Posted Wednesday March 17, 2010

- The Hermiston Bulldogs defeated the Willamette Wolverines 59-52 on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at the OSAA 5A state basketball tournament. Top scorer in the game overall was Alyssa Worthen of Willamette with 18. Other Wolverine scorers included Kelsea JOsh and Brittany Glassow each with 9, and Shoniece Robertson with 6. Hermiston had Courtney Walchli and Maloree Moss each scoring 16 and Andrea Waters and Kathryn Barnitz each scoring 8. Andrea Waters hit two of her four three point attempts and Moss hit one of three.

The Willamette Wolverines came out strong in the opening minutes of the first period. The Wolverines led by seven, 10-3 around the three minute mark of the first. Courtney Walchli scored first giving Hermiston the 2-0 lead. Alyssa Worthen scored the first seven points for Willamette. Also scoring for Hermiston in the first were Kathryn Barnitz and Kayla Blankenship. Willamette led at the end of the first 14-9.

Hermiston outscored Willamette 16-13 in the second period. Scoring for the Bulldogs were Crystal Schmidt, Moss and Walchli. The Wolverines only scored two points in the first four minutes of the second. During the same time Hermiston hit six points and were starting to roll. Moss and Walchli took control of the scoring for the Dawgs in the four minutes leading to halftime. Willamette held on to the lead, 27-25 at halftime.

Hermiston's momentum continued in the third as they outscored Willamette 14-9. Dawgs scoring in the third included Barnitz, Walchli, Moss, Blankenship, Waters and Barnett. Hermiston led at the end of the third 39-36.

Hermiston again outscored Willamette in the fourth 20-16. Hermiston continued to control the tempo of the game and were consistant with their shooting. Dawgs scoring in the fourth were Jeni Hoffert, Walchli, Waters, Moss and Barnitz. Moss sealed the win with two free throws with 15 seconds to play. Hermiston won 59-52.

Photos by Terry Aichele