TURNER – The Jordan Valley boys will make the trip to Baker on Thursday as one of the final eight teams vying for a 1A state basketball championship.
The journey comes after a 65-44 home win over Trinity Lutheran last Wednesday followed by a 54-42 road upset win over Crosshill Christian Saturday.
The wins came off defense, according to Jordan Valley Coach Clint Fillmore.
“We played good defense in both games and took care of the ball on offense,” Fillmore said.
Against Trinity Lutheran, Kirk Eiguren picked up nine rebounds to go with 13 points and Zeke Quintero had six rebounds.
Chase Fillmore led all scorers with 24 points and was perfect from the 3-point arc, going 3-for-3.
On the road in Turner versus Crosshill Christian, the Mustangs jumped out to an early lead before the Eagles started a climb back into the game.
At the four-minute mark the sixth-seeded Eagles and 11th-seeded Mustangs were tied.
“The boys picked up their game and fought hard to take the win,” said Fillmore.
Quintero finished with eight rebounds with Eiguren and Wade Fillmore each recording six rebounds. Chase Easterday had five steals.
Jordan Valley now enters quarterfinal action in Baker, facing the Joseph Eagles at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Eagles upset third-seeded Damascus Christian, 55-43 in second round action on Saturday.
A Mustang win could set up a showdown with an old foe in the semifinals.
Following the Jordan Valley game, Prairie City takes on Sherman.
Jordan Valley posted a lone High Desert League loss this season, a 57-46 game to Prairie City. In the High Desert League tournament, the Mustangs again fell to the Panthers, 52-46. A win by both teams in quarterfinal play sets up another showdown between the league opponents, but this time in state tournament action.
The other side of the bracket has first seeded Pacific on the court against 9th seeded Hosanna Christian in the early game followed by 4th seeded Triad taking on the 5th seeded Nixyaaii squad.
Last year’s champions, Sherman and runner up, Powder Valley, are both out of this year’s play.
Jordan Valley has played at this level, upsetting Hosanna Christian, 80-68 in quarterfinal action last season. In the semifinals, the Mustangs fell in a close 54-52 game, settling for fifth place after a 48-44 loss to Perrydale in the battle for third place.
This year’s team hosts a mix of young and old as four players take the court with state experience and senior leadership. TJ Davis, Fillmore, Eiguren and Wade Stanford have all seen state action.
No juniors are on the Jordan Valley team with four sophomores having limted state tournament play. Two freshman will make the trip to Baker High School for the first time in state play.
Prairie City featues just one senior on the team and only three juniors with state tournament experience.
The OSAA Radio Network will carry the game with this link: osaa.org/radio-network/4701.