Willamette 73, North Eugene 57: Top Performers
The Willamette Wolverines took care of business on Friday, dismantling North Eugene 73-57 in their league opener. Alex Puckett led the way for the newly appointed 5A school with 17 points, most of which came from a combination of threes, transitions finishes,…
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Continue ReadingThe Willamette Wolverines took care of business on Friday, dismantling North Eugene 73-57 in their league opener. Alex Puckett led the way for the newly appointed 5A school with 17 points, most of which came from a combination of threes, transitions finishes, and free throws.
Despite a monster game from Cameron Parks, the Highlanders struggled to find their footing offensively, particularly in the second half. Nate Duke shot well from three for North, who scored only five points as a team in the fourth quarter.
Willamette’s top scorer from last season, Owen Cross, played point the majority of the game and continually beat the Highlanders passing off the dribble. The 6-foot-3 senior found Jacob Curtis underneath for a few easy finishes the help give the #6 Wolverines a fairy dominant victory in their league opener.
Here’s the top performances from Friday:
Cameron Parks (2020 North Eugene) – Stats: 31 points, 7 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk
Despite coming away with a 16-point victory, Willamette simply couldn’t handle Cameron Parks defensively. The 6-foot-4 junior took advantage of a tightly officiated game and repeatedly attacked the paint, drawing countless fouls on his way to a career night. Parks burned defenders inside with his athleticism, and could have scored plenty more if he capitalized on a few easy and-one opportunities.
Nate Duke (2020 North Eugene) – Stats: 10 points, 3 reb, 1 ast
Duke heated up in the second quarter, when he hit back-to-back threes to breathe some life into a North Eugene offense that was struggling to find success. The 6-foot junior proceeded to fire up two misses in the next few possessions, but he can definitely spot up and shoot when North needs a bucket.
Owen Cross (2019 Willamette) – Stats: 13 points, 1 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl
Cross, a 6-foot-3 combo guard, was held relatively in check on Friday. Scoring a modest 13 points, the senior used his length and shiftiness to create space for crisp passes off the dribble. Willamette’s leading scorer tallied seven assists as he assumed a more facilitator-like role against an undersized defense.
Alex Puckett (2021) – Stats: 17 points, 2 reb, 0 ast
The 6-foot-1 sophomore started for the Wolverines and gave them a spark early, knocking down two threes in the first quarter. Puckett has a strong frame and a quick first step, both of which make him a solid on-ball defender. His 17 points came in flurries, but with Cross struggling, Puckett was the one to step up and score some buckets, most of which came in transition.