News Summary

The Westview Wildcats secured their place in the semifinals of the 6A state tournament by defeating the Tualatin Timberwolves 66-56. This marks the Wildcats’ first semifinals appearance since 2017. The match highlighted key performances from players like James Kefgen, who scored 21 points, while Tualatin’s Jemai Lake led his team with 25 points. Westview will face Jesuit in the next round, continuing their quest for the championship.

Westview Wildcats Spring into the Semifinals with Win Over Tualatin

In a thrilling quarterfinal matchup of the Oregon (OSAA) high school boys basketball 6A state tournament, the seventh-seeded Westview Wildcats triumphed over the second-seeded Tualatin Timberwolves with a final score of 66-56. This exciting game took place at the Chiles Center at the University of Portland on Thursday night at 8:15 p.m., and it certainly didn’t disappoint basketball fans.

With the victory, Westview clinched their first trip to the semifinals since 2017 and will now face Jesuit in what promises to be another thrilling showdown on Friday. The Wildcats put on a great performance, showcasing their teamwork and determination throughout the game.

Star Performances Shine Bright

Leading the charge for the Wildcats was James Kefgen, who lit up the scoreboards with 21 points and secured seven rebounds. His impressive performance played a crucial role in propelling Westview to victory. Kai Russell also contributed significantly, adding 17 points to the Wildcats’ total, while Jason Grady chipped in with 13 points. Such a balanced scoring effort certainly gave Westview the edge they needed to outpace their opponents.

On the opposing side, Tualatin’s star guard Jemai Lake, a first-team all-Three Rivers League player, made waves by scoring 25 points in the contest. This game was particularly notable for Lake, as he recently celebrated surpassing the 1,000 career points mark during Tualatin’s Round of 16 win over South Salem. His impressive skills were evident throughout the match, but unfortunately for the Timberwolves, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

Other noteworthy contributors for Tualatin included Pat Vialva Jr. with 12 points, and Javier Diaz, who not only scored nine points but also grabbed ten rebounds, proving to be a force on the boards.

A Nail-Biter Full of Excitement

The game kicked off with Peyton Read of Westview making an early steal that set the stage for Grady’s 3-pointer. Initially, the Timberwolves led 4-3 after some quick buckets by Diaz and Lake. However, the Wildcats quickly found their rhythm and surged ahead, finishing the first quarter leading 17-10. Russell notably scored eight points in that period, showcasing his significant role in the game.

The second quarter saw Westview widen their gap to 20-10 following another successful 3-pointer from Russell. Although Tualatin made a spirited effort, scoring six unanswered points to bring the score to 20-16, the Wildcats effectively maintained their lead. By halftime, Westview was comfortably ahead at 28-21.

As the third quarter unfolded, Tualatin’s tenacity came to the fore as they clawed their way back into contention, narrowing the score to just 29-28. A key 3-pointer from Diaz ignited hope for the Timberwolves, but Westview was quick to respond with a series of effective 3-pointers themselves, specifically from Kefgen, pushing their lead up to 39-31 by the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Russell scored another basket that extended Westview’s lead to 45-38. Despite Tualatin’s determined efforts to rally back and close the gap, they fell short of overcoming the Wildcats’ advantage. The final buzzer rang out with the score resting at Westview 66, Tualatin 56, sealing the Wildcats’ victory and a joyous moment for their fans.

The Road Ahead

This win not only instills confidence among the Wildcats, but it also allows them to focus on their upcoming semifinal clash against Jesuit. After this thrilling night of basketball, the Westview Wildcats have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with, and it will be exciting to see how far they can go in the state tournament.

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