Final Score: Amity 57 Sutherlin 46
Even when Amity was up 20 at 54-34 deep in the 4th, it felt like Sutherlin was within striking distance. Call it unease, call it fear, whatever it is the Sutherlin dynasty has earned that level of respect. The young—at times featuring 3 freshmen and 2 sophomores on the floor—Warriors pulled off what may be the biggest upset of the early basketball season for either gender.
Amity played fine defensively in the half court, but the press is what did the damage. 17 first half turnovers forced by the Warrior defense sparked what ended up being a 15-0 run to build the lead they’d never fully surrender. The Nisly twins and Mya Haaarsma spearheaded a 1-3-1 press and half court zone that created so many open court fast break opportunities for points that the half court disadvantage the Warriors faced wouldn’t be their undoing. Sutherlin had to deal with foul trouble early when Micah Wicks picked up her third mid way through the 2nd quarter, but even with her on the floor for the entire second half Amity’s pressure got home regularly.
There are two versions of Sutherlin: Them with Micah Wicks, and them without Micah Wicks. There are complimentary pieces here that could win a title, no doubt there, but it’s hard to over state how important the multi time all-state guard impacts this team and how it functions. There is a ton of experience on this roster, but the losing of poise against the Amity press can be easily attributed to her absence for long stretches of the game. Sutherlin won’t lose many games before reaching Coos Bay, but a blueprint certainly exists on how to challenge them.
Leading scorers: Elisa Nisly (Amity) 17, Micah Wicks (Suth.) 17, Alyssa McMullen (Amity) 14, Adie Nisly (Amity) 11, Madison Huntley (Suth.) 10, Madison Wagner (Suth.) 7
