Western Christian swept the boys and girls 2A state basketball titles this past weekend in Pendleton, accomplishing what only seven other Oregon schools have done in the same season at any level over five decades.
The private school will celebrate both teams Wednesday afternoon during an all-school assembly in the gym on its campus northwest of Salem. The teams also will be acknowledged Thursday morning on the floor of the House of Representatives Chamber at the Oregon State Capitol.
The Western Christian boys brought home their second state championship trophy in three years and fourth overall, beating Portland Christian 62-36 in the title game. They have made six straight championship game appearances and nine overall, winning previous titles in 2011, 2019 and 2022.
The girls won their second state championship and first since 2015, avenging their only loss of the season with a 45-40 victory over Bandon in the title game. They were the state runners-up in 2014 and 2017.
Both teams finished 30-1, giving the nearly 400 fans who traveled to Pendleton plenty to cheer about during back-to-back championship games Saturday night.
"We filled that gym and an entire hotel — we do every year," Western Christian Superintendent Rachael Harms said. "We call it the sea of blue."
She said the school books the hotel a year in advance.
The boys dominated their field, winning four games by an average of 25 points. Senior Kuga Matsumoto and sophomore Diggs Sladek were voted to the first-team all-tournament team and junior Gavin Hall to the second-team.
The girls rolled through the first three rounds, winning by an average of 27 points, to get another shot at Bandon. Sophomore Runon Muroya was chosen to the first-team all-tournament team.
After the teams cut down their respective nets, they moved the celebration from the basketball court to a Pendleton restaurant, joined by their families, school officials and alums. Harms said about 300 people attended.
Western Christian, with an enrollment of 489 students preschool through 12th grade, is located on 45 wooded acres about 15 minutes from West Salem. It was formerly known as Western Mennonite, changing its name in 2018.
The Pioneers have made state playoff appearances in other sports, but only the basketball teams have won state championships.
Sweeping the boys and girls titles in the same season is something that had happened only nine times before in the 48 years since the first OSAA girls basketball tournaments.
Two schools had done it twice: Portland's Jefferson (2008, 2010) and La Salle (1981, 1984). Crane joined them this year, winning both 1A championships this past weekend in Baker City. It also won the boys and girls titles in 2022.
Western Christian is the third local school to join the elite list. Dayton accomplished the feat in 2015 and Stayton in 1995.
The Pioneers will be among the 2A favorites next year. The boys have only one senior on their roster. The starting lineup for the girls included two juniors, two sophomores and a freshman.
The school has already reserved the same Pendleton hotel for 2025.
Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com, or follow her work on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ.
Most Popular
Comments / 0