jerry Walker emptied his bench late in the game on the way to the 43-22 win.
Guzman finished with 19 points to pace Illinois Valley, just edging out Grebisz, who had 18 points, for scoring honors. Emily Hall added four points and freshman Saray Mendoza rounded out the scoring with two points.
On Friday, the Cougars traveled to Port Orford to take on the Pacific Pirates. The Cougars managed to rally in the second half to eke out a 43-38 decision.
“We won,” said Walker. “We came back, but it was a struggle. We started out well for the first two minutes or so. After that, it went downhill. I told them to keep fighting and to keep their heads up. They worked together as a team and fought their way back.”
All five of the IVHS starters scored in the initial period and I.V. led 11-10 after one quarter. But the host Pirates outscored the Lady Cougars 11-9 in the second to grab a 21-20 lead at the half.
IVHS came out and again relied on its defense to turn things around, holding Pacific to three field goals in the third. Grebisz and Guzman combined for nine points and senior Jessame Pope added another field goal and Illinois Valley led 31-28 after three quarters.
Guzman added six more points in the final eight minutes and the Cougars benefited from the Pirates going 0-for-7 from the free throw line in the final frame as they held on for their second win of the year.
Guzman once again led I.V. in scoring with 16 points on the night. Grebisz and Pope added 10 points each Hall chipped in six and Kylee Fisk rounded out the scoring with a single point.
I.V. will be very busy this week with four games on the slate. The Lady Cougars traveled to Days Creek on Tuesday for a game with the Wolves. IVHS hosts North Valley on Wednesday before taking part in the Lancers’ Kick-off tourney at South Umpqua High School in Myrtle Creek Friday and Saturday. The Cougars will face South Umpqua on Friday and will face a to be determined opponent Saturday.