Churchill 69, Crater 65 (OT): Top Performers

In a back-and-forth battle between Midwestern League powers, Churchill defeated Crater in overtime 69-65 to claim sole possession of the conference lead on Tuesday. The Lancers, now sitting at 6-0 in MWL play, had to battle from behind late in the fourth quarter to force overtime and eventually fend off the talented Comets, who will look to win the season series in Central Point next month. After a Nate Bittle basket with less than two minutes to go in the fourth, Churchill trailed 53-51 and desperately needed a bucket. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kaelan-oneil/">Kaelan O’Neil</a> answered the call when <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/silas-bennion/">Silas Bennion</a> found him rolling to the basket with a perfect bounce pass inside. O’Neil then completed a difficult finish around <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kruger-edwards/">Kruger Edwards</a>, knotting the game at 53 and pulling the momentum back in favor of Churchill. After <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jayden-vranes/">Jayden Vranes</a> reclaimed the lead for the Comets, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/samaje-morgan/">Samaje Morgan</a> attempted to even things up yet again with what seemed to be an open layup. Then, in a sequence that beat all odds, Edwards flew in for a block, Vranes rebounded, fell to the floor, and threw the ball into the air as he collapsed. The ball landed in the hands of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brian-goracke/">Brian Goracke</a>, whose right-handed finish tied the game at 55 and forced overtime. From there, Bennion and the Lancers shot themselves to their first victory over the Comets of the season. Here’s our top performers from Tuesday: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-wallace/">Isaiah Wallace</a> (2020 Churchill) - Stats: 15 pts, 2 stl Wallace hit three momentous three-pointers for the Lancers, including a dagger from the corner on the first play of overtime. In addition, the senior shot the ball well from the charity stripe down the stretch to hold the visiting Comets at bay. At 6-foot-1, Wallace is without a doubt one of Churchill’s most dynamic playmakers. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/silas-bennion/">Silas Bennion</a> (2020 Churchill) - Stats: 12 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast In addition to being a terrific rebounding guard, Bennion knocked down a cold-blooded overtime three to stretch the Lancer lead to four and put things out of reach for the Comets. The Lewis and Clark State commit plays tough and has terrific tools on both ends, making him one of the best guards in the state of Oregon. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brian-goracke/">Brian Goracke</a> (2020 Churchill) - Stats: 11 pts, 4 reb, 1 blk Yet another senior making plays for the Lancers was the 6-foot-5 Goracke, who secured the game-tying steal and finish at the end of regulation. Goracke has a gorgeous stroke from beyond the arc and exciting athleticism, making him one of the most dangerous offensive players 5A. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/samaje-morgan/">Samaje Morgan</a> (2022 Churchill) - Stats: 9 pts, 4 ast, 6 stl On Tuesday, Morgan collected six steals, the most notable of which was followed up by a long assist to <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/silas-bennion/">Silas Bennion</a> that tied the game at 51. Above all else, the super sophomore’s intensity makes him a difference-maker on both ends. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kruger-edwards/">Kruger Edwards</a> (2020 Crater) - Stats: 20 pts, 6 reb, 2 blk Of the Comets’ two talented frontcourt pieces, it was Edwards who impressed the most on Tuesday, using his strength and athleticism to attack the basket all night long. In a break of tradition, Edwards also stepped back and nailed a few three-pointers, giving the Comets a much-needed offensive boost while Bittle struggled. Additionally, the 6-foot-6 Edwards’ freakish fourth-quarter block on Morgan would have been a clear play of the game had Vranes not turned the ball over afterward. Nate Bittle (2021 Crater) - Stats: 20 pts, 6 reb, 3 blk Flustered by Churchill’s swarming defense for much of the game, the Comets’ five-star prospect finally came alive in the fourth quarter and overtime, scoring a series of baskets to take charge down the stretch. The 6-foot-11 big man has a downright unfair skill set, with guard-like handles and shooting. As the current unicorn of Oregon high school basketball, Bittle continues to dominate. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hunter-chubb/">Hunter Chubb</a> (2021 Crater) - Stats: 15 pts, 4 reb Chubb buried a game-high five three-pointers on Tuesday, proving his standalone value as a lights-out shooter. Furthermore, the junior guard has a long frame at 6-foot-2, making him a difference maker on the defensive end as well. A combination of these traits make Chubb an integral piece of the Comets’ scheme moving forward, especially as a floor-spacer. Photo: Chris Pietsch/Register Guard