Defending Sunset Conference champion Bandon held off visiting Myrtle Point 54-49 in a boys basketball game Wednesday.

After skirting out to a 32-22 halftime lead, the Tigers held on for the win.

Bandon was able to capitalize on Myrtle Point’s turnovers and score some easy buckets early in the game.

“We were able to get a lead in the first half but then it got ugly towards the end,” said Bandon coach Matt Angove.

The Tigers missed 17 of 30 freethrows in the second half.

“We just had to hold on in the fourth quarter,” said Angove.

High scorers for Bandon were Derrick Burman with 12 points and Gage Gant with 11.

Scott Clark had 21 points to lead Myrtle Point with Garren Hitner adding 14. The Bobcats were playing their league opener, while Bandon improved to 1-1.

Last season, Bandon and Myrtle Point were the top two teams in the conference. But both had key losses to graduation, including Bandon’s entire starting five.

Meanwhile, league newcomer Cascade Christian held the top ranking in Class 3A for much of the preseason before losing a couple of games last week. The Challengers have been dominant in their two league wins.

Gold Beach also is off to a hot start, with a 2-0 record after wins over Bandon and Reedsport.

Challengers top Devils

Cascade Christian outscored Coquille 22-9 in the second quarter and pulled away from there in a 65-32 conference win.

Jeremy Cheney had 22 points and Ben Joffer nine for the Challengers. Brandon Sampson led Coquille with 11 points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Coquille wins on road

Coquille topped Cascade Christian  53-38 on Wednesday in Medford.

After trailing by three going into the second quarter, Coquille scored 13 points while holding Cascade Christian to four to take a 25-19 halftime lead. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Red Devils stretched their lead further, scoring 20 points to Cascade Christian’s eight.

“Any league win is a good win and it was nice to get that one out of the way,” said Coquille coach Jennifer Sproul.

Leading Coquille was Kalei Libby with 15 points. Katy Pflaum and Emily Usselman each added 12 points each for the Red Devils, who improved to 2-0 in league play.

Becca Sellers had 12 points and Kiersten Barlow 11 for Cascade Christian.

Bobcats win big

Myrtle Point smashed Bandon 56-26 in a Sunset Conference game Wednesday.

Myrtle Point’s high scorers were Sam Sanders with 16 points and Kylee Fischer with 15 points. Krissy Johnston added 11 points and Meghan Ross 10.

Bandon had a tough night, struggling to reach Myrtle Point’s level.

“This is what happens when you don’t play well against a very good team,” said Bandon coach Ken Nice.

Becky Butler had nine points for the Tigers.

The Bobcats were playing their league opener, while Bandon fell to 0-2.