Reserve Plan Powers Clackamas
Despite being diverted from their original gameplan, Clackamas (OR) HS was able to
muster up enough to grind out a 40-37 win over Beaverton (OR) Southridge HS to
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move on to the OSAA 4A State Tournament semifinals.
Especially recently, Clackamas has run their offense through their center,
6-11, 310 pound Adonal "Junior" Arrington. But when the burly big man picked
up two quick fouls early in the first quarter, the Cavaliers had to adjust.
Enter senior Tyson Papenfuss. The skinny swingman was somewhat forgotten after
the opening game of the state tournament where he scored a non-descript 15
points. But Papenfuss, who averaged 24.3 points per game during the regular
season, stepped up to the plate for the Cavs, especially in the second half.
After Clackamas had struggled in the first half, trailing 19-18 at the break,
Papenfuss picked up the pace in the third quarter by attacking the basket with
his drives to the hoop.
"I like to drive more than anything, I like to slash," said Papenfuss. "I like
to finish and get to the rim."
And get to the rim Papenfuss did. After Southridge senior forward Jordan
Oathes hit a jumper at the 1:46 mark of the third giving the Skyhawks a 28-26
lead, Papenfuss scored six straight points on drives, the final two off a steal
and one-handed slam to close out the period to give the Cavs a four point
advantage heading into the final stanza.
A jumper from Southridge senior guard Ryan DePalo opened up the fourth quarter,
but Clackamas again rattled off six straight points, culminating in a putback
of a missed free throw by senior center Matt Storms to give the Cavs a
commanding 38-30 lead. But Southridge ran off on a 7-0 streak of their own,
and a layup by senior guard Ben Moon brought the Skyhawks to within one at
38-37 at the 2:42 mark.
But that would be Southridge's last true gasp. After Arrington made one of two
free throws at 2:08, the Skyhawks ran down the clock looking for a final shot
to tie or take the lead. However, Clackamas' tough defense shut off Oathes'
drives and covered the Skyhawks' lethal three-point shooters, so much that
Southridge could not get a good look. Finally, with 26 seconds left Oathes got
off a shot under heavy pressure, but it missed. After a Clackamas free throw,
the Skyhawks had one final chance, but senior guard Colin Elliott's three try
was blocked by Papenfuss and the Cavs were on to the Final Four.
While Papenfuss' scoring touch was critical in Clackamas' victory, it was his
defense on Oathes – who only scored two points in the fourth quarter - that
helped make a difference.
"Whenever he'd go down on the block, I'd go down and double him," said
Papenfuss. "So we'd have two guys on him when he got the ball inside, because
he's a great player. But we shut him down."
Papenfuss finished with 22 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free
throw line. He was the only Cavs player in double figures. Oathes scored 20
points and grabbed seven rebounds for Southridge, who finished the game
shooting only 34.1 percent from the field.
Clackamas advances to the tournament semis, where they will play Redmond (OR)
HS in Friday's nightcap.
Jed Tai is a Senior Writer with Hoopville.com