Offensive rebounds in the final minute help the Blue Jays to a 48-41 win over SW Christian
PORTLAND The first team that hit a hot streak was going to win Thursdays opening-round Valley 10 boys playoff game. The match was struck midway through the second quarter when Portland Lutherans Tyler Stanfill scored on three straight possessions.
His eight-point burst was capped with a 3-pointer from several feet beyond the arc, as the Blue Jays saw their slim 9-6 lead expand to 11 points.
Teammate Jonathan Parrish took the reigns in the third quarter, scoring 11 of the teams 13 points to keep the Blue Jays comfortably in front heading down the stretch.
Portland Lutheran found itself up 10 with 3:30 to play, only to see Southwest Christian cut the gap to 43-41 after Connor Stephenson swiped a ball at halfcourt and got loose for a layup with 0:46 on the clock.
The Blue Jays sealed the 48-41 victory by going 5 for 8 (.625) from the free-throw line. The team rebounded two of their misses, keeping the ball in its half of the court while precious seconds ticked away.
Portland Lutheran plays in the third-place game at 5:30 p.m. Saturday with the winner gaining a spot in the 1A state bracket. The tournament is being played at Multnomah University.
The Portland Lutheran girls dropped a 50-43 decision to Portland Waldorf, in a game that saw 10 second-half lead changes.
A Kaitlin Howard free throw gave the Blue Jays their last lead 42-41 with three minutes left before Waldorfs Anya Conlon knocked down three late baskets to power the Wolfpack to the win.
Waldorf plays SW Christian in the third-place game at 4 p.m. Saturday, while Damascus Christian faces City Christian in the 7 p.m. title game.
Look for expanded coverage of the Valley 10 playoffs in the Tuesday, Feb. 19, print edition.
View a photo gallery of Portland Lutherans first-round games at
Boys http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/feb14_pls-swc_boys_hoops
Girls http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/feb14_pls-waldorf_girls_hoops