FOREST GROVE, OR – The Sutherlin Lady Bulldogs are back at the championship tournament site for a fifth straight year and this time they’re playing for a third consecutive state title.

Sutherlin goes to Forest Grove High School Thursday to face the Banks Braves. The Bulldogs are the 7-seed in the bracket and its the first time over their five-year run that they are not a No. 1 seed.

Banks comes in as the No. 2 seed in the tournament and the Braves have reeled off 16 straight wins. They won the Cowapa League with a 10-0 and finished the regular season 21-3. Last year the Braves made the tournament as the No. 10 seed and finished 6th overall. 

The Lady Bulldogs enter the quarterfinals on a 20-game winning streak. Sutherlin’s only loss of the year came in December against a team from California.

Sutherlin and Banks square off in the final game of quarterfinal round in the 4A state tournament. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Thursday and pregame coverage begins at 8 p.m. on i101fm.

– Joey Keeran | joey@bciradio.com | @joeykeeran