The girls basketball team finished 14-0 in league this season, bumping up La Salle’s streak to the sixth year in a row of being the undefeated league champions. All that’s in their sight now is winning another state title.

Ranked #2 in state and #1 in the 5A Northwest Oregon Conference, the girls’ regular season play has automatically qualified them for the OSAA’s 16-team bracket, meaning they do not have a play-in game.

Instead, the team advances straight to the first round of the playoffs, taking on Corvallis this Friday at home at 7pm.

Freshman point guard Addi Wedin said, “I think we are all really bonding and playing our hearts out together so far.” On becoming league champs, “[i]t has taught me as well as all of us to be humble and to just go out there and do our best and inspire others.”

On February 16, the girls had a 60-39 win over their rival, #6 Wilsonville. Sophomore forward Kylie Burg said beating their rival “on senior night was just a big confidence boost for the whole team. The energy from that game was unreal, and we really came together as a team.”

With state games approaching, Wedin said, “I’m confident going into state because I know no matter what team we play, we will all do our best to accomplish what we’ve been working for this whole season.”

The girls’ top competitor is #1 ranked Marist Catholic, with a league record of 13-1. During preseason this year, La Salle defeated Marist, 65-56. Last season, Marist lost against Bend in the quarterfinals.

“Every game from now on is going to be a difficult challenge, each game being harder than the last,” said Burg. “[But] our team is so motivated to win the championship, we won’t let anything get in our way.”

On preparing for state, senior forward Megan Lyver said, “We just need to stay composed and be laser focused in every practice and every game 110% of the time. And our friendships and compatibility will lead us to do well.”

If the team wins the game this Friday, they will head down to Gill Coliseum in Corvallis next week. The championship game will take place on March 9th at 6:45pm.

Come out and support the girls at their first playoff game this Friday against Corvallis at 7pm.

Photos courtesy of Ashley Smith.