After losing their season opener on the road to Forest Grove, Canby girls basketball has reeled off two impressive wins.
Of the two wins, the most surprising was no doubt the Cougs’ upset of then-No. 3 ranked Mountainside on Tuesday. The Mavericks were undefeated (albeit, only two games into the regular season) and led by 6-4 Cameron Brink, the third best recruiting prospect in the country for high school girls hoops.
But Brink got into some foul trouble early on that sent her to the bench, and Canby took advantage, erasing a 15-point deficit and taking control for the remainder of the game behind the raucous home crowd.
Led by senior Nicole Mickelson, 14 points, junior Zoe Thompson, 13, and freshman Ally Mead adding 12, the Cougs romped to 51-44 victory. Matched up against Brink, who’s at least four inches taller, Mickelson refused to be intimidated, even recording a clean block or two against the Stanford signee.
The Cougs were back in action on Friday at Canby High School as the Saxons from South Salem came to town. Canby trailed after the first quarter, but dominated the final three frames to secure a second straight W, 49-45.
Odell came up big again in only the third game of her high school career, leading the team with 14 points. Mickelson added 12.
“It’s good,” Mickelson told Oregon’s Elite after the game, when asked about the team’s mood. “We’re really excited, with a lot of confidence coming into the season. It’s a really positive atmosphere.”
Canby hosts Newberg (1-2) on Wednesday and Grants Pass (2-3) on Friday as non-league play continues. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
Photo by Eric Watkins of Oregon’s Elite.