Senior Kathryn Gentry scored four points against Burns on Dec. 4, 2024.

With a freshman playing her first high school game leading the way, the Baker girls basketball team opened its season with a dominant 38-24 win over Burns on Wednesday night, Dec. 4, in the BHS gym.

The Bulldogs scored the first six points and never trailed.

Freshman Molly Rasmussen led Baker with 10 points. Lily Logsdon had six, Jayden Whitford five and Kathryn Gentry, Gracie Spike and Gwen Rasmussen four points each.

Baker held the Hilanders to just 14 points through three quarters. Burns had eight field goals, half of those in the fourth quarter.

First quarter

Baker started fast, getting steals from Gwen Rasmussen and Whitford on the first two possessions and scoring the first six points.

Logsdon had the first points of the season on a 3-pointer just 30 seconds into the game. Gwen Rasmussen made a free throw and her sister, Molly, scored inside on a feed from Logsdon to make it 6-0.

Burns scored six straight points to tie it, but the Bulldogs finished the quarter with two free throws by Jaxyn Ramos and a basket by Ashlyn Dalton on another assist from Logsdon to lead 10-6.

Baker’s defense was stifling, forcing multiple turnovers and rarely giving the Hilanders a second chance off a miss.

Second quarter

Baker extended the lead to 18-8 on the strength of baskets by Molly Rasmussen, Gracie Spike and Whitford, all on mid-range jumpers.

Baker had several offensive rebounds to extend possessions, and the Bulldogs’ defense continued to thwart Burns.

Burns’ Akylah Kaino banked in a 3-pointer to get Burns within 18-11 at halftime.

Seven Bulldogs scored in the first half.

Third quarter

Baker dominated the quarter, outscoring the Hilanders 11-3. 

The Bulldogs capped the quarter with consecutive 3-pointers in the final 22 seconds, the first by Whitford and the second from Logsdon on a bank shot at the buzzer. Baker scored the last nine points of the quarter.

Fourth quarter

Baker extended its scoring run to 13 straight, on baskets by Spike and Gentry, to lead 33-14. Amaya Ballard hit a 3-pointer to end a 9-minute scoreless streak for the Hilanders.

Baker coach Jason Ramos said he was pleased with the Bulldogs’ play, particularly on the defensive end.

“Defensively is where we separated ourselves,” he said. “The girls did a great job.”

Although the game was ragged at times as first games often are, with low shooting percentages from both teams, Ramos said he was happy with Baker’s ball movement.

With a few exceptions, Baker took good shots, he said — even passing up a few open looks in favor of passing to a teammate.

“They moved the ball well and for the most part they made good decisions,” Ramos said.

All 11 Bulldogs played. Ramos said the team’s depth is “a good problem to have.”

The deep roster is especially helpful given the team’s daunting early schedule, with four games in four days. Baker travels to Prineville on Thursday, Dec. 5, for the three-day Crook County Tip Off tournament. Baker plays Seaside on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Game times and opponents Friday and Saturday are not set.

BURNS (24)

Temple 1 0-0 2, Robbins 0 1-2 1, Samples 0 2-2 2, Ballard 3 1-2 9; Horrell 1 0-2 2, Valle 0 0-0 0, Kaino 2 0-0 5, Smith 0 0-0 0, White 1 0-0 2, Gruber 0 1-2 1. Totals 8 5-10 24.

BAKER (38)

Gentry 2 0-0 4, Logsdon 2 0-0 6, Schwartz 0 0-0 0, Spike 2 0-0 4, Dalton 1 1-2 3, Whitford 2 0-0 5, Myer 0 0-0 0, G. Rasmussen 1 2-4 4, M. Rasmussen 5 0-0 10, Ramos 0 2-2 2, Morgan 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 3-6 38.

Burns  6  5  3 10 — 24

Baker 10 8  11 4 — 38

Burns won the JV game, 30-21.

Schedule change

Baker’s home game against Vale, originally scheduled for Jan. 3, has been moved to Dec. 10. The JV game will start at 4:30 p.m., the varsity around 6 p.m.

Halftime $10,000 challenge

The first in a season-long promotion at each home varsity game, sponsored by City Gold, featured Monte Anderson trying to make a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and halfcourt shot within 30 seconds, rebounding his own shots, to win $10,000.

For each varsity home game, one contestant (spectators can sign up when they enter the gym) will be chosen at random for a chance at the prize. People who played or coached basketball at the high school, semi-pro or professional level, or in the Olympics, are not eligible.

Anderson made the layup and free throw but was still trying to hit a 3-pointer when the buzzer sounded.