By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
TURNER, Ore.– It’s crazy to think that the Toledo Boys Basketball team has made it to the Valley Coast Conference Title Game.
They entered the VCC League Playoffs 5-5 in the league season and since the beginning of the ride, they’ve defeated Monroe, 47-42, on Tuesday before defeating Crosshill Christian, 68-56, on Thursday to get to the Conference Title Game. Not only did they reach Saturday’s Conference Title Game, but they also punched their ticket to the 2A State Playoffs in the process following their victory over the Eagles on the road.
“It’s been an up-and-down battle. I mean for a while there we weren’t thinking that we’d get to this point. Halfway through the season, it was questionable. Sickness, injuries, but they keep coming in and working hard,” said Boomer Head Coach Kyle Wolf.
Before they could reach this point, Toledo had to grind out a hard-fought victory over Crosshill Christian. The Eagles were aiming to extend their streak of 12 consecutive playoff appearances, dating back to their days in 1A, but found themselves trailing the Boomers 21–11 after the first quarter.
But slowly, Toledo came around. They picked up their intensity and started hitting their shots.
By halftime, the Boomers trailed 39-33. Toledo weren’t done yet as they pulled ahead 50-48 going into the fourth quarter.
“Toledo came out, they played a really good game. They shot the ball really well. They were composed. We didn’t make shots, we started to get discouraged and our defense wasn’t the best. We couldn’t keep them in front and they took advantage of it and they hit shots when they needed to. They played a great game,” said Crosshill Christian Head Coach Brian Spaulding said. “You got to play your best when your best is expected and we didn’t play our best tonight.”
Crosshill Christian hung around. It was a 52-all game two minutes into the fourth quarter, but that was when Toledo begin pulling away for good. The Boomers finished the game on a 16-4 run to close out the game. That intensity, that confidence, their defense. All the things that helped them tonight, they’re hoping to do the same Saturday against East Linn Christian for the Valley Coast Conference District Title.
“Come out with the same intensity. Play in their face defense and hit the wide open shots,” said Wolf.
Evan Putnam led Toledo with 23 points, Mason Chamberlin contributed another 18 points with five three-pointers. Grady Lute led the Eagles with 22 points as Crosshill Christian closes out the season 13-12.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
