Valley Catholic celebrated a strong showing at the OSAA 3A State Basketball Championships, with the boys team capturing the state title and the girls team finishing fourth in the state.
The boys claimed the state championship with a 77–61 win over Riverside, pulling away in the final quarter after a tightly contested game through the first three periods. Junior Garrett Frank led the team with 21 points, while Michael Mehta added 22, including several key three-pointers. Hank Lomber secured a double-double, contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds, helping seal the victory as the Valiants closed out a memorable tournament run.
Boys Basketball Flickr Photo Album.
The Valley Catholic girls team also made the most of their trip to the state tournament. After a quarterfinal loss, the Valiants rallied to win the consolation bracket with victories over Pleasant Hill and Sisters, earning a fourth-place finish. Rachel Pippin led the team with 14 points, while Emmee Kinder added 11 points and nine rebounds.
For the girls team’s senior class, the tournament appearance was especially meaningful after coming close to qualifying in previous seasons, making this finish a fitting way to close their time at Valley Catholic.
