South Medford advanced to the final of the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 6A girls basketball tournament after a last-second win over Tualatin on March 13. Senior Mayen Akpan scored at the buzzer, giving the Panthers a 56-55 victory at the Chiles Center.
The result was significant as it ended top-seeded Tualatin’s hopes for a repeat championship and marked South Medford’s chance for a second title in three seasons. The game featured several lead changes and a dramatic finish that left spectators stunned.
Akpan finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while senior guard Dyllyn Howell contributed 17 points, including four three-pointers during a key third-quarter run. “It just felt like it was in slow motion,” Akpan said about her game-winning shot. “I knew I could catch it, it was just depending on if it would go in or not. But all those missed layups, that one made up for it.” Coach Tom Cole described the play: “We knew that the backside was going to be open because they were going to pressure. We were able to make one extra pass, and Dyllyn made an unbelievable pass, and Mayen executed it.”
Tualatin led by as many as twelve points in the first half but could not hold off South Medford’s comeback. Sophomore Love Lei Best led Tualatin with 18 points, six assists, and six steals. “I believe in the girls. We all believe in each other. We just kept grinding and fighting,” Best said.
West Linn also secured its place in the final by defeating Benson 55-44 behind strong performances from Reese Jordan and Kaylor Buse. Lions coach Brooke Cates said her team played with confidence: “We played really good defense, and just locked them down… These kids are a year older and they’re playing with a different level of maturity.” Benson struggled offensively, shooting only twenty-nine percent from the field.
South Medford will face West Linn for the championship on Saturday night.
