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MHS boys emerge as Tri-Valley front-runner
White Buffalos nip La Salle for first place
If you haven't been a believer in the Madras High School boys basketball team yet this season, perhaps you had better start believing.
The White Buffalos handed host La Salle a 57-56 loss last Friday and have emerged as the team to beat in the Tri-Valley Conference.
"It was a huge win and a win at their place," MHS head coach Allen Hair said. "We're sitting pretty good right now."
With the win, Madras (13-4 overall) improved to 4-0 in TVC play - the only team unbeaten in TVC action - and won its fifth consecutive game.
"The kids are playing team basketball and winning on both ends of the floor," Hair said. "We have a big game coming up and we hope to finish the first half of conference play undefeated."
Madras hosted Molalla (12-6, 3-1 TVC) after press deadline Tuesday. The White Buffalos visit Gladstone Feb. 7.
Madras 57, La Salle 56
Edward Zacarias converted a floater with just seconds remaining Jan. 27 to hand Madras a 57-56 victory at La Salle.
Zacarias, who scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter, helped Madras erase a seven-point deficit with three minutes left in regulation.
"It really got quiet when Ed hit that shot," Hair said. "They had a chance to win at the buzzer, but the shot went off the front of the rim."
Madras senior Bobby Ahern scored a game-high 20 points and Andrew McConnell added 12 points.
"Andrew scored 12 big points against a guy that was 6-10," Hair said.
Madras led 32-30 at intermission and Kyle Palmer helped the White Buffalos by drawing five of the team's seven charges.
"Obviously Bobby did a great job and we just had a lot of contributors," Hair said. "Give credit to Steele (Haugen) for hitting a huge 3-pointer in the fourth quarter."
Haugen finished with seven points and Zacarias also had eight assists and five rebounds.
Madras 83, North Marion 53
On Jan. 24, visiting Madras outscored North Marion 23-13 and never looked back during an 83-53 Tri-Valley Conference victory.
Jhaylen Yeahquo paced Madras with 19 points and was one of five players in double figures. Palmer (14), McConnell (13), Zacarias (12) and Ahern (11) also scored double digits.
Ahern dished out 10 assists and had eight steals to go with his 11 poins.t