Henley Tops No. 4 Marist Catholic 46-41 in 4A State Quarterfinals

Sophomore Makayla Schroeder poured in a game-high 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds to lead fifth-seeded Henley past No. 4 Marist Catholic 46-41 in the OSAA Class 4A girls basketball state quarterfinals Thursday at Forest Grove High School, sending the Hornets (21-5) to the semifinals.

Whatever coach Randy Denson told his team at halftime, it worked. Henley trailed 21-17 after Marist Catholic erased a first-quarter deficit with a 12-3 second-quarter surge, but the Hornets came out of the locker room and held the Spartans to just six points in the third quarter to retake control.

The free-throw line proved decisive in a physical contest. Henley attempted 27 free throws and converted 18, a margin that gave the Hornets enough cushion to survive a late Marist Catholic push. With 59.7 seconds remaining, Prestyn Schade drew a charging foul that swung possession back to Henley. Marist Catholic had one final chance to level the score but missed a potential game-tying three-pointer with under 30 seconds left. Schade finished with nine points for Henley, and Gretchen Cheyne contributed eight off the bench.

Katelyn Shoemaker kept Marist Catholic within striking distance, pacing the Spartans with 15 points. She was particularly effective attacking off the dribble in the second half. "There were a lot of times where rejecting screens and just driving to the hoop worked really well for me today," Shoemaker said of her approach down the stretch.

Despite the 46-41 final, the loss does not erase what has been a breakthrough season for what the Register-Guard described as an "upstart" Marist Catholic program. The Spartans entered the quarterfinal at 19-7 after a blowout first-round win over Madras and will now compete in the consolation bracket. Eleven players are set to return next season, including Shoemaker and teammates Powell and Tyner, two other key contributors from this year's roster.

Henley advances to face top-seeded Stayton, which carries a 22-3 record into the semifinal. The Hornets lost to the Eagles earlier this season, giving Saturday's matchup a clear revenge dimension for a team that just proved it can grind out wins at the sport's highest level of 4A competition.