By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
FOREST GROVE, Ore.– Rule number one of High School basketball is that you do not rule out a basketball team coached by Tal Wold.
Rule number two of High School Basketball is you do not rule out that basketball team coached by Tal Wold.
Here’s why:
They’ll always find ways to get it done. And they did that once more Friday night to reach the 4A State Championship Game for the second straight year following their 66-52 victory over Henley.
The first half was nightmarish to say the least for the Eagles as the Hornets were able to control the game in many of the categories. Rebounding, getting to the line, hitting their shots. Henley started the game up 9-0 and led by six entering the halftime break.
The saving grace for the Eagles was that they were hitting their three-pointers. Five of them actually as they trailed 28-22 at the intermission.
And the talk at halftime was simple: play tougher and go back to the fundamentals that made them who they are.
“We needed to be tougher for sure, that’s what we were talking about at halftime. They were out-toughing us a lot. We wanted to keep our girls in front of us and picking it up defensively and getting the boards,” said Brecci Hampton.
The third quarter saw the Eagles come around. A 14-0 run by Stayton pushed them ahead.
The momentum was in their favor as they went into the fourth leading Henley 45-39 en route to what would become a 45-39 victory.
“It was huge for us. It fuels us. We look not to lay off the gas the whole game,” said Hampton.
Hampton would go on to hit on six three-pointers, the Eagles finished with 11 total from three, and finish with 22 points. Kathryn Samek contributed another 17 points and nine rebounds.
Stayton will play for the title at 8:45pm in Saturday night.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
