West Linn rolls over South Eugene 81-59, in state semifinal

The West Linn Boys Varsity Basketball team (24-4, 13-1 Three Rivers League) is one step closer to its third straight state title with a 81-59 win over the South Eugene Axemen (21-8, 12-2 Southwest Conference) at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center.

West Linn started off hot with a 24-13 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended it further with a 43-25 lead at halftime. The Axemen defense could not contain the Lions offense, as Payton Pritchard, junior, led the team with 20 points. At one point in the second half the West Linn led by 28 points, which helped them cruise to a 81-59 victory.

With the win, the lions advance to the state championship game for the third year in a row. They will play the Jesuit Crusaders (24-4, 14-0 Metro League) in the state championship game, Saturday at 3:15 p.m. at the Chiles Center. If West Linn is victorious, they will be the second team in Oregon history win three state championships in a row with the other being Jesuit.