OSAA Playoffs: McKay Advances, South Salem Eliminated

By: Mark Gillman FullAccessSports.com

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SALEM - South Salem is out, McKay remains alive as the lone Central Valley Conference representative in the OSAA 6A Boys Basketball playoffs, following second round games played Saturday night.

Jesuit 67, South Salem 44

For the first seven minutes of their 6A playoff game with Jesuit, the South Salem Saxons held the lead on the third-ranked Crusaders.

But Jesuit turned up the defensive heat, surging into the lead and never looking back in posting a 23 point home court victory.

South scored the first five points of the game on a quick layup by Chris Rodriguez and a three-pointer by Justin Davis, and were up 13-8 with about 2 1/2 minutes left in the quarter thanks to early cold shooting by the Crusaders and strong play inside from Saxon post Blake Malone.

Jesuit finally grabbed the lead at 15-13 with 1:10 left in the quarter and added one more bucket to post a 17-13 advantage after one quarter.

In the second, the Metro League champions showed why they are among the state's best, using a stifling full court press to force five South turnovers in ninety seconds, and hitting three consecutive three pointers to push the lead to 26-13.

South never recovered.

Trailing 34-22 at halftime, the Saxons came out flat early in the third period as Jesuit outscored them 11-3 to take a 45-25 lead midway through the quarter. The Saxons manged just two field goals in the period, but used aggressive inside play by Malone and Rodriguez to get to the foul line. South made 8 of 10 free throws in the period to stay somewhat close at 48-34 heading into the fourth quarter.

But Jesuit used sharp jump shooting in the final frame to outscore South 19-10. Five Crusaders ended the night in double figures, led by first team all-leaguer Kevin Chalmers with 17. Jesuit had 11 three pointers on the night.

South Salem was paced by Malone with 16 points, while Rodriguez added 14. The Saxons end their season with a record of 16-10.

Jesuit (22-3) advances to the semi-finals next Thursday at Mac Court in Eugene. The Crusaders will face Canby in the 6:30 contest.

McKay 65, McMinnville 54

For the first time since 1993, McKay High School will be playing in the Oregon Boys Basketball Tournament. Behind the 29 points of Greg Plater, the Royal Scots ended their long tourney drought with a solid 65-54 home victory over McMinnville in the second round of 6A sub tournament play.

McKay muscled its way to an 11-8 lead after the first quarter, behind the five points of Scots post Reese Smith. McMinnville's stingy defense shutdown Plater in the period, and limited fellow first team all-conference selection Jordan Berrier to just a field goal.

The visiting Grizzlies stayed close in the second quarter, behind the shooting of Brady Martin, the leading scorer in the Pacific Conference--who ended the second quarter with a total of 12 points. McKay led 22-18 at half .

In the third quarter, McKay got off to a quick start--hitting four consecutive three pointers, including two by Plater to take a 34-23 lead midway through the period. McMinnville rallied late to narrow the deficit to 41-33 at the end of three.

McMinnville's tight defensive effort resulted in numerous foul calls, and it took its toll in the fourth period as the Grizzlies lost three starters (Martin, Michael McClure, and Warren Lambert) and a good deal of offensive fire power. The fouls also put the Scots on the foul line, where they made 17 free throws in the quarter, including 12 of 12 for Plater.

Plater got support offensive from both Smith--with 14 points--and Berrier with 8. Brady Martin had 20 points for McMinnville before fouling out, and Kyle Long added 18.

For McKay (21-5), the win means a date with Sheldon (21-6)--who beat Lincoln 70-67. The teams will meet in the opening 6A tournament game at Mac Court next Thursday at 1:30 pm.

You can follow the Royal Scots tournament run on 1490 KBZY AM.

Mid-Valley Small School Results

3A Boys/Title Game

Valley Catholic 52, Regis 50 (OT)

2A Girls/Title Game

Portland Christian 49, Santiam 31

2A Boys/Fourth Place

Western Mennonite 53, Monroe 39

2A Girls/Fourth Place

Salem Academy 57, Lost River 43

1A Girls/Title Game

St. Paul 54, Joseph 49

Next Live Action on FullAccessSports.com

IBL Basketball: Seattle Mountaineers at Salem Stampede Friday, March 30th. Air Time: 7:00 PM.

It's nice to see two local website's working together. It's called teamwork in sports. thanks again Mark Davidson.

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