![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
West Linn Basketball advances to Rose Garden with win over Grant Generals; Girls fall to South Salem
The West Linn Lions (24-4, 10-0 Three Rivers League) took on the Grant Generals (13-13, 4-4 6A Special District 2) Saturday night and with a 76-51 win, advanced to the Rose Garden for the fourth year in a row.
After struggling early in the first quarter, the Lions were led by guard Payton Pritchard, sophomore, who netted 21 points, 19 in the first half. Building a double-digit lead during the second half, West Linn cruised, even going on a 27-3 run from the end of the third to mid-fourth quarter.
Anthony Mathis, junior, and Hayden Coppedge, senior, scored 19 and 15 points respectively to help push the Lions to the Garden. West Linn will be in a rematch of last season’s state title game against the Central Catholic Rams (17-9, 10-0 Mt. Hood Conference).
The girls team (18-7, 6-4 TRL) took on the South Salem Saxons (22-5, 10-0 Central Valley Conference) and fell 62-44. After a dominating 63-12 victory over the Barlow Bruins, the Lions were hoping to advance to the Rose Garden for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.
West Linn struggled on offense in the first half, putting up only 13 points and allowing 32 to the Saxons. The Lions were led by guard Sidney Kolasinski, junior, and Genna Hughes, senior, who scored 15 and 11 points respectively.
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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!...
