Photograph by John Gunther
NORTH BEND — Cascade Christian's boys handed their first take a look at of their quest for a 3rd straight OSAA/OnPoint Group Credit score Union 3A basketball match title because the Challengers pulled away from De La Salle Northern Catholic within the second half Thursday for a 78-60 victory at North bend Excessive Faculty.
Subsequent up is Cascade Christian, one other large take a look at, the No. 2 seed Valley Catholicwho used a robust second half to take a beating Dayton within the subsequent quarter-final. De La Salle, Valley Catholic and the highest seed Westside Christian on the opposite half of the group have been the co-champions of the Lewis & Clark League.
Cascade Christian and Valley Catholic meet at 3:15 p.m Marshfield Excessive Faculty, after the primary semifinal between Westside Christian and Harrisburg at 1:30.
“We needed to run the gauntlet final yr,” Cascade Christian coach Brian Morse he stated. “I name it working the gauntlet 2.
The primary recreation was a lot harder than the 18-point last distinction would possibly counsel.
Cascade Christian obtained off to a quick begin and led by 10 factors late within the first quarter earlier than the Knights started to chip away. Quincy Aranda hit half court docket on the buzzer, De La Salle was again inside 4 factors. The Knights took the lead with 12 seconds left within the half on two free throws by Aranda, however the Challengers went to the locker room trailing by one at 38-37 when Avery Huston dunked on the different finish earlier than the buzzer.
Typical of Cascade Christian's unselfish fashion, the Challengers had 12 assists on 15 area objectives whereas taking pictures 60 p.c from the ground within the opening half, however De La Salle had 15 extra photographs to make up for the decrease taking pictures share (42 p.c).
Cascade Christian's share dipped within the second half, however the Challengers rebounded higher and took benefit of De La Salle's taking pictures woes.
“We talked at halftime about doing the issues that obtained us right here — rebounding, holding again, being affected person on offense,” Morse stated.
And play at full throttle.
“We wish to run the ball,” Morse stated. “That put us within the lead.
So the challengers upped the ante, which is often the De La Salle fashion, and seized the chance.
Austin Maurer completed with 24 factors and 16 rebounds for the Challengers, and the 7-foot senior fended off a few of his personal errors and got here again. Huston additionally had 24 factors and added 10 boards Jaren Fronckowiak he had 11 factors.
The shut recreation was a blast, Fronckowiak stated.
“It was thrilling,” he stated. “I really like the strain, I really like the gang, I really like the power.
Fronckowiak performed a key function within the Challengers offense with six assists and stated the staff is doing nicely sharing the ball.
“We wish to get our teammates concerned and share the rock,” he stated.
The Challengers completed with 17 assists on 27 objectives and shot simply over 50 p.c for the sport (27-for-53).
Morse anticipated an in depth recreation from the Knights. The 2 groups performed within the championship recreation two years in the past, and the Challengers beat the Knights by one within the semifinals final yr.
Subsequent up is one other large contest with the Valiants
De La Salle, in the meantime, will attempt to bounce again within the comfort semifinals Friday morning towards Dayton.
Aranda had 17 factors for the Knights and Jaylen Hill added 14 factors whereas battling Maurer inside.
