Oregon City Shocker
Southridge's smart fourth-quarter play unceremoniously ended Oregon City's season-long unbeaten streak at the state semifinals and relegated the 11-time state champions to third placePORTLAND, Ore. -- Brittany Knighton's high school career ended with a win, but not the one she planned on.
The senior wing from Oregon City High School finished with what most would consider a stellar high school career -- a 95-11 overall record and four state trophies, including the 2009 state championship.
Oregon City girls' basketball arguably is the most dominant prep program in the state of Oregon. Entering the 6A tournament this year, the Pioneers were undefeated at 26-0 and on a collision course with Southridge, the last Oregon school to hand OCHS a loss.
On Friday, the top two teams in the state met in a semifinal, and the game didn't disappoint. Oregon City held a commanding lead early but Southridge slowly chipped away before pulling ahead permanently.
With six minutes to play and OCHS leading, 38-35, the Skyhawks of Beaverton went on a 9-3 run, and finished the game on a 20-9 tear. The final was Southridge 55, Oregon City 47. It was the Pioneers' first loss since March 2, 2008, when the Skyhawks beat them, 49-43, for the state title.
After his team's only loss of the season, Oregon City coach Kurt Guelsdorf knew exactly what to say.
"This is about Oregon City pride," he told his kids in the locker room after their loss.
The Pioneers have won 11 state championships. They pride themselves on working harder and longer and any other team in the state. The third-place game on Saturday against South Eugene was no time to pout.
"We've won 11 state championships and 15 other times we've played for trophies," Guelsdorf said. "Those kids didn't fold and our expectations are, 'You're gonna play harder.'"
Knighton, who played varsity all four years and will continue her career at Utah, took the words to heart.
"We didn't want to come out and lay another egg like we did [Friday] night," Knighton said. "We wanted to show everyone we're actually a pretty good team. Third place is pretty good."
Knighton said Friday's loss came because Oregon City got outplayed the fourth quarter, a rare occurrence. She had no intention of a repeat performance Saturday against the Axemen.
The Pioneers never trailed during their 55-47 win over South Eugene, and staved off a late Axemen run to hang onto the victory. OCHS junior guard Ashleigh Anderson hit five of six free throws in the final 58 seconds to ice the win.
"Being part of Oregon City basketball is really special because of the players who have come out of there," Knighton said. "To keep on the tradition is really special."
Southridge claimed the OSAA Class 6A championship with a 47-38 victory over Jesuit on Saturday night. It is the Skyhawks' fifth state title in the past six years. There are whispers that Southridge is on its way to being the new queen of Oregon girls' basketball, but Knighton thinks the Skyhawks still have work to do.
"They're definitely dominant but I don't think they're gonna replace us," she said. "We've won 11 state titles. They have a long ways to go."
And while her senior season didn't end the way she thought it would, point guard Taylor Belmont, the Pioneers' feisty, tenacious leader, has no regrets.
"The reason we're dominant is because we pour everything into it," Belmont said. "Since I was in the fifth grade I've been practicing to be here, last night and tonight [in the championship game]. Maybe it didn't happen that way but that's OK.
"I still had an amazing time."
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