Junction City 58 Baker 47
Baker started hot, even at one point being up 13-3 on the top-seeded Tigers, but once the Bulldogs jumped out of their 1-3-1 zone in favor of a man-to-man look, Junction City found a rhythm. Junction City smothered the boards and never gave into the Baker pressure. The efficiency of the Tiger offense exemplified by Kaleb Burnett’s perfect 13 for 13 from the floor–an OSAA record–and 30 points overall. It took a while, but Junction City showed up. Baker’s turn is coming up, just not this year. Junction City will play in the semifinals versus Seaside tomorrow night at Marshfield at 1:30 p.m. Baker will play Philomath at Marshfield tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.
Seaside 62 Philomath 61
What a comeback by Seaside. Philomath came out in the first quarter and played virtually flawlessly–dominant defense, perfect ball movement, and the ball was finding the bottom of the net. Seaside, to their credit, did not quit. The Seagulls chipped away throughout the second quarter, kept themselves in position, slowly stopped the bleeding, then pounced in the third. An offensive explosion from Seaside led by Ever Sibony–who ended with 25 points–brought the Seagulls to within one point of the Warriors heading into the 4th quarter. The momentum did not shift in any meaningful way, culminating in a game-winning 3-pointer by Cash Corder from the left wing, sending Seaside to the winners’ side of the bracket. Seaside will play in the semifinals versus Junction City tomorrow night at Marshfield at 1:30pm. Philomath will play Baker at Marshfield tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.
Cascade 66 Stayton 41
Cascade ran away with it. There is no breakdown to be had here. Cascade dominated on the interior, dominated on the perimeter, dominated in the starting line up, dominated on the bench… probably dominated warmups. Stayton, from the get go, was out of it. Cascade was a team on a mission this Thursday night, and Stayton was not the team to beat them–they were going to have to beat themselves. The Cougar defense proved once again to be too much for Stayton to handle, and that’s really all that mattered. Dom Ball had his highlight dunks, the Horne twins played their trademark defense, and Ty Best flashed his athleticism more than once. An all around performance by Cascade that, if replicated, will put them in the state title game Saturday night. Cascade will play tomorrow night at Marshfield against Banks at 3:15 p.m. Stayton will play against and at Marshfield tomorrow in the consultation bracket at 10:45 a.m.
Banks 62 Marshfield 49
Banks did what they needed to: own the paint, avoid getting killed on the boards, make Marshfield beat you from the outside. Check, check, check. Charlie White played phenomenal defense, consistently providing a stiff challenge to any Pirate drive, over and over again redirecting players and their shots–then pulling down the rebound. White owned the paint, anchoring the Banks 2-3 defense, and allowed the Braves perimeter defenders free range to fly around and make Mason Ainsworth and company uncomfortable. The paint presence of White, helping create the pressure within the Banks 2-3, manufactured a Marshfield shooting performance unparalleled in recent memory: 24% from the floor, including 9/35 from 3-point range. Ainsworth had 18 points in the game, but the 12 missed 3-pointers make it a mute point. For all the talk about the tournament being in Coos Bay being an unfair advantage for Marshfield–Banks just disproved all of it. It was an incredible game by Banks, and you cannot give them enough credit. They absolutely deserve to be on the winners’ side of the bracket and have a chance to force another Cowapa League-only title game. Banks will play tomorrow night at Marshfield against Cascade at 3:15 p.m. Marshfield will play at home against Stayton tomorrow in the consultation bracket at 10:45 a.m.
Philomath 58 Mazama 30
The Philomath girls have been the state favorites all season long, and they proved once again why they are. Jumping out to a 16-7 lead in the first quarter, it was evident to anyone watching that the Warriors had complete control of the game. Philomath did have a scare around the four-minute mark when Sage Kramer went down with an injury and had to be helped off. Luckily for PHS, she returned shortly after the start of the 2nd quarter. In her short absence, Abigail Brown, K Bacho, and Reagan Larson all stepped up and continued to roll the Vikings. At half, Philomath found themselves up 30-14. In the paint, Abigail Brown dominated and helped Philomath to outscore Mazama 38-14. Philomath was also able to capitalize off their aggressive defense with 25 points from turnovers compared to the Vikings’ 5. Philomath will play Hidden Valley at Marshfield at 6:30pm in the semifinals. Mazama will play Marist at North Bend at 9am.
Hidden Valley 41 Marist 34
Both teams started slowly in this one, but Hidden Valley showed their class as the game went on. Marist was never out of the game, but they did not get enough consistent offense to press the Mustangs. Even when the Mustang lead was reduced to three late in the fourth quarter, the Spartans were not able to assert themselves and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Hidden Valley did not play their best tonight, and they will have to step up their game if they want to challenge for a berth in the state title game. Hidden Valley will play Philomath at Marshfield at 6:30pm in the semifinals. Marist will play Mazama at North Bend at 9am.
Corbett 61 Baker 46
This may seem like a hot take to those who were not at this game, but Corbett should be considered–alongside powerhouse Philomath–as the favorites at this tournament. The Cardinals dominated with excellent guard play, and their bigs consistently repelled the Bulldogs when they attacked the rim. Baker could not match Corbett’s intensity, and the game was never in doubt. Corbett gave us the most impressive performance of the first day of this tournament, and their young core promises to vault this program to success sooner rather than later. Corbett will play Madras at Marshfield at 8:15pm in the semifinals. Baker will play Cascade at North Bend at 10:45am.
Madras 69 Cascade 60 (OT)
It was appropriate that this went to overtime, as very little separated these two top 4A teams. While Cascade looked to dominate on the inside, Madras were relentless at the rim and made the tough shots in overtime to pull away. Most encouraging for Madras is the phenomenal play of their guards, which will give them a chance against guard-centric teams like Corbett and Philomath. Even though they were upset in this game, Cascade will be the favorite in the consolation bracket. Madras will play Corbett at Marshfield at 8:15pm in the semifinals. Cascade will play Baker at North Bend at 10:45am.
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