Powder Valley girls rally past Union 50-44, clinch Class 1A berth

Powder Valley avenged two earlier losses to Union with a 50-44 win in the most important game of the season to claim third-place in the district tournament Saturday afternoon, Feb. 21, in the Baker gym, and more importantly, earning a berth in the Class 1A state playoffs starting Feb. 25.

After trailing 27-18, Powder finished the half with a run started by Maylee Martin’s 3-pointer. Dixon’s basket gave Powder the lead at 30-29, which was the halftime score, flipping momentum for the Badgers before the break.

The Bobcats quickly regained the lead with two baskets in the first 50 seconds of the second half. Lyndi Bingham’s rebound basket regained the lead for Powder at 34-33, and she followed with another hoop to make it 36-33, keeping the Badgers within striking distance as the third quarter closed.

Union regained the lead at 37-36 entering the final period. Union led 37-36 early in the fourth quarter, but Kellee Dixon’s 12-foot shot from the key gave the Badgers the lead for good at 38-37. Dixon rolled in a 12-footer, and Lyndi Bingham followed with a jumper from the corner to give the Badgers a 40-37 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Powder was called for its fourth team foul with 5:54 left in the quarter, giving Union two free throws with each subsequent foul and putting pressure on the Badgers to protect the lead at the foul line. After Union tied it at 44, Dixon’s rebound basket gave the Badgers the lead at 46-44 with 2:30 left. With 21 seconds remaining, Sky Nesser grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 21 seconds left to all but seal it for the Badgers; Sky Nesser’s rebound basket with 21 seconds left made it 48-44 Badgers. The report gives the score at 48-44 with 21 seconds left and later reports a final of 50-44 without detailing how the final two Powder Valley points were scored.

Powder Valley improved to 17-9 overall with the victory and will play host to Rogue Valley Adventist Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Tipoff time hasn’t been set. The Redhawks, from Medford, are 15-6 overall. The district third-place finish locks in Powder Valley’s path into the Class 1A state playoffs beginning Feb. 25.

On the boys side, Pilot Rock ended Pine Eagle’s season with a 72-53 win in the boys third-place game, closing Pine Eagle’s campaign while Powder Valley’s girls turn their focus to preparing for the Redhawks at home on Feb. 25.