By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

TIGARD, Ore.–  It wasn’t the start that they were hoping for the third-place game at the Westside Winter Jam Saturday night, but Jefferson certainly finished it off strongly.  Exiting their first tournament of the season sitting 2-1 on the year following their 55-38 win over Columbia Christian.

But the final result was a far cry with how the game started as the Lions found themselves in a 10-2 deficit that Jefferson slowly pulled themselves out of.  Jefferson cut the deficit to three, 10-7, by quarter’s end.

By halftime the Lions led 27-22 behind their 25-12 advantage as they rode the momentum into the second half.

“We realized that we were the better team even though we started slow, we had no energy.  But once we figured out who we were, we started to play as a team,” said Jace Aguilar.  “Everything started to come together…the defense, the offense, the fastbreak.  Everything was coming together.”

Aguilar had a team-high 21 points.  Diego Aguilar (14) and Zach Wusstig (13) each had double-figures in the victory as Jefferson finished the game on a 53-28 advantage.

“We lost to a tough team (Friday versus Westside Christian), they’re a Top 3 team.  This proves that we’re here to stay, we’re here to compete and we’re going to compete with anyone,” Aguillar said.

Jefferson will be at Williamina Tuesday and Waldport Thursday before hosting Santiam Saturday for their first home game of the season.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald