Oregon City girls soar in Phoenix

The Pioneers win their first two games in the Nike Tournament of Champions

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Dec 23, 2009

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Oregon City Pioneers proved over the weekend that they are among the best high school girls basketball teams in the nation, as they won their first two games in their bracket of the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions.

After winning a 64-61 thriller over the top-ranked team in Nevada (Bishop Gorman) on Friday, the Pioneers buried Punahou, Hawaii, 68-46, in Saturday’s second round.

They were to meet a team ranked 17th in the nation, the USA Sacramento Dragons, on Monday (Dec. 21). The tournament was scheduled to conclude on Tuesday.

Taylor Belmont was the heroine in the nailbiter with Bishop Gorman. The senior floor leader launched a 55-foot prayer as the horn sounded to gain the Pioneers the victory.

The Pioneers built as much as a 15-point lead, but saw it melt away as Bishop Gorman’s Oklahoma-bound point guard, Aaryn Ellenberger, caught fire from the field. Ellenberger scored 16 points in the final period, including a game-tying shot with 5.5 seconds remaining.

Belmont received the ensuing inbounds pass, took two dribbles, and launched her prayer. The horn sounded as the ball approached the rim, and the crowd roared as the ball found nothing but net.

Belmont had eight assists on the night, but her game-winner was her first field goal of the game.

Freshman post Jo Paine (17 points), senior post Alisa Griggs (11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks), senior wing Tiffani Brewer (10 points), junior wing Ashleigh Anderson (9 points) and senior guard Taylor Ward (7 points, 7 assists) led a balanced Pioneer offensive attack.

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