The Newberg Graphic Online

NHS boys defeat fourth-ranked Oregon City

6A basketball — Sixth-ranked Tigers earn a 65-53 victory Tuesday over Pioneers

• By: Frank Graham  
• Published: 12/24/2009 1:55:21 PM

   The Newberg High School boys basketball team continued to slay dragons Tuesday by defeating No. 4-ranked Oregon City 65-53.
   The Tigers, ranked sixth in the coaches poll, handled a difficult pre-conference schedule with success, playing five teams ranked in the top 10 of the state coaches poll. The Tigers defeated Beaverton, ranked eighth; Sunset; Central Catholic, tied for sixth with Newberg; McNary and Oregon City, ranked fourth. Their only losses were to No. 2-ranked Westview and No. 3-ranked Lincoln.
   Coach Mark Vernon said the win over the fourth-ranked Pioneers Tuesday was a quality victory that involved his entire team. He added he believes the difficult nonconference schedule will serve them well should the Tigers emerge from conference play with a spot in the Class 6A playoffs.
   That’s the Tigers’ goal. They made the playoffs last year for the first time since 1999.
   “It was a great team effort that beat the No. 4 school in the state,” Vernon said. “All of our scorers were in double figures.”
   The Tigers, 5-2, trailed 18-16 at the end of the first quarter. But the team caught fire in the second and outscored the Pioneers 19-6. Jordan Howell scored eight consecutive points that sparked a 15-0 Tigers run.
   The Tigers made six three-pointers in the first half and led 35-24 at the half.
   The teams played evenly during the third quarter with both scoring 14 points. The Tigers outscored the Pioneers 16-15 in the fourth, assuring the victory. Newberg went 16 of 18 from the foul line as well.
Brock Lutes, a 6-3 junior wing, led the team scoring 19 points. A.J. Grant, who was in foul trouble much of the game, scored 17; Brett Vernon earned 15 points. Howell had 10 points and Cody Hunter-Brown four.
   The Tigers next host McKay on Jan. 5.

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