The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

The independent student media site of West Linn High School

wlhsNOW

West Linn overcomes slow first half, defeats Oregon City

The West Linn Lions (14-5, 4-1 Three Rivers League) took on the Oregon City Pioneers (10-8, 0-5 TRL) at Oregon City High School and earned a gutsy road victory after struggling in the first two quarters and being down 29-27 at the half.

The Lions defense stepped up coming out from halftime, allowing only six points and scoring 14 of their own to regain the lead going into the fourth quarter 41-33. In the fourth, the offense exploded and never looked back.

West Linn pulled away, putting up 23 points in the fourth. In the last five games the Lions have averaged 20.6 points in the final quarter. Along with the explosive offense, the Lions hounded Oregon City on defense and never allowed them to score 20 or more points in a single quarter. The Lions won, 64-49.

West Linn’s Anthony Mathis, sophomore, helped lead the Lions to victory. He led the team in scoring with 28 points. Two other Lions scored double figures: Payton Pritchard, freshman, with 13 and Ryan Shearmire, junior, who finished with 10 points.

Hunter Knighton, sophomore, guided the Pioneers with 17 points and was joined by Nolan Muckenthaler, junior, who had 16. Knighton transferred to Oregon City this year after attending West Linn the year before.

The Lions face the Clackamas Cavaliers (9-9, 2-3 TRL) at home Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

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Walker McCrae, Staff Reporter
Before Walker McCrae, senior, realized his dream of becoming a sports manager, he was faced with one task, one court and one orange leather ball. “Walker! Get on the bench!” belched his eighth grade basketball coach, distinguishable by his lopsided scowl and aggravated temper. Now staring back down to the ball, McCrae watched as the grips slipped from his fingers and the ball hit the court with a bounce and a resounding thud. Another game, another bench, another hour and a half watching the ball pass from player to player while he sat on the sidelines. Yet this time, as he took his seat, he reached a sudden epiphany. “I realized that I sucked at sports,” McCrae said, “So, logically, I became interested in sports management.” Today, instead of framing his daily life around school sports, McCrae punches his alarm at 7:15 a.m., parks his red Honda Pilot in spot 86 by 8 a.m. and, after the day ends, pulls into his driveway after fighting 20 minutes of after-school traffic. McCrae still incorporates Intramurals Basketball and tennis into his schedule during winter and spring, yet he is more invested in sports management than any other athletic interest. “Last year, I was the editor for the Athletics section, and I still contribute a large amount of articles to Athletics,” McCrae said. “My love of journalism has fed into my desire to manage a sports team by boosting my knowledge of sports culture. It has also made me respect the media immensely, as I am well aware how difficult it is to be a journalist.” McCrae hopes to pursue financial/economic studies at his school of choice-- Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. Once accepted to Barrett or another college with a Business program, McCrae plans to take every opportunity available, such as job shadowing and internships, to climb the management ladder. “Sports Management is a rigorous, competitive pursuit,” McCrae said, “but I’m super excited. I really have to bring it, not only in the classroom but also when I’m building connections with people. That’s what’ll make the difference.” For now, McCrae can be seen in the halls with a few friends, laughing at inside jokes while watching play-by-plays on his phone. “All of my friends want to be biologists, statisticians, mathematicians,” McCrae said. “I’m one of the few people I know who wants to go into my field. That doesn’t mean other kids aren’t interested in it nationwide, so like I said, I’ll still have to bring it.”  
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West Linn overcomes slow first half, defeats Oregon City