McKenzie girls basketball is this week's Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Courtesy photo
It’s not a push. Barely a nudge really. When
McKenzie (Finn Rock) girls coach David Duncan rolls out the basketball, his Eagles are almost always ready.
Thus far they are 22-4 overall and 14-2 in league and have won at least 20 games five straight seasons, including 27-1 in 2011-12 when the Eagles won a state 1A title.
"It is all about the girls," said coach David Duncan who's in his second year as head coach taking over for Darin Harbrick in the 2012-2013 season. "Their determination and work ethic is so strong. They enjoy going to state and want to get there every year."
McKenzie girls basketball
Courtesy photo
Because of their work ethic and results, the Eagles are the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Led by a stifling defense and the Hiddleston sisters,
Makaila and
Buggy, the Eagles are destined to make a strong state-title push.
Even with just nine girls, McKenzie has the stamina and strength to allow just 26.3 points per game. Three times it's allowed less than 10 points and 12 times it has given up 20 or less.
"We went into the season saying that our focus was going to be on nothing but defense," Duncan said. "We would leave every night after practice talking about defense. We worked on nothing but defense and all our drills are focused on that.
"We knew that our offense would come, but we have to be able to stop teams defensively. We aren’t the best scorers or offensive team, but we can defend with anybody and the girls bought into this goal and wanted to reach that this season."
Makaila Hiddleston, a 5-11 post, averages 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game to lead the team.
"She is our scoring threat," Duncan said. "She makes our team go offensively. We work an inside-outside offense and she is definitely our inside presence. Other teams narrow in on her. She is certainly our cornerstone and everything goes from her."
Her sister Buggy is the team’s second leading scorer and averages 9.9 points per game.
"They play very well together and have a good chemistry. They are different players and have a different type of playing style, but they work very well with one another."
MaxPreps editorial assistant Kirstin Beal contributed to this report.Do you know a team that deserves
consideration for Oregon Team of the Week? Email us with your
nominations at ORteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.
