Sherman zapped by Country

The Cougars (27-1) from Molalla were led by a 19-point, 12-rebound performance from versatile senior Ben Grandle enroute to a 50-40 win in Wednesday’s final quarterfinal contest.

Grandle’s 3-pointer from the left wing with 3:19 to play thwarted a valiant Sherman comeback and gave Country a 46-40 lead.

Sherman (21-6) had pulled within 43-40 on a basket by Isiah Coles, who scored six of his 10 points in the final period.

The sophomore’s basket was the final one for the Huskies, who failed to take advantage of consecutive Country turnovers in a 10-second span a minute later.

Sherman, which plays in Thursday’s 10:45 a.m. consolation semifinals against Yoncalla (24-4), had trailed by as many as 14 points in the third period.

The Huskies, many who have been battling a strength-zapping virus this week, mounted a charge behind Coles and sharp-shooting Max Martin.

In addition to hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to start the third quarter, Martin also had an important contribution during a second-half timeout when he chastised his teammates for not hustling back on defense.

Country, which advanced to play Siletz Valley (22-4) in Friday’s 8:15 p.m. championship semifinal, took advantage of Sherman's secondary transition woes throughout the contest - as might be expected of an experienced team.

“The boys did their best, but we just did not have the energy to do what it takes to beat a team like Country Christian,” Blevins said.

The Cougars led 12-7 after one quarter and 21-11 at halftime.

Luke Carter, a 6-foot-6 senior post, scored all eight of his points in the first half, including a breakaway dunk midway through the second period.

Sherman had entered the tourney as the second-ranked team from the Big Sky Conference and eighth-ranked overall.

The Huskies raced to 19 regular-season wins before dispatching two Valley 10 teams – Life Christian and Damascus Christian – in the state playoffs.

But Country presented the Huskies with matchup problems with its length inside and quick, strong perimeter players.

Sherman was able to equalize things by being more aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and hitting the offensive glass.

Austin Kaseberg, who led the Huskies with 14 points, muscled for an offensive rebound and scored on a short put-back to close the third period with Sherman trailing, 39-29.

Sherman’s more aggressive play resulted in six fourth-quarter turnovers by Country and the Huskies took full advantage.

A Kaseberg steal led to a Coles basket, cutting the deficit to 41-35 with 6:55 to play.

Kaseberg scored with 5:08 remaining to pull his team within five at 43-38.

Coles’ basket made it a one possession game at 43-40 before Grandle’s 3-point dagger.

“The boys tried their best and I’m proud of the effort they gave,” Blevins said.

Sherman, which last played in the state tournament at Baker City in 2012, also received 11 points from Martin.

The Huskies shot 3 for 20 (15 percent) from the field in the first half, but warmed up considerably after the break with a 12-for-21 effort.

“We had a difficult time executing the offense tonight and only had two fast break points,” Blevins said.