By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore. — It took double overtime to decide a winner between Cascade and South Salem in the Capitol City Classic Camry Bracket on Saturday night, but it at least lived up to the hype.
Cascade, the 4A school in the Bracket, built a 32-21 lead midway through the third quarter only to see South Salem rally to force overtime at 44. Emma Burlison hit the tying three-pointer to force the extra time.
The Saxons were physical, they brought the intensity and picked up their energy to overcome their slow start to make it a ball game.
“It shows how mentally strong that we are because it’s tough going to double overtime, especially getting down to five points and then then coming back, it’s just shows that we can keep pushing through, ” said Brook Tate, who led the Saxons with 18 points. “It was our energy, a lot of us wanted to beat this team and we just picked it up and i think that’s what got us going.”
The Cougars focused back up and embraced the dogfight they found themselves in. They had throughout the game, more so now as they battled for a second overtime with the game tied at 51.
Cascade kept battling, but it a few minor hiccups allowed South Salem to slip away with the 59-53 victory.
“It was definitely a great opportunity for us to experience that and I think that’s only going to ep us dowj the road. It’ll prepare us for teams like that we’ll see down the road, the tough, hard teams down the road that don’t quit on the effort and keep going,” said Rozalynn Schmunk.
Schmunk and Cassidy Crabtree each led the Cougars with 14 points in the defeat. Cascade will play the loser of Amity-Grants Pass Monday while the Saxons play the winner of Amity-Grant Pass for the Camry Bracket Championship Game on Monday.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
