OC girls compete with the best

The Pioneers improve to 9-0 with a 70-57 win over the No. 1 team in Colorado

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Dec 30, 2009

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Oregon City Pioneers last week proved themselves among the top high school girls basketball teams in the nation, stretching their season’s record to 9-0 with victories over four of the nation’s top teams at the Nike Tournament of Champions.

The Pioneers dominated Highlands Ranch, the defending state champion and top-ranked team from Colorado, winning 70-57 in the Dec. 22 tournament championship game.

A day earlier they had beaten Sacramento Union, a team ranked 17th in the nation, 55-53, in the tournament semifinals. In the tournament’s first two rounds, played Dec. 18-19, they topped Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas, the No. 1 team in Nevada, 64-61; and they defeated Punahou, ranked in the top two in Hawaii, 68-46.

“We found out that we’re very tough mentally,” said Oregon City coach Kurt Guelsdorf. “We dealt with kids being sick and ice bags on knees, but we still played the No. 1 team in Colorado for the championship and ran them out of the gym.”

The press told the tale in the 70-57 win over Highlands Ranch.

“The press and the tempo of the game were key,” said Guelsdorf. “They had 26 turnovers. We jumped on them early and just wore them out.”

Oregon City led 25-18 at the end of the first period and 47-36 at halftime.

Taylor Ward, Tiffani Brewer and Taylor Belmont headed the defensive assault, combining for 11 steals.

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