Gervais Defeats Banks For Sixth Win In A Row

By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

BANKS, Ore.– The Gervais defense was their typical Cougar selves Tuesday afternoon against their second 4A challenge in Banks on the road.

Gervais was physical, pushed their aggressive style on and frustrated the Braves in the Cougars 53-33 win, banking Gervais their seventh win of the season and sixth-in-a-row in the process before the Christmas Break.

“We’re a really physical team that we kind of fuel off of other teams being aggressive,” Ava Sellers starts. “We want to beat that aggression. We thrive off of it.”

“We’re definitely the type of team that goes get it and want the ball, especially when we play other teams. We got that fire and we want to do our best to go after the ball,” adds Sofia Contreras.

Banks held a brief 11-7 lead on the Cougs during the second quarter as their similar aggressive style had too slowed Gervais’ offense that had cracked 50-points five times before Tuesday’s game to 35 points in the first three quarters. The Cougars led by 11 at that point as the game rang similar to Gervais’ game with Valley Catholic which they led by double-figures in the second half.

Head Coach Kyle Buse communicating with one of his players as Gervais improves to 7-2 on the year with their 53-33 win over Banks (Picture By Jeremy McDonald)

The Vailants, who are in the same Cowapa League as the Braves, made a comeback on Gervais in the fourth quarter. But the previous experience against that 4A team prepared the Cougars this time around as they stayed focused in the fourth and expanded their lead. Scoring 18 points in the final frame to Banks’ nine behind their physical and aggressive style on this afternoon.

“(Head Coach Kyle) Buse has set us up with some great games and we’re really loving the challenge. It really helps us in our league in 2A and all that,” Contreras said. “I thought we came out today and just had fun with it. Playing hard.

Izzy Boyd led Gervais with 16 points, Sellers had ten and Salma Villegas contributed nine points in the Cougars 20-point road win.

Up next, Gervais heads to the Salem Academy tournament where they’ll open up the tournament with their next big challenge in 6A’s North Medford on December 30 while the Braves host 6A’s Franklin on Wednesday.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald