The Baker girls used stifling defense to win back-to-back games this weekend and claim the championship at the Nyssa holiday basketball tournament.

The Bulldogs dominated Nyssa in Saturday’s title game, winning 53-24, after beating Emmett, Idaho, 70-30 on Friday (see story below).

The two wins improved Baker’s season record to 9-1. The only blemish is a 61-46 loss at Burns, undefeated and ranked first in the Class 3A poll, on Dec. 15.

The Bulldogs hardly struggled at Nyssa, however.

In Saturday’s championship game against the host team, Baker held Nyssa to six points or less in three of the four quarters.

The one exception was the second quarter, when Nyssa scored 10 points — eight on free throws.

Baker then held Nyssa to just nine points — and two field goals — in the entire second half. Nyssa had just five field goals in the game, scoring 14 of its 24 points on free throws.

Baker’s offense, meanwhile, was efficient enough to ensure that the game wasn’t close after the first quarter.

Sydney Younger scored seven of her 14 points in the quarter as Baker rolled to a 15-5 lead.

Rose Gwillim dominated the second and third quarters, amassing 13 of her game-high 17 points as Baker led 27-15 at halftime and 40-21 after three quarters. Jayme Ramos added nine points for Baker, and Isabella Nemec tallied seven.

Baker returns to action after Christmas at the North Valley tournament in Grants Pass. Baker will play North Valley on Thursday at 6:45 p.m., Douglas on Friday at 1:45 p.m., and Brookings-Harbor on Saturday at 12:45 p.m.

BAKER (53)

Hellberg, Keller 1 2-4 4, Younger 6 1-2 14, Ramos 3 3-4 9, Carter, Calaway, Nemec 2 2-2 7, Benson 0 2-3 2, Gwillim 7 3-4 17. Totals 19 13-17 53.

NYSSA (24) –

Johns, J. Hartley, M. Hartley 2 2-4 6, Trajello 1-2 1, Arredondge, Haies, M. Long, Moore 2 3-8 , B. Hartley, Hamilton, Castro 1 3-4 5, Woodruff 1-2 1, Hernandez 3-4 3, Trujillo, H. Long 1-2 1. Totals 5 14-26 24.

Baker -15 12 13 13 — 53

Nyssa – 5 10 6 3 — 24

Three-point baskets — Younger, Nemec. Fouled out — Keller. Total fouls — Baker 18, Nyssa 15. Technicals — none.

By Gerry Steele

gsteele@bakercityherald.com

Baker built a 20-point lead in the first half Friday on the way to a 70-30 nonleague girls basketball win over Emmett at the Nyssa tournament.

Baker led 17-8 after one quarter then increased the margin to 42-18 at halftime.

“Our defense is really improving as the season progresses,” said Baker coach Mat Sand.

“We are starting to understand rotations in our zones with ball pressure.”

Offensively, Baker was led by Sydney Younger with 18 points. Rose Gwillim added 16.

BAKER (70)

Elms 3 2-2 8, Hellberg 1 0-0 2, Keller 4 1-2 9, Younger 5 2-2 13, Ramos 3 0-0 8, Carter, Calaway, Nemec 4 0-1 8, Benson 3 0-0 6, Gwillim 7 2-4 16. Totals 30 7-12 70.

EMMETT (30) –

Tooley, Lavergne 6 0-0 17, Alexander 1 2-2 4, Knight 1 0-0 2, Jarvis, Harrison, Carter 1 0-0 3, Crume 1 0-0 2, Carver 1 0-0 2. Totals 11 2-2 30.

Baker -17 24 16 13 —70

Emmett – 8 10 8 4 — 30

Three-point baskets — Younger, Ramos 2, Lavergne 5, Carter. Fouled out — none. Total fouls — Baker 9, Emmett 12.