Jesuit 46, Beaverton 44 (2OT): 10 Best

<p>It may not have been the prettiest offensively but Jesuit's 46-44 double-overtime win over Beaverton on Wednesday night may have been the most exciting contest so far in the Metro League.</p> <p>In a game where both teams were very deliberate about moving the ball on every possession, there were open shots but both teams failed to take advantage for most of the game (Jesuit ended up shooting .368 for the game, Beaverton .400). But when buckets were needed, the players delivered. Trailing by seven in the forth, the Crusaders rolled off a 7-0 run to tie the game and eventually force overtime.</p> <p>The first overtime saw both teams step things up on the offensive end as both teams started to make buckets with Lang and Beaverton's <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-oleson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-oleson/">John Oleson</a></a> knocking down big-time threes. Lang stepped up and hit two free throws with five seconds to give Jesuit the lead for good with five seconds to go and after a timeout, Oleson's full-court drive and heave from about 25 feet fell short.</p> <p><strong>MVP: James Lang (2021 Jesuit)</strong></p> <p>Lang led the Crusaders with a team-high 18 points, hitting four threes - including two very critical ones in the first overtime that really helped give Jesuit some momentum. He knocked down the two clutch free throws at the end of the second overtime and overall was the main guy who could create and make a shot for the Crusaders.</p> <p><strong>Play of the game: Lang to Ruttledge for the And-One</strong></p> <p>The second overtime started off slow as Jesuit held the ball near midcourt waiting for Beaverton to come out of their zone defense. Finally after almost 2 minutes off the clock the Beavers did and Lang fired a pass down to a cutting <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/liam-ruttledge/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/liam-ruttledge/">Liam Ruttledge</a></a> at the basket who put in the layup while getting fouled. The three-point play gave the Crusaders the momentum they needed in the final extra period of play.</p> <p><strong>Best offensive performance: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-oleson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-oleson/">John Oleson</a></a> (2020 Beaverton)</strong></p> <p>It obviously wasn't a game full of offense but Oleson provided a game-high 20 points. He scored on all three levels, effectively using his body to score over smaller defenders down low but also stepping out and knocking down some jump shots - including the two huge threes in the first overtime to keep the Beavers in the ballgame.</p> <p><strong>Best defensive performance - <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matthew-levis/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matthew-levis/">Matthew Levis</a></a> (2020 Jesuit)</strong></p> <p>Especially in the second half, Levis was really key with his pressure on the ball, particularly on Oleson. The 6-foot senior was relentless and it helped lead to some key turnovers.</p> <p><strong>Best guy off the bench - Tyler Baltus (2020 Beaverton)</strong></p> <p>Beaverton didn't go to their reserves much - Erikstrup and Oleson never left the game - but when Baltus came in he filled in capably. The 6-foot-4 senior didn't score but grabbed a couple of boards and found the open man, dishing out four assists.</p> <p><strong>Best intangibles - <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/roy-bunn/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/roy-bunn/">Roy Bunn</a></a> (2021 Jesuit)</strong></p> <p>Bunn may have only scored six points on the statsheet, but he hit a huge bucket at the end of regulation to tie the game and also some key free throws in the first overtime. The 5-foot-9 junior certainly showed a knack for delivering in the clutch and finished with four assists on the night.</p> <p><strong>Best under-the-radar performance - Charlie Pickard (2020 Jesuit)</strong></p> <p>He may not have scored a point but Pickard made a difference on the defensive end. Using his strong frame, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound junior was able to put a body on Erikstrup in the paint and make things as difficult as possible when he was in the game.</p> <p><strong>Best underclassman: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dane-erikstrup/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dane-erikstrup/">Dane Erikstrup</a></a> (2021 Beaverton)</strong></p> <p>It wasn't his best shooting performance (9-for-22) but Erikstrup still ended up with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds while blocking a couple of shots. What was extremely clear was the fact that the 6-foot-9 junior was the focus on both ends for both Beaverton and Jesuit, the Beavers on the offensive side getting him the ball and the Crusaders honed in trying to stop him in the post.</p> <p><strong>Best coaching adjustment: Jesuit's switch to the man-to-man</strong></p> <p>After playing zone in the first half, the Crusaders switched to man in the second which seemed to disrupt the Beavers flow. This helped Jesuit create some turnovers and get back into the game and force the extra minutes of play. Head coach Gene Potter is the</p> <p><strong>Best aspect of the environment: The aura of the gym</strong></p> <p>It's always a treat to watch a game at the Knight Center as there's just a certain hallowedness you feel sitting underneath all of the banners celebrating Jesuit's athletic accomplishments in all sports. The gym may not have been packed but it was lively and both student sections had good energy.  Coaches from Portland State and Linfield were in attendance taking in the action.</p>