OC girls clinch their 17th straight title

The top-ranked Pioneers are 22-0

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Feb 24, 2010

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The top-ranked Oregon City Pioneers last week continued their historic run in high school girls basketball, running their season record to 22-0 with routs of Putnam (95-36) and Lakeridge (76-48).

The defending state champs clinched at least a tie for their 17th straight league title with last Thursday’s rout of the Pacers, upping their Three Rivers League record to 10-0 – with league games remaining only with West Linn (11-11, 7-4) and Lake Oswego (3-20, 2-9).

The Lakeridge game was the Pioneers’ last regular-season home game and Oregon City coach Kurt Guelsdorf celebrated the occasion by keeping seniors on the floor through much of the game.

“The seniors were given standing ovations as they exited the court,” said Guelsdorf. “Truly great young people.”

Guelsdorf noted that four of his six seniors have committed to college programs: Brittany Knighton (Utah), Taylor Belmont (Vanguard), Taylor Ward (Columbia) and Alisa Griggs (Academy of the Arts).

Guelsdorf said that Warner Pacific, Whitman and Lower Columbia Community College have shown an interest in senior Tiffany Brewer, while senior Regan Drake is considering playing softball at Western Oregon University.

Guelsdorf remarked on the 22-0 record: “An unbeaten regular reason is a tribute to the players. Obviously we have two more tough opponents before we can finish this one up. But we are proud of the team and how they have battled adversity in games, and together.”

The Pioneers put Lakeridge away in the second quarter, when they out-scored the Pacers 19-7.

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