The rematch between the top-ranked Boomers of Toledo and the fourth ranked Knappa Loggers was the most attended event of the second day at the 2A OSAA Championships. Fans from Western Christian, Columbia Christian, Santiam, Oakland, and Union all showed up in addition to the regular fans to witness this clash of blue and gold.
The first quarter lived up to the hype, and then some. Both teams were hitting tough shots and playing intense defense. Toledo opened a quick lead; using Mason McAlpine to exploit the baseline of Knappa’s 1-3-1 zone. Knappa adjusted well, switching to their signature “tandem and three” scheme after a timeout. Toledo star Connor Marchant struggled to find a rhythm in the first quarter. After the first eight minutes, the Loggers held a 23-18 advantage.
The tide turned against Knappa in the second quarter. Eli Takalo found himself with three fouls early in the second, forcing him to take a seat. Toledo then put a defensive “spy” on Devin Hoover and Knappa went cold from the field.
Marchant found his shot, dropping 9 in the quarter. Camo Meithe played a tough defensive game on Marchant, forcing a couple of turnovers on the star guard.
Toledo was stingy on the defensive glass, only relinquishing 6 offensive boards to the Loggers. By halftime, the score was 41-30 in favor of the Boomers.
Backed against the wall to start the second half, the Loggers dug in defensively. They held Toledo to 16 points for the third quarter and to twelve points in the fourth, but the offensive struggles continued for the NW League Champions. Toledo adjusted well after the first quarter and made Knappa work for every point; holding Knappa to single digits each quarter after the first. The Loggers shot just 23% in the second half.
Knappa still fought on. A team effort held Toledo nearly 20 points below their season average. The final score was Toledo 69 to Knappa’s 46.
Knappa plays league rival Columbia Christian for 3rd place tomorrow at 2:15 PM. These teams split in the regular season and Columbia won the regular season NW League crown while Knappa won the tournament crown beating Mannahouse Christian. This game promises to be another ‘good old-fashioned hate’ showdown with bragging rights and third place at state on the line. This will be the third time these teams will clash this year.
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