Lions roar back to beat Parkrose

Spencer Gordon and Zach Sweeney close out game with crucial shots

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Jan 26, 2010

CRITICAL SHOT—St. Helens’ Zach Sweeney scored 33 points and had some big shots at the end in the Lions win over Parkrose on Friday night.

John Brewington / The Spotlight

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The St. Helens Lions roared back from an eight-point halftime deficit to overtake Parkrose and post an 81-74 Northwest Oregon Conference victory.

The win was the first for the Lions in league play this season.

“I’m really happy for the boys,” Coach Todd Smith said. “We didn’t start the game well. We had 14 first half turnovers. We were able to cut that to six in the second half, get better looks at shots, and played intelligently.”

The Lions would put three players in double figures in the contest. Zach Sweeney led all scorers with 33 points. Andrew Paulson added 19 and Spencer Gordon 16.

The Lions cut the Parkrose lead in the third, and then tied up the contest early in the fourth. When Sweeney completed a three-point play and Gordon added a two, the Lions were up 60-57. Parkrose had an answer at the free-throw line. A technical against St. Helens didn’t help either. The Broncos made five of eight free throws, then added a deuce for a 64-60 lead.

St. Helens would scramble back. A three-point play from Paulson pulled them within one, then Neiko Jones hit a big three to tie up the contest at 71-all with three minutes to play.

Sweeney followed with two free throws, but Parkrose hit another trey and had a 74-73 lead with less than a minute to play. Gordon came right back with a three and the Lions were on top for good. Two free throws by Gordon, and three by Sweeney helped seal the win. Parkrose had some misses and a critical turnover in the last minute.

In their Tuesday game at Hilhi, the Lions fell behind early, but managed to stay within range most of the next two quarters. The Spartans’ Joseph Jackson pumped in 22 points for Hillsboro and Tyler Fernstrom had 19. Zach Sweeney had 16 for St. Helens and Spencer Gordon 15.

The Lions were down 24-17 after one, and still trailed by seven at the break, 33-26. They narrowed the lead to just five going into the fourth, but Hillsboro was able to hold off the Lions in the end.

The league took off the early game this week for testing. St. Helens hosts Liberty this Friday. Liberty is using the Grinnell College (Iowa) system. They platoon players, press most of the game, and shoot quickly. “It can lead to some very high scoring games,” Smith said.

This figures to be a stiff test for the Lions, who have struggled with turnovers at times this season.

The Lions host Century next Tuesday and travel to Wilsonville on Friday, Feb. 5.

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