Union High School’s boys basketball team advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since 1949, defeating Crosspoint Christian 55-43 in the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 1A boys basketball state tournament quarterfinals at Baker High School.
Senior KJ Klebaum led Union with 17 points, five rebounds and three steals. “KJ was doing KJ things,” said Union head coach Odin Miller. “He’s been an absolute dawg for us all year and I look for him to continue that through the rest of the tournament. He’s ready for the moment and can flat out get it done.
“I’m so proud of his leadership and how he approaches the game. He lifts his teammates up and builds a belief in all of them that they can compete at the highest level.”
Sophomore Jace McCraw contributed 15 points, while sophomore Dawson Miller added 10 points and eight rebounds. Senior Joey McCraw scored eight points with two made three-pointers and six rebounds.
For Crosspoint Christian, senior Davis Hartwell led with eight points on two made threes. Junior Dylan DeJong also had eight points and seven rebounds.
Reflecting on Union’s milestone, coach Odin Miller stated: “I’m incredibly proud of this group. They are coachable and driven. I never have to worry about the effort they put forward. It’s inspiring. As an alumni of Union, this means a lot to our community and our athletic programs in general.”
Union will face North Clackamas Christian in Friday’s semifinal after previously beating them during nonleague play earlier in the season.
North Clackamas Christian secured its place in the semifinals by overcoming Valor Christian/Tualatin Academy 56-40. Sophomore Brandon Lee scored 22 points with six rebounds, while Ethan Hiebenthal hit four three-pointers among his 15 points.
“Stingy Valor defense and some Baker City nerves took away most of our offense in the first half, so it as super crucial that Brandon kept us afloat by knocking down some buckets,” said NCCS head coach Grant Nelson.
“Our guys loosened up in the second half and started playing with more confidence and passion on both ends of the floor,” Nelson added. “Ethan’s been a clutch shooter for us all year long so no surprise that he came up big in the second half. He’s proven this year that no moment is too big for him.”
Valor Christian/Tualatin Academy will play Crosspoint Christian next in consolation semifinals.
Open Door Christian reached its second consecutive semifinal after upsetting South Wasco County 65-60 by limiting Jason Hull—the state’s leading scorer—to just 15 points.
“Our boys did a great job of making every look difficult for (Hull),” Open Door head coach Edwin Lugo said.
Open Door trailed by one going into the fourth but finished strong behind junior Ethan Zelenivskiy’s double-double (21 points, 13 rebounds) along with Ben Buzhduga’s four three-pointers among his 16 points.
“Our game plan was to keep it close and make a big push late,” Lugo explained. “We have some very capable shooters and we knew if we valued the ball that we would have open looks. The question was, could we hit them? And we did.”
South Wasco County will meet Prairie City/Burnt River next in consolation play.
Country Christian advanced after defeating Prairie City/Burnt River 53-33, breaking away late thanks to senior Blake Halverson’s inside scoring (14 points). Head coach Dawson Nofziger emphasized rebounding as key: “We knew we had to beat them on the boards and limit their second chance opportunities because they crash so hard and are extremely athletic,” Nofziger said. “Barely won that battle but I thought our defense set the tone and carried us when shots weren’t falling in the first half.”
“I’d say the turning point was our shot selection in the second half,” Nofziger added. “Getting it inside and attacking the hoop.”
Country Christian will face Open Door Christian again Friday; Open Door won their previous league matchup earlier this season.
