Seventh-seeded Pirates struggle to adjust without injured point guard Ortega, fall to No. 4 Crook County

Phoenix struggled to get out of the gates and never allowed for much of a chance toward an upset bid in the fourth-place final of the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament Saturday morning in Forest Grove.

Minus injured senior point guard Martin Ortega, the Pirates had to shift their approach on the fly and the puzzle pieces didn’t quite fit on this day against No. 4-seeded Crook County, which raced out to a 20-8 lead through one quarter and won going away 64-25.

“We got a chance to get one more game in, but we just didn’t have it today,” said Phoenix head coach Troy McNichols. “We didn’t have it in any facet of the game, but we still get to bring home a trophy.”

Phoenix, the No. 7 seed, earned its first state trophy in 13 years after officially placing sixth during its first trip back to the final site since 2012.

It was the culmination of a breakthrough campaign in many ways for the Pirates (18-9), who also earned their first Skyline Conference championship this season in 21 years.

“We’re not going to be defined by this game, that’s for sure,” said McNichols. “I think our season was filled with so many highs. We reminded our kids after the game that we have accomplished things this year that Phoenix teams haven’t done for a long time, so we should wear that badge with some pride.”

“Especially the seniors who have stuck through it with me — the Deckers, the Pyeatts and the McQueens, the kids who have been here since their JV2 days,” added the coach. “To see their growth has been amazing, and they should be really, really proud of themselves for their accomplishments.”

Senior post Tobias Akpan led Phoenix with 11 points and four rebounds, but a move to the role as primary ballhandler due to Ortega’s absence kept him off kilter and the 6-foot-4 standout finished 3-for-15 from the field.

Ortega suffered a foot injury with 22 seconds to go in Friday’s 71-52 win over No. 11 Scappoose.

As a team, the Pirates shot 22% from the field (8-for-36) and were only 1-for-11 from 3-point range. Phoenix also had 21 turnovers against three assists, with Crook County taking advantage with a 22-3 edge in points off turnovers Saturday.

“We started the game behind the eight-ball just not even having a floor general, and everyone has to adjust their game to what we need,” said McNichols. “When you take Tobias out of the post and you have to have him handle the ball, he’s just not going to be nearly as effective doing the things he’s been doing all season.”

“I think there was a little bit of letdown from last night with losing Martin, and I think it carried over today,” added the coach. “I still don’t know if we win that game — Crook County’s good, I’m not taking anything away from them — I just think we’re a different team when we’re at full strength.”

Lucas Wihtol, who was coming off a 28-point effort, finished with five points, three rebounds and two blocks, while Brayden Decker had four rebounds and two blocks, William Pyeatt led with two steals and Sidney McQueen grabbed three boards.

Crook County (21-7) held a 32-4 edge in points in the paint, with Jace Jonas scoring 16 points and Gabriel Lopez adding 13, while Bryce Lowenbach pulled in 10 rebounds to go with nine points, four assists and four steals.

PHOENIX (25): Decker 2, Pyeatt 2, McQueen 0, Akpan 11, Wihtol 5, Phillips 0, Ortega 0, Dobbins 2, Petrone 0, Roman 3. Totals: 8-36 8-13 25.

CROOK COUNTY (64): Lopez 13, Kudlac 4, Jonas 16, Lowenbach 9, Prusak 2, Twigg 2, Nash 1, McAda 0, Barker 5, Walker 0, Ustat 4, Stefanek 8. Totals: 25-58 7-13 64.

Phoenix 8 4 5 8 — 25

Crook County 20 17 14 13 — 64

3-point goals — Phoenix 1-11 (Roman 1), Crook County 7-19 (Lopez 3, Jonas 3, Lowenbach 1).

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