By Mike Warner
For The New Era
Lebanon’s boys put on a surge to wind down their Mid-Willamette Conference in basketball with two crucial wins last week, over Crescent Valley and Central.
The victories put the Warriors in fourth place in the league standings coming into their final regular-season game Tuesday, March 3, on the road at South Albany. Lebanon and Crescent Valley are tied for fourth place but Lebanon has the upper hand in head-to-head games. However, another win would help in the state rankings.
On Senior Recognition Night Friday, Feb. 27, the boys found themselves locked in a battle with the Raiders, who came in ranked ahead of Lebanon, for that all-important fourth position in the conference standings. The winner would have a leg up in the race to post-season play.
As with previous games, the conflict was a classic battle between the two programs. Both had specific strengths that they employed to their favor. Crescent Valley had the size, starting three players 6-5 or taller. Lebanon had the athleticism.
In the final tally, Lebanon pulled out a 60-55 win..
The Warriors started quickly and had a 10-point 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Crescent Valley cut into that lead in the second quarter and Lebanon led by only three, 30-27, at the half.
The third quarter was much the same and the Warriors led by just two, 47-45, going into the fourth quarter.
The final period was a classic as the Raiders edged to an eight-point lead with just three minutes left in the contest. That’s when the magic began to happen for the Warriors.
Lebanon intensified its defense and shots started to fall. The Warriors inched closer to the visitors and by the end of the game had turned that seven-point deficit into a five-point lead, holding Crescent Valley scoreless for the final three minutes of the game.
The Warriors rode their defense and shooting into the victory circle. They shot 39.6% (19-48) from the field including 34.6% (9-26) from the three. Their 65.5% (13-20) shooting from the free throw line was icing on the cake. Their teamwork was confirmed as 11 of their made baskets came from assists.
There were a number of contributors to the win. Gunner Miller recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, with four assists. Finn VandenBos added another 15 points, while Ryan Robinson added 11 points and four rebounds. Finally, Logan Large added 10 points and five assists.
One-point squeaker over Central
Lebanon’s boys upset 10th-ranked Central Tuesday, Feb. 24 in a one-point squeaker, keeping their hopes alive for a playoffs berth in the 49-48 win on the road.
The Panthers, currently ranked second in the conference, took down the Warriors in Lebanon in a very close game earlier this year.
As with many Mid-Willamette Conference games, the contest was a true battle of wills, with neither team in complete control. In fact, neither team led by more than three points the entire game.
It seemed as though the Warriors were pushing a big rock up a steep hill the entire game.
Lebanon was in foul trouble early on, with starting center Ryan Robinson playing only 10 minutes and eventually fouling out. In addition, Gunner Miller and Finn VandenBos missed playing time due to fouls.
If that wasn’t tough enough, the Warriors created more problem
s for themselves with shooting problems, connecting on 40.5 % (17-42) from the field but only 21.1% (4-19) from three-point land. Free throw shooting, normally a positive, was less than standard at 55% (11-20).
Even with all the challenges, they battled the Panthers and won when Gunner Miller made two free throws with only seconds remaining. Central was unable to get a last-second shot and the Warriors walked away with the huge win.
Contributors to the win included Large with 14 points, three rebounds, and three steals; and Miller with 12 points, six boards, two steals and five assists. Sam Tunstill stepped in for Robinson and scored 10 points, with seven rebounds.
“It’s all God,” Coach Casey VandenBos said after the win. “He has given me the endurance to walk this path and I was able to reap some of the harvest tonight. I praise him on the mountain tops and even more in the valleys.”
