Akpan registers 18 points and 17 rebounds, but seventh-seeded Phoenix unable to stave off No. 2 Marshfield in quarterfinals

For 44 seconds, Phoenix got to feel what it was like again to take a lead in the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament following a 13-year absence from the event.

Pretty much the rest of the time late Thursday night, seventh-seeded Phoenix spent its time trying to solve the enigma of breaking down Marshfield’s zone defense while also trying to slow the No. 2 seed on the other end of the floor.

Phoenix may not have held the lead for long, but in this quarterfinal battle of Pirates, only four points separated the teams until Marshfield seized control with a 17-6 run in the second quarter and led by as many as 28 points in the fourth for a 64-41 triumph in Forest Grove.

Phoenix senior Tobias Akpan fell one rebound shy of equaling his career high with 17 rebounds to go with 18 points — 12 coming in the final quarter. The energetic 6-foot-4 post found little room to operate against Marshfield’s collapsing defense, and finished 5-for-16 from the field and 8-for-19 from the free-throw line.

Senior point guard Martin Ortega contributed 15 points, three assists and two steals on 6-for-14 shooting from the field, but the rest of the Phoenix rotation was largely held silent as the other starters were a combined 2-for-16 from the field.

With the loss, Phoenix (17-8) dropped into the consolation round and will next face No. 11 Scappoose at 10:45 a.m. Friday in an elimination game. Scappoose lost 58-52 to No. 14 Mazama in their quarterfinal matchup.

Phoenix, which earned its first Skyline Conference title in 21 years this season, is seeking to earn its first state trophy since finishing runner-up in 2012 after winning the 4A title in 2011.

Statistically, not much separated the pair of Pirates in Thursday’s clash beyond Marshfield’s ability to go 15-for-25 on layups thanks to a well-oiled attack and Phoenix unable to counter by going 6-for-20 in the same category.

Marshfield also collected 10 more rebounds (49-39) and committed five fewer turnovers (16-11) to control the contest.

Senior guard Steel Carpenter led Marshfield (22-3) with 25 points thanks to a 6-for-13 showing from beyond the arc, while 6-7 center Luke Jackson had 19 points and 10 rebounds and freshman point guard Jackson Ainsworth added 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Marshfield scored its second win over Phoenix after previously winning 60-32 in a Dec. 14 meeting.

PHOENIX (41): Decker 3, Pyeatt 0, Akpan 18, Ortega 15, Wihtol 2, McQueen 0, Dobbins 3, Roman 0. Totals: 14-51 8-19 41.

MARSHFIELD (64): Jackson 19, Ainsworth 14, Vineyard 6, Carpenter 25, Martin 0, Salter 0, Holmes 0, Kennedy 0, Pederson 0, Butler 0, Wyatt 0. Totals: 24-67 10-15 64.

Phoenix 7 6 14 14 — 41

Marshfield 11 17 12 24 — 64

3-point goals — Phoenix 5-21 (Ortega 3, Decker 1, Dobbins 1), Marshfield 6-26 (Carpenter 6).

Reach sports editor Kris Henry at khenry@rv-times.com or 458-488-2035