SUTHERLIN – Sutherlin got balanced scoring and a big defensive effort Saturday night to pull away for a 53-36 win over Brookings-Harbor in a class 4A boys play-in game at Sutherlin High School.
The Bulldogs (17-8, 8-2 Sky-Em) got 14 points each from Brandon Carr and Mason Gill and 10 from Payton Hope to eliminate the Bruins from the playoffs.
Sutherlin outscored Brookings (12-13, 6-4 Far West) in the second quarter 13-4 and were never seriously threatened after that.
John Kleespies, a 6-foot-4 junior, led the Bruins with 10 points and Brig Schofield added eight points.
The Bulldogs will advance to the state playoffs to take on the Newport Cubs Saturday at Newport. They Cubs won the Oregon West Conference.