HERMISTON, Ore.-The Hermiston Varsity Girls Basketball team hosted University in a WIAA District 6 playoff game on February 17.
The winner-to-state matchup of two highly seeded teams was a back-and-forth affair that wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter, with University escaping the Dawg House with a narrow 56-47 win.
The second-seeded Bulldogs were paced by the steady offensive presence of Lucy Teegarden in a low-scoring first half against the third-seeded University, and the Titans took a 19-18 lead into halftime of the winner-to-state matchup.
Hermiston ramped up their defensive intensity in the second half, forcing several turnovers and held the lead going into the fourth quarter, thanks to some clutch shooting from Sofia Rodriguez, including back-to-back threes in the third quarter.
University hit some timely shots from distance themselves, and their offensive rebounding enabled the Titans to claim victory.
Offensive rebounds and the second-chance points they produced were ultimately the difference in the game, according to Hermiston Head Coach Jay Ego.
“When it’s all said and done maybe as many as half of their points came off offensive rebounds,” said Ego. “Offensively we missed some good shots, we settled at times, rather than attacking.”
Despite the loss, everything Hermiston hopes to accomplish on the hardwood is still possible, and the Bulldogs can still punch their ticket to state with two more wins on their home court.
“It couldn’t be more one game at a time now,” said Ego. “Central Valley’s playing as well as anybody right now, but if we can rebound from this loss, we’ve got a shot.”
The Bulldogs will be right back on the court Thursday in a loser-out game against fifth-seeded Central Valley (13-9), with the winner meeting Kennewick or Southridge on February 21, with a trip to state on the line.
Tipoff for Hermiston and Central Valley is set for 6 p.m. in the Hermiston Gym on February 19.
