The West Linn Lions (18-6, 8-2 Three Rivers League) battled the Oregon City Pioneers (11-12, 1-9 TRL) on senior night and concluded their season with a hard-fought 69-55 victory over the rival Pioneers.
The Lions had a low scoring first quarter, putting up only 14 points and facing a one point deficit. West Linn wasn’t fazed as they entered the second quarter. Holding on defense, West Linn allowed only 10 points to Oregon City, while netting 22 points of their own. By the halftime buzzer, the Lions had a commanding 36-25 lead.
The Lions continued their offensive and defensive success into the third. Led by Ryan Shearmire, junior, West Linn was able to hold the Pioneers to 13 points and Oregon City struggled to make a comeback. It also helped that the Lions extended their lead to 19 with a 57-38 lead.
In the final quarter of their last home game, seniors Alejandro Venecia, Joel Larson, Jarrod Howard and Colin Davis weren’t able to outscore the Pioneers in the fourth, but finished their regular season high school career with a win.
“It was great to give seniors more playing time than normal. They got more minutes than usual and we had moments where we played really well,” Eric Viuhkola, head coach, said.
The Lions were led by Shearmire, who had 20 points, along with Hayden Coppedge, junior, with 12, and Payton Pritchard, freshman, who finished with 11.
West Linn begins the push for the state title in the first round of the 6A tournament Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Rose Garden Arena. The time of the Lion’s game and their seed is still to be determined.
“It’s game-by-game, win or go home,” Viuhkola said. “If we win next week we get another game at home. If we win that, we go to the state tournament. But right now it’s game-by-game.”
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West Linn wins season finale on senior night, turns focus to playoffs
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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.”