The 2019 lineup for Championship Monday at the Capitol City Classic is set, and it's a day full of great match-ups and intriguing basketball.
The biggest storyline of the day will be whether Wilsonville, upset winners over Lanier (Buford, GA) in the semifinals, can make a game of it against Rancho Christian in the championship game at 7:00pm at Willamette University
. The Eagles have blown through the field -- even without #1-ranked prospect 7'0 Evan Mobley, who has had an ankle injury and been "day to day" throughout the tourney. Rancho Christian has won their first three games in the tourney by a whopping 98 points, and no game has been in doubt at the end of the third quarter.
Mobley has not been ruled out for Monday.
"We hope he can play," said CCC Assistant Tournament Director Ben Collier, "but we know and appreciate and want his health to come first. Everybody wants what is best for the young man first and foremost. He's making great progress from every report and if he can get out there and play that would be awesome, but this is a timeline they have to set, not us. I would not be surprised to see him play some tonight -- even if in a limited fashion -- but they may opt instead just to rest him more. Either way, we support Rancho Christian and the family with the choices they feel are best for them."
Wilsonville surprised the Longhorns of Lanier behind solid defense and a crisp, attacking style that exposed over-extended defensive schemes. The Wildcats (3-1) are a senior-laden bunch, and the only Oregon program to ever reach the Capitol City Classic finals twice. They also have been to five straight Oregon 5A state championship games (an Oregon boys high school all-time record for any classification), and have won 3 of the past 4 5A state championships.
"They certainly are no strangers to big games," said Collier, "and they have won a ton over the years. They also gave Corona Centennial (CA) a good test before fading down the stretch last year. This will be huge test for them, and should show them where they are at this point in time in their season, because Rancho Christian is the real deal."
The third place game will feature a battle between hometown South Salem and Lanier, tipping off at 5:30pm The Saxons battled Rancho Christian for a half before faltering, and they were impressive in the process. The Longhorns, meanwhile, are athletic and have a number of talented players who should make the matchup with South an exciting one.
In the fourth place game at 4:00pm, Tigard and West Salem square off in a battle of two teams that likely will be 6A league title contenders. Silverton will play Wilson in the consolation championship at 2:30pm.
"It's a great slate of games," said Collier.
The CCC Contest Extravaganza was a hit, with players from almost every team in the field represented. Rancho Christian's Bryson Stephens -- a stretch listed at 6'0 in the program -- brought the house down with two electrifying perfect 80 score dunks to share the Les Schwab Tires Dunk Contest championship with South Salem's Nick Zuro. The Capitol Toyota 3-Point Contest contest featured a spectacular dual between Rancho Christian's Luke Turner and West Salem's Justin Scoggin, with Scoggin ultimately winning in prolific fashion. Cason Dougall of Wilsonville won a unique Hampton Inn & Suites Salem Hot Shot Contest that saw players employ seldom-used strategies. The Re_ Building by Northwest Rehab Skills Challenge was won by Rancho Christian's Jayce Catchings, while the Travel Salem 2-Ball Competition was won by the team of Brooks Ferguson and Justin Girod of Central High.
2019 Capitol City Classic Championship Monday Schedule
8:30am - West Albany Bulldogs vs Central Panthers
10:00am - Thurston Colts vs Scappoose Indians
11:30am - Parkrose Broncos vs Corvallis Spartans
1:00 - Sherwood Bowmen vs Sprague Olympians
2:30 - 5th Place Consolation Championship: Silverton Foxes vs Wilson Trojans
4:00 - 4th Place: Tigard Tigers vs West Salem Titans
5:30 - 3rd Place: South Salem Saxons vs Lanier Longhorns (Buford, GA)
7:00 - Championship: Rancho Christian Eagles (Temecula, CA) vs Wilsonville Wildcats
2019 Capitol City Classic Contest Champions
Travel Salem 2-Ball Competion:
Brooks Ferguson/Justin Girod (Central Panthers)
Re_ Bulding by Northwest Rehab Skills Challenge:
Jayce Catchings (Rancho Christian Eagles)
Hampton Inn & Suites Salem Hot Shot Contest:
Cason Dougall (Wilsonville Wildcats)
Capitol Toyota 3-Point Contest:
Justin Scoggin (West Salem Titans)
Les Schwab Tires Slam Dunk Contest:
Bryson Stephens (Rancho Christian Eagles)
Nick Zuro (South Salem Saxons)