Rancho Christian (CA) downs South Salem 75-50; while Wilsonville upsets the Longhorns of Lanier (GA) 75-62 to make it to the CCC championship game
SALEM, OR - For a half, the Saxons of South Salem looked the part. They were going toe to toe with Rancho Christian (Temecula, CA) and holding their own in front of large and raucous crowd rooting on the Saxons' every play.
Of course, Rancho Christian was without senior 7'0 post Evan Mobley for the third straight CCC game (ankle injury), and eventually the Eagles' pressure and athleticism won the day.
But for a half, the Saxons made a statement.
The Eagles once again got balanced scoring with five players in double figures led by Jayce Catchings, who scored 24 points. South was led by Emorej Lynk with 13 points.
In the other championship semifinal, Wilsonville upset Lanier (Buford, GA), 75-62. The Wildcats earned their second consecutive trip to the CCC finals on the strength of a big second half they won 43-29. Wilsonville was led by senior wing Dakota Reber (20 points), Gabe Reichle (18), Keegan Shivers (13), and Riley Scanlan (11). The Longhorns were led by Sion James, a Tulane commit, who scored 20 points.
Wilsonville becomes the first Oregon team to make the CCC finals twice. No Oregon team has ever won the Capitol City Classic. Wilsonville lost to Corona Centennial in the finals last year, and West Salem, the only other Oregon team to make a championship game, lost to Mater Dei (CA) in 2016.
For an Oregon team to take home its first Johny Leonard Trophy, Wilsonville faces a huge challenge. Rancho Christian has been dominant in the CCC, even without the mega-talented Mobley. They have won their games by 40, 33 and 25 points, and they have yet to be challenged seriously in the second half of any game.
The Eagles may get a boost as they could have Mobley for the championship game; his status is "day to day" but there is a legitimate chance with two more days of rest and recovery he may be able to give it a go Monday. Time will tell on that front.
The Capitol City Classic championship game will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, 12/23 on Gordie James Court at Willamette University.
2019 CAPITOL CITY CLASSIC
Willamette University; Salem, OR
Saturday, 12/22 Results
Consolation Quarter-finals
Wilson Trojans 64, Central Panthers 58
4th Place Semi-finals
Tigard 76, Sherwood 66
West Salem 79, Sprague 59
Championship Semi-finals
Rancho Christian (Temecula, CA) 75, South Salem 50
Wilsonville 76, Lanier (Buford, GA) 62
Sunday, 12/22 Schedule
Consolation Games
Noon - Thurston Colts v West Albany Bulldogs
1:30 - Scappoose Indians v Central Panthers
5th Place semifinals
3:00 - Silverton Foxes v Parkrose Broncos
4:30 - Corvallis Spartans v Wilson Trojans
CCC CONTEST EXTRAVAGANZA
5:45 - Travel Salem 2-Ball Competition
6:00 - The RE building by Northwest Rehab Skills Challenge
6:15 - Hampton Inn & Suites Salem Hot Shot Contest
6;30 - Capitol Toyota 3-Point Contest
6:45 - Les Schwab Tires Slam Dunk Contest
Championship Monday 12/23 Schedule (partial)
8:30am - TBD
10:00am - TBD
11:30am - TBD
1:00 - TBD
2:30/5th place game - TBD
4:00/4th place game - Tigard Tigers vs. West Salem Titans
5:30/3rd place game - South Salem Saxons vs. Lanier Longhorns (Buford, GA)
7:00/Championship game - Rancho Christian Eagles (Temecula, CA) vs. Wilsonville Wildcats
Tickets are no longer available online, but can be purchased at the gate at Willamette University.