South Eugene Upsets Churchill 65-57: 10 Best
Entering Tuesday’s matchup with crosstown rival South Eugene, the Churchill Lancers sat pretty atop the 5A state rankings at 16-3, with a chance to add another 6A foe to their list of victims. After three quarters of play, Churchill seemed…
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Continue ReadingEntering Tuesday’s matchup with crosstown rival South Eugene, the Churchill Lancers sat pretty atop the 5A state rankings at 16-3, with a chance to add another 6A foe to their list of victims.
After three quarters of play, Churchill seemed to be well in control of their ninth straight win, leading the Axe 43-38. But, in an uncharacteristic collapse, the Lancers gave up 27 fourth quarter points on the way to just their fourth loss of the season.
Shortly after a weaving layup by South Eugene forward Josh Paul, Sam Harris added a step-back three in front of his own student section to put the Axe up two with three minutes to go in the fourth. Following a chaotic stretch, South Eugene beat Churchill’s press with a few over-the-top outlet passes and stretched their lead to six as the final minutes approached.
Churchill, looking slightly rattled, responded to their fourth quarter deficit with a barrage of three point attempts that simply wouldn’t fall. The Axe remained composed and converted enough of their free throws down the stretch to hold off the 5A powerhouse, who moved to 16-4 after the non-league defeat.
MVP – Sam Harris (2020 South Eugene)
The junior guard scored a team high 17 points for the Axe, which primarily came from a nice combination of physical finishing around the rim and outside shooting. The 6-foot point man plays hard on defense, and his collection of disruptive plays included two steals and a crowd pleasing block. After leading scorer Cole McAninch fouled out early in the fourth, Harris, who also recorded five rebounds and three assists, was the flagship of many to step up for the Axe.
Play of the game: Harris step back three to take the lead
Despite fighting back into the game all night, the Axe still trailed by one with less than four minutes to go. With a chance to take just their second lead of the game, the ball found it’s way to Harris in the corner. Despite starting the game just 1-for-4 from beyond the arc, the 6-foot junior stepped back and confidently let it fly, falling into the arms of his fellow classmates. The jumper hit all net, taking the lead and the momentum away from the Lancers for good.
Best offensive performance – Brian Goracke (2020 Churchill)
The highly touted swingman went 6-for-12 from the field on his way to a game-high 22 points for the visiting Lancers. Standing at 6-foot-4, the junior splashed two three pointers and used his sturdy frame to repeatedly get to the free throw line. Additionally, Goracke showed spurts of tremendous athleticism, including an impressive putback jam in the first half. The forward also recorded five rebounds and 3 assists, serving as the only consistent weapon for Churchill.
Best defensive performance – Cole McAninch (2019 South Eugene)
No defender was as prolific as McAninch, who used his length to stay in front and keep many of Churchill’s threats in check. The 6-foot-4 guard made a quick shuffle in the first half to cut off Kaelan O’Neil, which led to a momentum-swinging charge call. O’Neil, who went 2-for-12 from the field, was primarily covered by McAninch throughout the game, which speaks to the seniors ability lock down on defense.
Best guy off the bench – Bryce Boettcher (2020 South Eugene)
Boettcher was the glue for the Axe, shooting 8-for-11 from the field on his way to 16 points off the bench. The three sport athlete lacks ball handling, but his ability to finish at the rim was unmatched on Tuesday. Using impressive touch and footwork, the junior was the most efficient scorer for either team. Additionally, his ability to hustle and rebound made a huge difference, as he grabbed nine rebounds and two steals to go alongside his scoring.
Best intangibles – Bryce Boettcher (2020 South Eugene)
No one played as steadily as Boettcher, who knew how to find the right spot on offense all night.
Best under-the-radar performance – Josh Paul (2020 South Eugene)
The 6-foot-4 junior recorded 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block in the victory. Although he wasn’t eye-popping as a scorer, Paul filled the stat sheet and contributed a little bit of everything for the Axe. The forward’s driving layup in the fourth gave South Eugene their first lead of the night.
Best underclassmen – Samaje Morgan (2022 Churchill)
The 5-foot-8 freshman played big minutes for the Lancers on Tuesday, giving them four points, one assist, and one steal. The point guard is incredibly quick and shifty, and his presence as a sixth man on the top 5A team in the state is very impressive.
Best offensive mismatch – Silas Bennion (2020 Churchill)
Churchill’s court general went 3-for-5 on three pointers, which forced South Eugene to switch to a man defense at the half. Bennion has shot the three consistently all season, which adds a key dimension to the Lancers offensive attack.
Best aspect of the environment – Intense battling down the stretch
The clash between crosstown foes only reached its full potential in the final period, when both teams cranked up the intensity and started really getting after it. A few chaotic sequences in the last few minutes definitely turned up the excitement in the gym, and the home team eventually turned that excitement into a huge statement victory.