Willamette 63, Thurston 59: Five Takeaways
Super sophomore Luke Smith led the way for the Willamette Wolverines as they trounced league foe Thurston 63-59 on Tuesday, as he knocked down 6-of-6 free throws in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The matchup featured two…
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Continue ReadingSuper sophomore Luke Smith led the way for the Willamette Wolverines as they trounced league foe Thurston 63-59 on Tuesday, as he knocked down 6-of-6 free throws in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. The matchup featured two teams ranked in the 5A top ten, and it was ultimately Willamette’s supporting cast that gave them the edge over the talented Colts, who fell to fourth in the Midwestern League race despite eye-catching performances from Isaac Lange and Mason Miller.
Jacob Curtis poured in three three-pointers on his way to a team high 17 points. Additionally, the big man made his presence felt defensively, snatching 10 rebounds to go alongside two blocks.
Thurston led 26-25 at the half behind some nifty scoring from Lange, who opened the game shooting the ball well from mid-range. As Willamette seized the lead in the second half, Lange continued to keep Thurston in the game by sinking jumpers and finding Mason Miller inside, who earned secondary scoring honors for the Colts with 16 points. The skilled post also grabbed nine rebounds, one of which resulted in a critical putback miss that arguably put the game out of reach for the visiting Colts, who still sit at #6 in the OSAA state rankings.
Here’s our five takeaways from Tuesday:
Luke Smith Knocks Down His Free Throws
Smith scored 16 points, eight of which came from the charity stripe. The sophomore guard didn’t miss from the line all night, repeatedly converting critical one-and-one opportunities down the stretch. Smith showed great composure with the basketball and came up big in the fourth quarter for the Wolverines.
The Midwestern League is the Class of 5A
4 teams in the Midwestern League currently sit in the top seven of the 5A State rankings, including Churchill (#1), Crater (#3), Thurston (#6), and Willamette (#7). The talent level of the conference was on full display on Tuesday, as two of the league’s powerhouses met in a high-octane matchup that featured some impressive impact performances. If you want to watch quality 5A basketball, The Midwestern League is unarguably the place to be.
Isaac Lange and Mason Miller Are a Lethal Duo
Simply put, Lange and Miller combined for 40 of Thurston’s 59 points. The pick-and-roll tandem exuded some terrific chemistry and seemed to respond with a basket whenever the Colts fell on hard times offensively. Lange finished with 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists while Miller tallied 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist. Both players shot the ball efficiently throughout the game, and Lange finished 4-of-6 from three-point range.
Willamette’s Role Players Make a Difference
Willamette’s less notable starters and bench unit stepped up in a big way on Tuesday, outplaying Thurston’s secondary options throughout the game. Aside from Smith, who hasn’t been known for his scoring ability this season, Jondre Smith, Tyler Culver, and Alex Puckett also stepped up in a big way for the Wolverines, playing with an intensity that the Colt’s couldn’t match. Jondre Smith scored 10 points off the bench, Culver added eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Puckett pitched in seven points, three rebounds, and a steal.
Jacob Curtis Can Be a Threat Anywhere on the Floor
The 6-foot-4 senior scored his 16 points both inside and out, showing his versatility as a stretch option. Curtis had his average night in the post, picking up 10 rebounds and scoring a fair share of points in the paint. However, the junior also showed some impressive confidence as he sunk three straight three-pointers after starting the game 0-for-3. If Curtis can continue to shoot this well from beyond the arc, the Wolverines offense could be dangerous.