Country Christian secured the 1A boys basketball state championship with a 60-48 victory over Union in the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union final at Baker High School on March 7. Senior Blake Halverson led the Cougars, scoring 22 points on perfect shooting from the field.
The win marks Country Christian’s second state title in program history, following their first in 2015. Head coach Dawson Nofziger said, “I think it’s still setting in a little bit, still a little surreal. It feels good to see all that hard work for the boys pay off and to do it on the biggest stage and all come together on our last game of the season is just awesome.”
Nofziger reflected on sharing this achievement with his father Doug, who coached the team to its previous championship. “Not many guys can say they won a championship after their dad did it at the same school, and to have him on the bench with me,” he said. “Playing under my dad years ago and then coaching alongside him and then having him help me these last eight years, it’s stuff little boys dream about.”
Union started strong but Country Christian responded quickly, taking control by halftime thanks to Halverson’s early scoring and contributions from junior Ryan Gordon and senior Andrew Ives. The Cougars maintained their lead through consistent defense and timely baskets from players like Tyson Smith, Danyon Schneider, and Jesse Hernandez.
Coach Nofziger credited his team’s defensive focus for their success: “Our offense hasn’t been clicking for the last couple of weeks, so we really harped on the ol’ defense wins championships. They bought in every night and I think these last two weeks we’ve held people under their average.”
Halverson finished with 22 points and five rebounds; Schneider added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds; Gordon contributed another double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Country Christian shot over 46 percent as a team while holding Union below 33 percent.
In other placement games at state, Crosspoint Christian defeated South Wasco County for fourth place while Open Door Christian took third by beating North Clackamas Christian.
