Class 3A Elite 8 Preview & Predictions

<p>The class 3A state tournament kicks off Thursday afternoon with quarterfinal play and we've got you covered with key match ups, players to watch, &amp; predictions.</p> <p><strong>Delasalle (22-4) vs Sutherlin (21-5)</strong></p> <p>The Knights, the defending state champions enter the quarterfinals on a roll after a convincing blow out win over Brookings.  The Bulldogs make the state tournament in their first year at class 3A and had a somewhat easy victory over a physical Umatilla team in the round of 16.  Delasalle features a relentless pressure defensive system that regularly rotates up to ten players.  Leading the way is senior wing <strong>Kadeem Nelson</strong>, a 6'3 sharp shooter who was MVP of the Lewis &amp; Clark League.  Sutherlin is lead by junior wing <strong>Mason Gill</strong>, a versatile athlete who impacts the game in a variety of ways.</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction:  </strong></em>Sutherlin is well coached &amp; thriving in the OSAA class realignment, but hasn't faced anyone with the depth or quickness that Delasalle will present.  We expect the Knights to pull away in the second half for a comfortable double digit victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Nyssa (18-8) vs Pleasant Hill (21-5)</strong></p> <p>Nyssa advances to the final 8 after holding on a late Rainier rally to take on the Billies from outside of Eugene who had arguably the best win of the playoffs in beating a talented &amp; healthy Catlin Gabel team.  Pleasant Hill is lead by the senior duo of 6'5 forward <strong>Logan Pruitt</strong> &amp; 6'0 guard <strong>Stephen Parmenter.</strong>  Pruitt is an athletic inside/outside player while Parmenter is one of the best shooters in the state.  The Bulldogs are lead by head coach Aaron Mills who has state tournament experience after spending most of the 2000s leading Lagrande's program to regular state tourney appearances.</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction: </strong></em>The 4/5 match up on paper is usually the closest of the first round &amp; we see nothing here to suggest a break from the norm.  We look for Pleasant Hill's senior leadership to be the difference as they win a game that should go to the final minutes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dayton (22-5) vs Clatskanie (15-7)</strong></p> <p>The Pirates make their seemingly annual trip to Coos Bay after defeating Creswell.  Clatskanie made school history by advancing to the final 8 for the first time in 35 years with a magical comeback from a16 point second half deficit to beat Burns in the last ten seconds.  Leading the way for Dayton is the senior trio of <strong>Lukas Findley</strong>, <strong>Jaysen Howard</strong>, &amp; <strong>Braeden Nowlin</strong>, all with ample big game experience.  The Tigers, winners of the Coastal Range League feature a balanced attack with any one of six players capable of leading them on a given night.  Senior wing <strong>Cooper Blodgett</strong> the league MVP is the most experienced player, while <strong>Andre Combs</strong> a frosh point guard averaging in double figures is the most talented player on the roster.</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction: </strong></em> Clatskanie needed a comeback of the ages to advance to this stage, while Dayton took care of business early to advance.  The Tigers are talented and play as hard as anyone, but the depth &amp; state tournament experience of the Pirates should help them pull away for the victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Amity (17-8) vs Santiam Christian (23-3)</strong></em></p> <p>The Warriors were the only road team to advance to the final eight as they defeated Horizon Christian to move on.  Santiam Christian defeated a talented Salem Academy team to get back to Coos Bay.  The Warriors are as hot as anyone and feature sophomore post <strong>Josh Wart</strong>, a talented 6'5 forward who is among the best players in his class.  Santiam Christian might be the biggest team at any level featuring 6'9 junior big man <strong>Koby Williamson</strong> &amp; 6'8 sophomore post <strong>Joe MaQuatish</strong>, both transfers from Lebanon.  Add to the mix 6'5 <strong>Josh Baugher</strong>, a talented 2021 guard and the Eagles are as talented as team in the final group.</p> <p><em><strong>Prediction:  </strong></em>Santiam Christian has the front court depth to throw a lot of bodies at Wart and should be able to effectively contain him.  Look for Baugher to make enough plays from the perimeter to lead the Eagles to a close victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>