By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  Willamette Valley Christian found a way in getting it done against a solid 2A squad in Central Linn Wednesday morning in the opening round of the Salem Academy Crusader Classic Green Bracket.  Coming down the stretch of their 52-48 victory over the Cobras, the Warriors found that clutch factor.

They hit a three to go ahead 50-48 with a 1:15 left, came off, and continued beyond the basket, by sound defense that gave the little 1A team from Brooks a chance in the contest to come out with their sixth win of the season.  Head Coach Aaron Hunter points the game as one of their most complete games of the season as Jake Higgins led Willamette Valley Christian squad with 20 points, outdueling Central Linn’s Bren Schneiter, who had a game-high 33 points.

“We stayed locked in like we were a combination lock to close out the game, close the locker.  We focused on the goal in finishing the game,” Jake Higgins said.  “Seeing that we were able to play to this level, I think it’s an awakening that we can compete and that we are not just a 1A school, that we can compete with 2A and possibly 3A Schools and we have more to come.”

The Warriors play 2A juggernaut Western Christian at 10:30am in the SA Main Gym with the Willamette Valley Christian squad looking for their first three-game winning stretch of the season.

“We just have to play our game and not get too mentally drowned by, ‘oh no, it’s Western Christian’.  They’re a good team and we’re a good team too and I think we can compete with them no matter if they’re 2A and we’re 1A.  I think we can compete with them,” Higgins said.