By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

KEIZER, Ore.–  The McNary defense has been spot on this year as they relied on their press and trap front to aid them in their third win of the young season, defeating former conference opposition in Bend Tuesday night 48-18.

Coming off of their first defeat of the year this past Friday on the road down in Thurston, the Celtics were looking to get back into the win column as they jumped out to a 17-4 first quarter lead and led 31-9 by the halftime break.

“It really helped us to know that we need more help down low and we need to help more on defense,” Ava Rubio described the loss to the Colts.  “(Defense) is a big part of our practice is just defense.  It’s our motto and that’s just our game basically.  We did great with our defense and our steals tonight.”

Rubio led McNary with 12 points in the victory.  KJ Custer (eight), Avery Buss (seven) and Haley Schnimof (six) were significant scorers in the game for the Celts, who forced the running clock by the start of the fourth quarter leading 44-12 as the squad now focuses on the Lake Oswego Tournament this weekend.

“I feel like it’s going to be really good for us.  I feel like we really need a weekend for team bonding too and get good team chemistry together,” Rubio said of the upcoming Tournament.

McNary opens the tournament Saturday with St. Mary’s Academy.  Bend was led by Peyton Smith’s eight points as the Lava Bears head to Pendleton Friday before taking part in the Corvallis Tournament on December 27.

Photos by Jeremy McDonald