By Jeremy McDonald
jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Their Oregon Madness opener against South Medford seemed so long ago.
That 96-26 defeat to the Panthers Monday seemed to serve as motivation for the past two days as North Salem fought through the consolation bracket to get to the Championship bout Thursday against St. Paul.
Turning the corner for the win against Canby before setting the tone in the opening half against Roseburg Wednesday in their 66-43. Pulling away in the second half behind strong defense and turning into offense on the other end.
Damian Tapia and Dominick Hughs led the charge offensively with 28 points and 23 points respectively as they brought up some of the Junior Varsity guys up to play in this Summer League Tournament.
For Tapia, he’s trying to help leave a positive mark as Tapia enters his Senior season.
“It was fun. I’m just getting the young guys a feeling of what real basketball is and how better other schools are. This is a good opportunity for North Salem to change the culture, the last four years we’ve been struggling as a program but since my freshman year,” starts Tapia. “I’ve been trying to be a positive (player) and work as hard as I could and bring that atmosphere to North Salem High School.”
That drive by the unit as a whole helped them to get on track as the Vikings will look to close out the Madness, carrying the momentum from their wins against the Cougars and the Indians against a Buckaroo squad that pulled the upset against West Salem, 82-80, in overtime in the game prior to theirs.
Tip-Off is slated at 4pm with the Oregon Madness Championship scheduled for 7pm at The Pac.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
