By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

AURORA, Ore.– North Marion wanted redemption on Stayton after the Eagles ruined their Top 5 placing earlier this Oregon West Conference.

Redemption they got, with the help of a 24-9 run and holding off a late run late, the Huskies defeated a Stayton team looking to secure a playoff spot 58-48.

“We came out flat in the first half and I think in the second half we came out with a lot more energy, especially defensively,” said Charlie Weeks.  “Shots were falling more better in the second half, cause a few more turnovers and I think that led to a run by us.”

The Eagles built a 8-2 lead to start the game in a defensive slugfest before turnovers hurt Stayton, allowing the Huskies to built a 26-15 halftime lead.

Trying to claw back into the game, with the Eagles’ Matt Lindemann at the helm, managed to cut the North Marion lead to single-digits several times in the second half.

With his team slowly feeling the groove, they cut it to five with under four minutes to go in the game, but couldn’t finish the comeback against the Huskies.

“So they kept leaking some guys when we’re full-court pressing and it got them over the other half of the court,” said Matt Lindemann.  “Their fast breaks started to speed up the tempo, kind of got us out of pace and got us out of our momentum that we had.

“It got us out of the run we were going in after that.”

For the Eagles, sitting at a three-way tie for third in the Oregon West Conference and in a battle for a play-in game in 4A, turns to their other rivial from Turner in Cascade.

The Cougars are also in that three-way tie with Stayton at 4-4 in the OWC.

“I think this game with a tough loss gives us a lot of motivation going into Friday,” said Weeks. “We have to put in two good days at practice.

“I mean they’re our rivials we got to be ready to go for them.  It’s going to be a fun one.”

WEST ALBANY 56, MCKAY 52 OT-  The Royal Scots answered the call after a slow start against the Bulldogs Tuesday night that featured a fourth-quarter inspired run as Darrell Woods hit a three-pointer to tie the game up and send it to overtime.

But McKay couldn’t finish the job in the extra period that saw post player Tristen Wilson foul out as they now turn their focus to West Salem at West Salem Friday night for their final away game of the season.

PHOTO GALLERY (PICTURES BY JEREMY MCDONALD)

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013).  Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81