The West Linn Lions defeated the Jesuit Crusaders 68-57 for the OSAA 6A boys state basketball championship, March 14, 2015. Michael Lloyd/Staff
Michael Lloyd | The Oregonian/OregonLive
By Nick Daschel | For The Oregonian/OregonLive
on March 14, 2015 6:38 PM, updated March 14, 2015 10:57 PM
Five years ago, West Linn boys basketball was a feel good story, a team with a losing record that somehow earned its way into the Class 6A state tournament.
There was no indication in 2011 that West Linn was on the verge of history. But that group of overachievers lit a spark in the program, and Saturday the Lions reached the pinnacle, winning their third consecutive state championship with a 68-57 win over Jesuit in Chiles Center.
West Linn (25-4) becomes the second team in Oregon's big-school classification to win at least three consecutive state titles, joining Jesuit, which won four straight from 2009-12.
Junior guard Payton Pritchard all but cemented his second consecutive 6A player of the year award with a performance worthy of the honor. Pritchard scored 29 points, hit 15 of 17 free throws and grabbed seven rebounds.
Last year's seniors, a group Lions coach Eric Viuhkola calls West Linn's best-ever senior class, were freshmen when the 2011 team overcame what was once a 9-14 record to qualify for state.
The next year, Mathis joined the program. The following year, Pritchard. But it started in 2011.
"No doubt about it," Viuhkola said. "We got hot at the right time. I really attribute a lot of that to where we are right now."
Lions' senior guard Anthony Mathis, an eighth-grader when the 2011 team made its tourney run, ended his career with four state tournament appearances and three championships. Even though Mathis didn't have one of his best games, missing his first nine shots though ending up with 14 points, he couldn't have cared less. The moment felt right to do something Mathis says he's wanted to do since West Linn won its first title in 2013.
After the horn sounded, Mathis led several teammates from the floor to the student section in the upper end zone. Mathis dove into the waiting arms of the celebrating students, letting go like only an 18-year-old can.
"I wanted to do that the first year we won state, but they told me, nah, don't do that. But this is my senior year. They're not telling me now," Mathis said.
West Linn's third championship was different than the first two. The first was well, the first. Last year the Lions were expected to do great things with a powerful senior class, Pritchard and Mathis. But this year, the roster, while including greats like Pritchard and Mathis, was largely newcomers, many who played junior varsity a year ago.
West Linn was dominant throughout the season, losing only once to a team in Oregon (Lakeridge, 57-56). The Lions cruised through the state tournament, romping to the finals where they found Jesuit game but not its equal.
"This year felt like a relief," Viuhkola said. "Next year, I'm going to promise myself to have more fun."
West Linn and Pritchard set an early tone. Pritchard drove to the basket on two of the Lions' first three possessions, giving the Lions a quick 6-0 lead. It was soon 17-4, with Pritchard bagging eight points.
Pritchard was determined to get to the basket, something he says was by design.
"I thought their weakness was if I went at them really hard, they couldn't stay in front of me," Pritchard said.
Jesuit had its moments, but a terrible finish to the first half -- where West Linn scored five points during the final four seconds -- allowed the Lions to post a 37-25 halftime lead.
The Crusaders made a run at West Linn in the third quarter, as Malcolm Porter scored 12 points to cut the deficit to 47-40. It continued to get interesting early in the fourth quarter, when Reid Bucy's layup trimmed West Linn's lead to 49-45.
But Pritchard took over, scoring six points during a 10-2 run that increased the Lions' lead to double digits. West Linn was never threatened again.
Next up for West Linn is a chance to win its fourth consecutive state title and join Jesuit in that category. Mathis, who moves from player to fan after this season, says the program's talented-stocked roster might do more.
"I think four and five are possible," Mathis said. "I'm holding them to high standards."
