BAKER GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bulldogs dominate Fruitland, 67-45, win third straight

Published 5:42 pm Tuesday, January 7, 2025

The Baker girls basketball team didn’t quite lead from the start, but eight seconds is awfully close.

Lily Logsdon hit a 3-pointer just eight seconds into the game and the Bulldogs never trailed in dominating Fruitland, Idaho, 67-45, on Tuesday night, Jan. 7, in the Baker gym.

Baker won its third straight and improved to 9-5 on the season.

“A total team effort,” Baker coach Jason Ramos said after the Bulldogs beat Fruitland for the second time this season. “Just the energy we brought.”

First quarter

Baker could hardly have had a better start.

Maybe hitting a halfcourt shot on the opening tip.

Otherwise things went pretty perfectly for the Bulldogs. After Logsdon’s opening 3-pointer, Ashlyn Dalton followed with a 10-foot shot to give Baker a 5-0 lead.

The Bulldogs extended the lead to 11-2 on a rebound basket by Gwen Rasmussen and consecutive baskets by Molly Rasmussen, the first on an assist by Logsdon, the second on an inbound pass by Dalton.

Baker led 17-9 after the first quarter.

Second quarter

The Grizzlies scored the first basket to get within 17-11, but Baker responded with Dalton’s inside basket off a feed by Logsdon, and Logsdon made another 3-pointer to make it 22-11.

Baker broke the game open with a 14-0 run over less than two minutes. Emy Myer scored eight of the points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Logsdon and Kathryn Gentry each had baskets as Baker built its lead to 38-15.

The Bulldogs led 38-17 at halftime. Myer led Baker with 10 points.

Baker had possibly its most efficient half of the season on both ends. The Bulldogs passed well, leading to many open shots, and they easily handled Fruitland’s fullcourt press.

“I really liked our tempo, and the way we were finding each other, making good passes,” Ramos said.

Defensively, Baker gave up few open looks, and the Bulldogs’ defensive rebounding kept the Grizzlies from getting many second chances.

“We were contesting their shots without fouling,” Ramos said.

The Bulldogs committed just four fouls in the first half.

Third quarter

The play got sloppy at times, with more turnovers and fouls than in the first half. Fruitland took advantage, cutting the lead to 12, at 44-32, but Logsdon twice weaved her way through the key for baskets, and Baker boosted its lead to 48-32 after three quarters.

Fourth quarter

Gwen Rasmussen had two baskets and Molly Rasmussen a free throw as Baker pushed its lead to 20 points to start the final period. 

The Bulldogs cruised from there, the lead never dropping below 17 points.

Baker now has a week off before opening Greater Oregon League play by hosting Pendleton on Jan. 14 at 6 p.m.

Ramos said he’s pleased with the team’s progress, particularly since winning two of three games to take third place at the Stayton tournament the week after Christmas.

“We’ve really started to come together,” Ramos said.

He was happy with Baker’s balanced scoring against Fruitland. A season-high five Bulldogs were in double figures. Logsdon and Gwen Rasmussen had 12 each, Molly Rasmussen 11, and Myer and Gentry 10 apiece.

Ramos expects the Bulldogs to compete with La Grande for the league title. The Tigers are 7-1 and ranked fourth in Class 4A. Baker is ranked 10th.

FRUITLAND (45)

Drollinger 5 4-8 14, Fitah 2 4-6 8, Hillman 1 0-0 2, Kreigh 1 1-2 3, Bratcher 4 0-2 8, Bake 3 2-4 8, Clow 0 0-2 0, Tubbs 0 0-0 0, Jenks 1 0-0 2, Skeen 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 11-23 45.

BAKER (67)

Gentry 5 0-0 10, Logsdon 5 0-0 12, Schwartz 2 0-0 4, Spike 0 1-2 1, Dalton 3 0-2 6, Whitford 0 0-0 0, Myer 4 0-0 10, G. Rasmussen 6 0-1 12, M. Rasmussen 4 3-4 11, Ramos 0 0-2 0, Morgan 0 1-2 1. Totals 29 5-13 67.

Fruitland      9    8    16    12  — 45

Baker        17    21   10    19  — 67