PLEASANT HILL – Pleasant Hill finished second in the state last year in Luke Jackson’s first year as head coach.
Now the Billies get a chance to reach the top of the hill.
With Doug Green and Landen Melvin combining for 50 points, Pleasant Hill made 10 first-half 3-pointers and steamrolled Neah-Kah-Nie 79-40 on Friday night in their 3A boys state tournament game, leaving no doubt that the Billies appear primed to make another run at a state title.
No. 5-seeded Pleasant Hill (21-5) takes on No. 4 Riverside (23-4) – the team that crosstown rival Creswell upset to go to Coos Bay last season – in Thursday’s quarterfinal round at 3:15 p.m.
The Billies were coming off a disheartening loss to Creswell in the league championship game – their first loss to the Bulldogs after seven straight wins – but they were laser-focused against Neah-Kah-Nie (17-8).
Oh, and it was good to have a healthy Green back, too.
After the visitors scored the first basket, Green hit a 3-pointer from the baseline. Then he scored on a driving layup. After a turnover led to a Melvin dunk, Green swished another 3 … and then another, to put P-Hill ahead 16-9. Noah Johnson’s 3-pointer with 55 seconds left made it 21-10 after one quarter.
Green had a career-high 28 points in his return from a chip fracture in his left foot.
“I didn’t play for two weeks, but it’s good now. I have no pain at all,” Green said after the game. “I’d say I’m 90 percent. I came down on somebody’s foot and rolled it. It’s a chip fracture, but the doctors say it can’t get any worse.”
Green has extra incentive to play well at state – he had a lower-leg injury last year and had to sit out all the games.
“I definitely think we have a chance to win a state championship,” the junior forward said. “We’re definitely one of the most skilled teams, and when we play together, nobody can stop us.”
“Doug is a great player,” Jackson said. “I think he’s back – he proved that tonight.
“I’m just super proud of the kids. We went undefeated in league, we were conference champions, Landen was Player of the Year, Doug was 1st Team, Jacob (Neeley) was 2nd Team, we got three Honorable Mentions, and I got Coach of the Year, which is just a tribute to the kids.
“You work all season for a chance to go to Coos Bay, and we’ve given ourselves that chance. We have a different team – we shoot the ball a little better than last year.”
With Melvin being the league Player of the Year, he’s enjoying sitting back and watching his teammates soak up some of the attention.
“I feel like this team is clicking and ready to go,” Melvin said. “I just love how we’re playing, swinging the ball, and everyone’s shooting the lights out now, so when anybody drives in, we can just kick it out for wide-open 3s”.
“We pride our game on swinging the rock and getting open shots. And it doesn’t have to be me – it can be anybody. I’m really confident in any of our guys shooting the ball.”
