The South Medford boys basketball team punched its ticket to the championship match in the 33rd Abby’s Holiday Classic with a wire-to-wire 75-53 victory over North Eugene on Thursday night.

Panthers forward Ty Dahlin led the charge with four 3-pointers in the first half as he finished with 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field.

The senior also had four rebounds to go along with three blocks and three steals.

“That really helped get my confidence up,” Dahlin said about his start to the game. “I haven’t been shooting too well this season but that was really nice.”

After the first half, Dahlin handed the baton to running mate Jackson Weiland, who finished with a double-double of 24 points and 10 assists to help the Panthers (6-4) grow their lead to as many as 29 points in the second half.

The senior point guard helped distribute the ball evenly to have six other players knock down 3-pointers as South Medford went 10-for-21 (48%) from deep.

“We were in rhythm and they were all good shots,” said South Medford basketball coach James Wightman.

What also allowed the offense to thrive was a Panthers defense that clamped down on the Highlanders (9-2), who are No. 2 in the Class 5A coaches poll.

“If you’d have told me that we would win by 20 or more points, I’d say you’re crazy,” said Wightman.

One of the key cogs for the Panthers on defense was Colby Shuldberg, who was the primary defender on Highlanders senior India Mohiuddin. After scoring 18 points Wednesday night, Mohiuddin finished with eight points Thursday.

Shuldberg finished with five points, three assists and two rebounds, but he knows that his role is on the less glamorous side of the game.

“I know I don’t score a lot of points and I’m fine with that,” said Shuldberg. “I just like playing my best game on the defensive side.”

The Panthers held the Highlanders to only seven points in the first period — surrendering only one field goal thanks to strong communication and contesting every shot attempt.

“We played team defense,” he added. “Our coaches have been really helping us and have told us that if we play together, we’ll be able to lock down any team.”

That defensive pressure left North Eugene to shoot 2-for-13 from beyond the arc, and the Highlanders committed 14 turnovers.

“We’ve really tried to just create chaos on the defensive end,” said Weiland. “We are not going to allow just easy passes around the perimeter.”

“We did a good job of getting in the lanes and getting steals to get in transition,” he added. “It was a combined defensive effort from all five guys.”

With quick work made against North Eugene, South Medford earned a rematch with last year’s Abby’s champion West Salem on Friday with a chance to win the tournament for the first time in 11 years.

“They got us last year,” said Weiland. “We are definitely out for a little revenge (Friday).”

WEST SALEM 61, NORTH MEDFORD 53: Rohan Aulakh and his 15 points were not enough to overcome West Salem as Jackson Leach scored 14 points to lead four Titans in double figures in the championship semifinals at South Medford High.

Martin Ortega added 10 points for the Black Tornado (5-6), while Houston Klug had nine points.

North Medford was set to take on North Eugene for third place at the Abby’s Holiday Classic on Friday afternoon.