By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
COOS BAY, Ore.– The Jefferson Girls Basketball team made things really interesting down the stretch in the 3A State Semifinals against Amity Friday afternoon.
Jefferson had mellowed out after a tough first quarter where they had started off really slow and saw Amity race out to a 17-3 lead by quarter’s end. The Lions cut it to 13 by halftime, and an Amity rally in the third quarter had the game looking like the Warriors’ first round game against Coquille from Thursday.
Trailing 41-22 at the 2:33 mark of the third quarter, the Lions roared back to life and methodically climbed back into the game. With 1:38 left in the game, following a free throw split by Gretchen Orton, Jefferson trailed the Warriors 50-43.
“I think we just finally settled in and realized that it’s basketball and just shut out the environment around us and just played,” said Jefferson’s Gretchen Orton, who scored 26 points and 12 rebounds. “Having that environment really makes you better. Knowing that one quarter, our first quarter, can damage you so much that we have to come out for four quarters tomorrow without doing any of that.”
For Amity, prior to this point, to this game, they had only played in four other games that were within ten points or less. One of those four ironically was at Jefferson back February 11 when the Warriors won 56-46.
The Warriors turned to their strengths. Energy and defense. They got the stops over the course of the final 98 seconds to close out the 52-43 victory to reach the 3A State Championship Game for the second-straight season.
“It was scary. It was a gritty win for sure. Whenever a team comes back on you, it can be nerve-racking, but we stayed strong and leveled headed. It was really good for us to have a game like that going into the Championship, we’ll be ready for it,” said Amity’s Alyssa McMullen. “They’re a team that never gives up, we also never gave up, and we leaned into each other and pulled it off. I’m really proud of all of us.”
For the sixth time in program history, Amity will be in the State Championship Game and the Warriors will be looking to win their first-ever State Championship Game after reaching the game 1990, 1991, 1997, 2016 and 2024. Having gotten there last season, the Warriors have the experience to know what to expect. Now it’s just a matter of doing what they do best: Play their game.
“If we play our game, I know we can do anything and rely on our defense and leaning into each other. Just remembering that you don’t have to do it on your own, there’s four other players on the floor with you,” said McMullen.
McMullen and Saralynn Grove each led the Warriors with ten points each. Eliza Nisly led the Warriors with nine rebounds.
Amity will play Banks for the State Tille, a 6:30pm. tip-off at Marshfield High School. The Lions will play for third Saturday morning at 11:30 am against Vale.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
