By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

STAYTON, Ore.–  The Stayton Boys Basketball team found that extra gear in the second quarter against Gladstone Friday night as they pieced together another solid win with non-league coming to a close next week.  The Eagles won the home contest 71-46 for their tenth win of the season.

Up 18-10 going to the second quarter, Stayton used a 20-9 frame to take a 38-19 lead into the halftime break and carried that momentum in the second half as they’ve rebounded well the past two games after suffering their lone defeat of the season to Baker on December 30.

“It was good.  We incorporated a 2-3 and man, mixed them all the time to throw them off…their offense off and we were hitting our shots,” Garrett Callsen said of the second quarter.  “The last two games have been big.  That Baker loss was tough, but I mean they’re a really good team and I thought we played really good in that game.  We didn’t stop trying and working hard.

“These last two games have been a reboot and we’re ready for league.”

With two games left before they kick off Oregon West Conference play at North Marion on January 20, their road trip at The Dalles and their home game against Molalla this next Tuesday and Friday will be a good bridge going into league play.  Arguably one of the best leagues in the State across the six classifications.

“They’re going to be big.  They’re going to be good games,” Callsen said.

Callsen finished with 19 points, including 11 in the second quarter alone.  Gavin Berning added 24 points in the win for the Eagles.  Cohen Daves and CJ Peiffer each scored 15 points for the Gladiators as Gladstone heads to North Marion on Tuesday before hosting Cascade on Friday.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald