Sweet Home High School Girls Basketball: A Season of Growth and Promise in 2025
The 2025 winter basketball season was a landmark year for the Sweet Home High School Girls Varsity Basketball team, marked by tremendous growth, resilience, and the emergence of young talent. Under the leadership of Head Coach Erika Evans, the team made remarkable strides despite a youthful roster, setting a foundation for sustained success in one of Oregon’s most competitive leagues.
Key Contributors Sparked a Breakthrough Season
This season’s Sweet Home squad was led by a trio of standout players who made significant impacts on both ends of the court.
Addy Vannice, the team’s point guard and defensive stalwart, emerged as a lockdown defender. Averaging over three steals per game, Vannice routinely held some of the league’s top scorers to their lowest outputs. Her defensive pressure often changed the momentum of games and ignited fast breaks.
Brooke Elder served as the team’s offensive powerhouse. With multiple 18-plus point performances and a career-high 24 points in one game, Elder consistently carried the scoring load and provided offensive stability.
Meanwhile, Aaliyah Brown contributed versatility and scoring from inside and mid-range. Beyond her scoring ability, Brown grew into an essential leadership role, inspiring teammates and raising the team’s competitive edge as the season progressed.
Tremendous Growth and Progress Amidst Youthful Roster
Coach Evans described the 2025 season as a “huge growth year.” The team was notably young, with no seniors and only three upperclassmen on the varsity roster. Despite this inexperience, the team achieved remarkable progress compared to the previous season.
Sweet Home won five times as many games as in 2024, increased their scoring by over 300 points, and reduced opponent scoring by more than 100 points over the course of the season. These statistics underscore the team’s rapid improvement and determination to compete at a high level in a challenging league.
Defining Moments That Shaped the Season
Several key games served as turning points for the team’s confidence and momentum.
A 39-point victory over Douglas High School early in the season ignited the team’s belief in their potential. More significantly, the team secured its first league win in two years with a triumph over Newport High School — a milestone that energized the program.
Sweet Home competes in Oregon’s toughest 4A league, which features powerhouse programs. This year, the league’s top three teams finished 1st, 2nd, and 5th in the state tournament, with the fourth-place team also reaching the playoffs. Against this backdrop, Sweet Home’s competitive league performances marked a significant achievement.
Emerging Players Took on Bigger Roles
Several players demonstrated notable growth as the season advanced.
Taylor Gaskey, a freshman, started in half of the varsity games and had multiple double-digit scoring performances. Gaskey’s ability to knock down three-pointers and distribute the ball effectively made her a critical contributor in key moments.
Addy Vannice, who shifted from a 2-guard role last year, fully embraced her role as the team’s floor general this season. Her defensive prowess and leadership on the court made her “impossible to take off the floor,” according to Coach Evans.
Aaliyah Brown showed marked improvement in her confidence with inside scoring and mid-range shooting, evolving into a stronger on-court leader. This growth helped solidify the team’s offensive and defensive foundation.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The team demonstrated grit and perseverance throughout the season, especially when facing adversity.
One of the most memorable examples came during a December game against Gladstone. Despite falling behind 19-2 at halftime, Sweet Home mounted a furious comeback, cutting the deficit to just two points in the third quarter after a 17-2 run. This relentless attitude—never backing down no matter the score—was emblematic of the team’s spirit.
Some of their strongest performances came against the top-ranked teams in the state, Cascade and Stayton, during league play. Even in defeat, these games served as learning experiences and benchmarks for the program’s growth.
Leadership Without Seniors
This year’s varsity squad featured no seniors, which presented unique challenges but also opportunities for younger players to step up. The absence of seniors meant that leadership responsibilities fell on underclassmen, who rose to the occasion admirably.
Coach Evans highlighted the growth of younger players in leadership roles, especially Aaliyah Brown, who became a key voice on and off the court.
Looking Ahead: Building Momentum for the Future
One of the most exciting aspects for Coach Evans is that the team is returning all players next season, offering rare continuity and the chance to build on this year’s progress.
“This group has made our community and the younger girls in it excited about girls' basketball,” Coach Evans said. “We have huge support, and I believe it will only continue to grow as we work hard this offseason.”
The team’s goal for the upcoming season is to earn a play-in game for the state playoff bracket, a tangible milestone reflecting their rising competitiveness.
Offseason Goals Focus on Skill and IQ
Looking forward to the offseason, the coaching staff is focused on enhancing the team’s multi-level scoring ability and overall basketball IQ.
Coach Evans explained, “We want our players to better recognize situations on the court and make smarter decisions. Developing scoring options at all levels—inside, mid-range, and beyond the arc—will make us more versatile and harder to defend.”
Where to Find Stats and More
For those interested in detailed statistics, Sweet Home’s team stats are hosted on Hudl, a popular platform for game footage and analytics. Coach Evans can provide access upon request and is also anticipating photos from the team’s official photographer.
Conclusion
Sweet Home High School’s 2025 girls' varsity basketball season was a remarkable story of growth, resilience, and promise. Against the backdrop of a tough 4A Oregon league and a young roster, the team made strides that have set the program on an upward trajectory.
With key players stepping up, a core group returning intact, and a focused offseason plan, the Eagles are poised to build on their successes and continue competing at a higher level.
As Coach Evans put it, the season wasn’t just about wins and losses—it was about building a culture and exciting the community about girls' basketball. If the progress this season is any indication, Sweet Home is well on its way to achieving those goals.
If you would like access to detailed stats or team photos, feel free to reach out to Coach Evans for more information.
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