Sherman defeats Dufur in semifinal

Up 40-39 midway through the fourth quarter, Sherman's Kyle Fields extended the lead with a layup and a minute later, Jacob Justesen tacked on another hoop to move the Huskies in front, 44-39 with three minutes and 19 seconds left in the game.

Kaseberg and Dufur senior Caleb Morris traded field goals on consecutive possessions, but the Rangers went dry from the floor, but Kaseberg stayed hot, as the senior forward dropped a 3-pointer, coasted for a layup on a Ranger turnover and then hit a pair of free throws with 1.7 seconds left.

"Quite frankly, Austin Kaseberg made some fantastic plays during that fourth quarter," said Sherman coach Bill Blevins. "He kind of put us on his back. He did yeoman's work on both ends of the court and it was great to see the way we finished that game."

Both teams played to a 15-all standstill in the first quarter, and Dufur inched ahead with a 11-8 rally to lead 26-23 at the break.

The Huskies then answered the bell to start the third quarter and finished on a 13-9 run to take a 36-35 lead entering the final frame.

Isaiah Coles rapped out 14 points, Kyle Fields had 11 and Justesen had five for the Huskies, who hit on 23 field goals and went 9 for 11 from the line.

Jake Kortge scored a team-high 14 points for the Rangers, Morris had 11 and Bailey Keever seven points.

Dufur made 21 field goals, one from long distance and hit 3 of 4 from the line.

Dufur had a chance to lock up the last state berth Saturday in a game against South Wasco County.