High School Sports Zone Jan. 1

Millers’ girls, Billies’ boys poised for conference play

Athlete of the Week

Thurston Boys Basketball – Lucas Labounty

He led the colts to a 3-1 record, averaging 27 points per game. He scored 33 in a 64-46 victory over West Linn, and 24 of his 28 came in the second half of a 74-65 victory over North Medford (a Top 10 6A school).

In Case You Missed It

Marist rallies past Bulldog boys

Above: The Creswell bench reacts to Marist Catholic’s second-half run. Below: The Spartans defense controlled Creswell’s offense. Marist is 2-0 vs. Creswell this year.
ADON ECCLES / CHRONICLE PHOTO

CRESWELL – An atmospheric river hit Lane County on Thursday, but it blew through the Cottage Grove High School basketball gym early in the fourth quarter of the Battle of I-5 Tournament boys semifinal game between Marist Catholic and Creswell on Friday.

Marist sophomore forward Fletcher Pollard – after making his second consecutive 3-pointer and his team’s fourth in a row – yelled “Let’s go!” and chest-bumped teammate Gianni Lombardi to punctuate a 12-0 run that took the Spartans from down 39-36 to up 48-39.

The game finished 57-48, with the Spartans riding a hot shooting second half to the win.

These teams met Dec. 4 in each school’s season-opener and Marist won 54-52. That game turned in the third quarter, when Marist outscored Creswell 17-10. The rematch had a sense of déjà vu, with another 17-10 third quarter swinging the momentum.

The Bulldogs led 27-17 at halftime on the strength of its defense and ability to get downhill. The Spartans came out of halftime with a full-court man-to-man defense, which forced the Bulldogs into mistakes.