FOREST GROVE, OR – The Sutherlin girls basketball team is a big step closer to a third-straight state title after a hard fought 37-29 victory over second-ranked Banks Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the O.S.A.A/U.S. Bank/Les Schwab Tires 4A girls basketball tournament at Forest Grove High School.
The Bulldogs trailed for most of three quarters before they finally took a one point lead 24-23 lead at the end of the third period, despite having 14 turnovers in the first half alone.
The Bulldogs defense held the Braves to just two points in the third quarter and only eight for the entire second half.
Harley Baker scored 18 to lead the Sutherlin offense, including 9-12 from the free throw line. Kayce Mock had 10 points and 14 rebounds. Taylor Stricklin, the leading scorer for the Bulldogs, was held to seven points, but had eight rebounds.
The Bulldogs improve to 25-1 and advance to the semifinals for the 5th straight year, where they will face Mazama on Friday night at 6:30 at Liberty High School in Hillsboro. Fans can hear the game on i101fm with the pregame at 6:15 p.m.
Mazama jumped out to a 17-2 first quarter lead over the Seaside Seagulls and withstood a Seaside rally to take a 44-31 victory to improve to 21-5 for the season and advance to the semis. The Bulldogs beat Mazama in the first round of the tournament last year.
