CHS 1981 state semifinal defeat. Cover.
Mark Few, head coach of Gonzaga’s men’s basketball team, was part of an undefeated and top-ranked team that reached the Final Four once before.
Forty years ago, in fact, during Few’s senior year at Creswell High School, in 1981.
He was the point guard then, and the Bulldogs were steamrolling into the Class AA Oregon Final Four tournament with a 24-0 record.
Creswell was stunned by LaSalle in the semifinal, losing 36-34 in overtime. It was difficult for CHS to recover in time for the third-place game, which it then lost to Marist, 29-27.
“It was tough getting up for Marist after losing Friday night,” 6-7 junior center Todd Buerk told The Chronicle after the game in 1981. “We just weren’t into it. I’m sorry we lost the last two games, but there are a lot of teams who would trade places with us. A 24-2 record isn’t bad.”
Randy Schott was a standout on the ’81 Bulldogs, earning first team all-tournament honors at state that year.
Of course, things turned out differently for Few this past Saturday, when his Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated UCLA in overtime during the national semifinals. Gonzaga is facing Baylor in the national title game tonight.
Inside coverage of 1981 CHS basketball team.
