Central Oregonian

Cowboys get past Ravens to keep playoff hopes alive

Crook County takes control in second quarter and rolls to 64-52 win

Lon Austin

February 04, 2013

The Crook County Cowboys have passed their biggest test of the season.

Mired in a seven-game losing streak, the Cowboys were in a must-win situation as they traveled to Redmond to take on the Ridgeview Ravens.

With both Ridgeview and Crook County mired far down the OSAA power rankings, the winner of their best two-out-of-three series will be the only team from Special District I that is likely to make the playoffs. Since Ridgeview won the first game, a loss on Friday would probably have eliminated Crook County from any chance of earning a play-in game.

“We billed it as our first play-in game,” Crook County head coach Jeff Lowenbach said following the game. “All week, we told the guys that if we didn’t win this one, we wouldn’t have any way to work our way into the playoffs.”

The team responded, taking a 64-52 win over the Ravens.

“It was an awesome win for us,” Lowenbach said. “We got off to a great start. Fueled by our defensive intensity and our game play, we really had Ridgeview on their heels.”

The Cowboys took a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Then, taking advantage of Ridgeview foul problems, Crook County extended their lead to 26-15 at the half.

Crook County was able to maintain their lead in the third quarter, then held on in a frantic fourth quarter.

The Ravens trailed 37-26 going into the final period. However, launching long-range bombs, Ridgeview exploded for 26 points in the period.

With five three-point shots in the quarter, the Ravens closed to within six points early in the period.

However, the Cowboys were able to answer, hitting key free throws down the stretch as they held on for the win.

Crook County finished 35-45 from the free throw line in the contest, while the host Ravens (4-15) converted just eight of 12 attempts. That proved to be the difference in the contest as the Ravens outscored the Cowboys 44-29 from the floor.

Rebounding was also a key for the Cowboys, who outrebounded the Ravens 33-14 in the contest.

Chance Sutfin was the key to the game for the Cowboys. The 6-1 senior stepped into a starting role when 6-7 Dillon Dees missed the game due to illness.

Sutfin responded with a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds.

“Overall, it was a really good team effort,” Lowenbach said. “But Sutfin really stepped up. He was the player of the game.”

Preston Washechek and Jacob Mahurin were also in double-figures for the Cowboys with 15 and 14 points respectively.

Lowenbach was also pleased with the play of Dillon Dean who chipped in with nine points, all from the free throw line, and nine rebounds.

Justin Alvarez led the Ravens with 16 points, while George Mendazona finished with 12, and Jack Bowman added 11.

The win sets the stage for a huge game when the two teams meet for the third and final time on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

“It sets up a winner-take-all with only the winner getting a play-in game,” Lowenbach said. “It will be our senior night, so hopefully we can get the word out early and have a big crowd there.”

The Cowboys (7-11) are back in action tonight when they host the Summit Storm. The team goes back on the road on Friday when they travel to Bend to take on the Mountain View Cougars. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 1

Crook County 64, Ridgeview 52

at Ridgeview

Crook County (64) — Chance Sutfin 16, Washechek 15, Mahurin 14, Dean 9, Benton 8, Cooper 2, Rutz, Sofich. Totals 13 35-45 64.

Ridgeview (52) — Justin Alvarez 16, Mendazona 12, Bowman 11, Aamodt 4, Johnson 4, Rollins 3, O’Neal 2, Stiles, Stanton. Totals 18 8-12 52.

Crook County 14 12 11 27 — 64

Ridgeview 10 5 11 26 — 52

Three-point goals — Crook County: Not available. Ridgeview: Alvarez 5, Aamodt, Mendazona, Bowman.