Sports Zone

Dawgs honor seniors, will play off for state bid

The Bulldogs honored seniors (from left) Jack Callahan, Eli Ream, Chance Bellew, Trey Magnuson and Dylan Miller before tipoff of Friday’s Senior Night home game against Coquille. GINI DAVIS – THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE

The Bulldogs honored seniors Trey Magnuson, Jack Callahan, Chance Bellew, Eli Ream and Dylan Miller before tipoff of their final regular season game, against Coquille on Feb. 10.
The seniors’ families presented congratulatory gifts as the seniors’ letters of appreciation and favorite basketball memories were read aloud. The seniors were also presented with scrapbooks, posters and framed action photos.
The Bulldogs nipped at the Red Devils’ heels the entire way, leading 14-10 after one and trailing just 22-24 at halftime. Creswell ended the third period down 36-41 before falling 58-61.
”We defended fairly well, but they’re hard to guard; they’ve got good bigs, good ballhandlers and good shooters – they’ve got five on the court that can score at all times,” said Creswell Head Coach Jesse Thomas.
With 1:12 left to play, Creswell closed to 51-55, but 67-percent foul shooting cost the Dawgs, who shot 32 free throws in the game to Coquille’s 24 but sank just 21.
Offensively, ”We had our opportunities; we got a lot of great looks that didn’t go down,” Thomas said. ”A couple more shots and a few more free throws and that’s the difference in the game.”
Callahan and Henry Scolari of Coquille each scored a game-high 19 points. Callahan added five rebounds; Magnuson had 10 points and six boards; Bellew also had 10 points. Seth Waddington added 16 for Coquille.
On Feb. 5, Creswell downed host La Pine 53-47. Nearly winless in league, the Hawks successfully went inside to their bigs and ”hit a bunch of threes,” while the Bulldogs struggled to score, especially early, Thomas said.
The Dawgs trailed 11-17 after one and 27-29 at halftime but led 36-34 after three. Creswell was up 10 with a minute left in the game, but La Pine scored on their last two possessions to narrow the margin.
Magnuson recorded a double-double with a game-high 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Callahan added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists; Tayler Forsman had 14 points and three steals; Bellew added eight points and eight boards. Jiroux Gerhart scored 14 for the Hawks.
On Feb. 6, the Bulldogs defeated the visiting Harrisburg Eagles 51-45. Tied 12-12 after one, Creswell led 24-22 at halftime and 31-29 after three. ”Again, we shot really poorly and didn’t defend well – and they made some tough shots,” Thomas said.
The Dawgs were 14-for-33 on field goals and just one-for-10 from three.
Tyler Frieze led Creswell with 12 points. Callahan had 11, Bellew had 10, Magnuson had nine plus six rebounds and Kai Apo also had six boards.
Post Kyle Ruckert scored a game-high 24 for Harrisburg. ”He killed us,” Thomas said.
After finishing regular league play tied 7-3 for second place, 13th-ranked Creswell and 18th-ranked Pleasant Hill play off at Harrisburg this week. The winner travels to fifth-ranked league champ Coquille this weekend to determine first and second seeds to state.
”Hopefully we’ll get it done against Pleasant Hill and be on our way to Coquille,” Thomas said.

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