Class 2A Tourney Updates & Semifinal Previews
We take a look at all the quarterfinal action from Pendleton & make some predictions about Friday’s semifinal games. Quarterfinal Wrap Ups: In the opening game of the tournament Columbia Christian, the defending state champions, jumped out to a 46-14…
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Continue ReadingWe take a look at all the quarterfinal action from Pendleton & make some predictions about Friday’s semifinal games.
Quarterfinal Wrap Ups:
In the opening game of the tournament Columbia Christian, the defending state champions, jumped out to a 46-14 halftime lead & cruised to an easy 72-42 victory over Kennedy from Mt. Angel. Leading the way as usual for the Knights was 6’9 super soph Ben Gregg, a top 50 national recruit in the class of 2021. Gregg went 13/19 from the field on his way to a 30 point 14 rebound effort. Junior guard Isiah Mariscal chipped in 12 for Columbia. Leading the way for Kennedy was senior guard Carson Hall with 16. In the closest game of the day, Knappa defeated Oakland 53-50, behind a 29 point, 7 rebound, & 5 steal performance from explosive senior guard Timber Engblom. Junior forward Colton Brownson lead the Oakers with 12 points & 6 rebounds. Toledo pulled away in the 3rd quarter to break a half time tie and defeat Santiam 68-61 in the highest scoring match up of the quarterfinals. The Boomers got their usual big game from junior wing Conner Marchant who 22 points to go along with 8 assists. They also got a nice outing from Clifton Howard who contributed 17 points & 8 rebounds. Colin Thurston lead Santiam with 19 points. In the night cap, Western Christian used a monster 3rd quarter to pull away from a scrappy Lost River squad for the 73-44 victory. Alex Nicoli went 5/7 from deep on his way to a 28 point game for the Pioneers.
Semifinal Previews:
Columbia Christian vs Knappa
The Knights have only been seriously challenged one time this season by a 2A opponent, that was back on January 10th at Knappa, where the game came down to the final few possessions. Columbia also holds two other convincing victories over the Loggers and feature a trio of talented sophomores in Gregg, Elijah Munyan, & Mo Hartwich. Knappa will counter with toughness & a deliberate attempt to slow the pace of the game considerably. Knappa may have the richest basketball tradition of any school in Oregon & their players grow up living for these types of game. At the end of the day though, they are running in to arguably the greatest player to ever play at this level in Gregg. Expect this game to be closer than anticipated, but we expect the Knights to win & get one step closer to a championship repeat.
Toledo vs Western Christian
In a match up of the two highest scoring teams in class 2A, we expect the pace to be fast & furious early on and settle in to a nice rhythm as both teams feel each other out. Western Christian is athletic, deep, physical, & experienced in these types of games. Toledo is a very talented offensive group that hasn’t been challenged much this season. Barring a once in a lifetime performance from Marchant, we expect Western to pull away in the last four minutes to win a relatively high scoring game & secure a title game rematch with Columbia.