By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
JEFFERSON, Ore.– The Jefferson Girls Basketball team has finally done it.
After being close the last two years, reaching the second round of the 3A State Playoffs and one win away from Coos Bay, they finally got over the hump and got that win to return to the final site in 32 years.
It’s been since 1993, when they were 2A and went to Pendleton the last time they reached the Final Site. And they broke the drought on home court, where they had their first-ever home playoff game in program history.
It’s been the hard work and sacrifice they’ve put in to get to this point as a program. Two years ago, the Lions played Creswell on the road, defeating the Bulldogs narrowly to pick up their first-ever State Playoff win before falling to Sutherlin in the second round. Last season, on the heels of winning their first league title, a Co-Championship with Amity, since 1989, Jefferson suffered another second round heartbreak at Westside Christian.
And then, this year, the hard schedule they put together set up for the moment they were in once again. Second round of the playoffs. Creswell came to their place for a spot in Coos Bay, and it paid off following their hard fought 57-42 victory over the Bulldogs.
“I’m just thrilled for the team that we have. We’ve worked so hard to get here. Each year, a little further, each year another step/ I’m just happy for them for now getting to experience Coos Bay and have a chance to go get a trophy and bring it back here,” said Jefferson Head Coach Zach Maison.
The Lions led 10-3 to start, led by double-figures in the second quarter before Creswell got it to five by the halftime break, 26-21. It was one of those weird games in which Jefferson would go on a run, go up 10, 11, 12 only to see the Bulldogs cut it to five, six points and force the hand of Jefferson to stop them. The Lions did and would burst back ahead again.
“I think we’re going to have better teamwork. We started the game a little rough, but we’re just going to work really hard,” said Bella Kunkel. “We’ve played with each other for a really long time, so being able to grow up with your friends and play with your friends really means a lot to us.”
It was only a taste of what they’ll experience at Coos Bay now where every team is just as good as them and Creswell. Plus a rambunctious crowd like the one they played in front of game-in and game-out. And to close out a game like Friday’s, where they entered the fourth quarter up nine, 44-35 and slowly built their lead to the 15-point spread that it was by game’s end, was a huge moment for the squad going into next weekend.
“It was the runs. We really learned that in this game. Even though it was close, all of our runs really helped us get where we got,” said Gretchen Orton. “We have to understand that we’re not done, we can celebrate now, but we have to go out to practice tomorrow, and we have to stay focused. Staying our composure, it kind of got us with this environment, but that’s how it’s going to be in Coos Bay… and just do what we know.”
The Lions hit 11 three-pointers, Aliya Saad and Aziza Saad, each hit four three-pointers in the win. Orton led Jefferson with 19 points, and Aziza Saad scored another 14.
Mila Nguyen led Creswell with 15 points.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
