It doesn’t matter what school you go to... It only matters what you do when you get there! Some high profile local Christmas Holiday tournaments featured some smaller Oregon school. Including Les Schwab Invitational , “The Eight” , Summit Holiday tourney and more. Usually, when a smaller school participate in these high caliber events, it usually ends with smaller schools losing and often getting swept. This year was a complete 180! Teams from 2A, 3A and 4A walked into those high profile tournaments looked upon as underdogs but exited those tournament with RESPECT and some hardware! Below, I spotlighted a few teams that played extremely well over the break. The reason why I am spotlighting these teams because they not only represented there school well but also shined a light on all smaller schools in Oregon. Columbia Christian participated in the national #LSI23 tournament and finished 2-2 win loss record. The Knights loss to Gonzaga Prep (WA)/ #4 (6A)Grant and upset #9 (6A)Southridge and #2 (6A)Barlow. Super Sophomore Ben Gregg was named All Tourney and received offer from Cal Berkeley and Oregon. Everyone knew he would step up but his teammates came through when he needed them to seal the victories. Hats off to the entire Columbia Christian team for your success. #3 (3A)De La Salle participated in LSI “The Eight” and went toe to toe with bigger schools. They loss to Eastside Catholic (WA) (eventual champions) but defeated (6A)Westview and (6A)Sandy. George Sadi lead the tournament in scoring and was named All Tourney. The Knights did a great job of walking into the tourney as the unofficial “8th seed” and walked out with a 2-1 win loss record and consolation champions! Great job fellas! #2 (3A)Santiam Christian defeated #5 (5A)Crater HS to win Southern Oregon Subaru Christmas Classic. SC victory was more impressive because they was without star player Zach Baugher. Crater was lead by All American Nathan Bittle. This was a huge stamp of approval that some top smaller schools can often compete with schools in higher classification. Huge victory! #3(4A) Seaside defeated #3 (5A) Thurston to win the Summit Holiday Tournament Championship. The Gulls also defeated (6A) South Eugene and (6A) Bend on their way to the title. Seaside is no stranger to success but winning this tournament is on another level. Great way to close out 2018! See what happen when you give small schools a chance! I am not saying it would happen every year but we would never know if they don’t get the opportunity. Feel free to comment if I missed a team! Thanks!
