In a rematch of last year’s 4/5 seed quarterfinal, the Knappa Loggers downed the Oakers from Oakland. Devin Hoover lead the Loggers scoring with 23; with Kanai Philip and Eli Takalo chipping in 12 and 16 respectively. Noah Strempel lead the Oakers with 18 points; Tristan Mask and Colton Brownson added 13 and 16. The Loggers found themselves in foul trouble the whole game and Cameron Meithe and Logan Morrill contributing valuable minutes. With 1:55 to play, Mask brought the Oakers within 9 points of Knappa, but an effective press break and free throw shooting secured the win for Knappa. Knappa finished the game on a 9-2 run capped off with a dunk by Hoover with :23 left.
Take Aways
Knappa showed how deep they can go when they need to by playing 8 players by the second quarter. The whole game a different player would carry them forward. Hoover was their main scorer, but Kanai Philip took over when he needed, Takalo gave Oakland fits inside, and other players all hit timely shots. They have to face a tough team in Toledo tomorrow and will need to play at their best to walk away with another win over Boomers this year and a place in the championship game.
Oakland is a talented team. Brownson is a defensive nightmare that can shoot inside and outside at a high percentage. Mask missed many of his shots today but credit the smothering defense of the Loggers for that. Oakland has a quick turnaround, playing Bandon tomorrow morning in the “Breakfast Bracket”. Oakland has the talent to come away with a fourth place trophy, but it will depend on how the team rebounds from this defeat.
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