Debbie Greene leads Paisley boys basketball to state playoffs in Oregon

Paisley came from behind in a pair of Mountain Valley League district playoffs games last weekend to upend the higher seeds and earn its first trip to the State 1A Tournament in eight years.

And the Broncos made it to the district playoffs earning the league's fifth qualifying spot. Three weeks ago, they were 5-5 and sitting in the league's No. 3 spot, then lost their final four league games to end at 5-9 and win the league's fifth and final playoff spot.

MaxPreps Oregon boys basketball playoff brackets

That sent them to play rival North Lake in an elimination game. Trailing with 58 seconds to play, the Broncos outscored the Cowboys (11-5), to win 42-37. That win put them in action the next night against league runner-up Rogue Valley Adventist Academy (18-8 overall and 12-2 league), a team that had beaten the Broncos twice during the regular season and in league.

Trailing with two minutes to play, the Broncos utilized a full-court press to force a couple of timely turnovers as senior Gabe McKay hit a key 3-pointer and Adam Adington converted a three-point play to rally for the win, 52-48.

"I have 14 boys walking on cloud nine ready to take on the world. No matter how we end up this year I couldn't be more pleased with their determination, hard work, compassion and sportsmanship with each other and the other teams," said Debbie Greene, one of three women who coach boys varsity basketball teams in Oregon.

A streaky team, the 13-9 Broncos won their first six games of the season, but lost their last five - until the must-win district playoffs. Averaging 55.7 points per game, Greene said the play of McKay, Jack O'Leary and the bench have highlighted the team's efforts.

"It's been a great year," said Green. "The guys were focused and determined to make state playoffs this year. We have won more games and gone farther than any Bronco team in eight years."

The former college standout added, "I think I have earned the respect of the boys and quieted any doubts that a woman can coach boys. I have learned so much this year and will take it forward next year."

A first round win would put the Broncos in a second round game with Elkton on Feb. 26.

Editor's note: Look for Tom Mauldin's upcoming feature on Oregon's three women who coach boys varsity basketball teams.

THREE-TIME RECORD HOLDER, 8-TIME CHAMP STEALS 6A SWIM SPOTLIGHT
Kaylin Bing is now an eight-time state champion after the Roseburg senior clocked 22.83 seconds in winning the 50-yard free, then blazed to a 50.08 victory in the 100 free at the 6A state meet, but Jesuit (Portland) won the girls team title with 183 points.

Bing, who will attend California, won both sprints in state-record time to help Roseburg place eighth with 54 points. Rounding out the top three were Southridge/Beaverton (118) and Newberg (110).

Bing held the old 50-free mark with a time of 23.14. The previous record for the 100 free was 50.11 by Laura Miller (David Douglas/Portland) in 2010. Bing also holds the state mark in the girls 100 fly.

Duke-bound Megan McCarroll was Jesuit's lone winner, taking the 100 backstroke, but with 10 finalists and a trio of relay finishes, the Crusaders scored enough for the girls title.

Aloha (Beaverton) swimmer Neil O' Halloran also set a state record in winning the boys 100 butterfly with a time of 48.72 (old mark was 49.26), but Sunset (Portland) relied on depth to score 139 points and take the boys 6A title. Defending champion Grant/Portland (125) was second and Lake Oswego (122) rounded out the top three.

Sophomore Cameron Sitt was Sunset's only individual winner. It was Sunset's first state swim title since 1965.

O'Halloran, who will swim for Missouri, also won the 200 Free.

Corvallis scored 62 points to easily capture the boys 5A title with Cleveland/Portland runner-up (37) and South Albany third (33). Logan Parker set a 5A meet record in winning the 50 freestyle (21.43). Corvallis also won the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

Summit (Bend) senior Chris Nyaradi claimed titles in the 200 and 500 freestyle, and Mountain View (Bend) freshman Brandon Deckard won the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly. Deckard's time of 1:54.1 was a 5A meet record in the 200 IM.

Crescent Valley (Corvallis) swam away with their fifth-straight girls 5A title scoring 78 with runner-up Corvallis second (42) and Summit/Bend (37) third. The Raiders won six of the 11 events and got two wins each from Lauren Allen (200 and 100 freestyle) and Erika Twenge (50 freestyle and 100 butterfly). Junior Jessie James set two 5A State Meet records for Corvallis - in the 200 IM (2:04.9) and the 500 free in 4:54.8.

In the small schools competition, Phoenix (57 points) captured the girls title and North Bend (45) edged Cottage Grove (43) for the boys title.

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