PREP HOOPS: Phoenix earns first Skyline Conference boys title in 21 years

Published 8:08 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025

By KRIS HENRY / Rogue Valley Times

Ortega sets tone early, drops in 27 points to top Mazama in battle of league leaders

The high hopes Phoenix carried into this boys basketball season — and the dedication to achieving those goals — paid off for the Pirates with one of their best efforts of the season Tuesday night during a 68-59 victory over Mazama.

The battle of Skyline Conference leaders — both entered the night tied at 9-2 in league play — saw host Phoenix seize control early behind a torrid scoring pace set by senior Martin Ortega and never fade to earn the program’s first Skyline title in 21 years and only sixth since 1965.

“They really put forth tremendous effort,” said Phoenix head coach Troy McNichols of the wire-to-wire win. “We knew it was going to be physical, and we knew it was going to be a dogfight because we matchup really well against each other.”

“I think that we just put a couple good runs together,” he added, “and were able to withstand their approach as far as attacking us and got some stops when we needed to. There were a lot of great things that happened in this game, for sure.”

Phoenix’s Martin Ortega shoots for 3 points against Mazama Tuesday evening in Phoenix. Andy Atkinson / for the Rogue Valley Times

Chief among them was a high rate of efficient play from Ortega, who scored 11 of his game-high 27 points in the first quarter to build confidence for his team. Ortega also wound up with six assists to bolster Phoenix (16-7, 10-2 Skyline).

“Martin has a tendency to do that,” said McNichols. “He gives us the injection in the arm that we need. I could tell that he was fired up before the game even started. He was focused and he came out and really delivered and got us going, and he maintained it throughout the course of the game.”

“That just opens it up for the other guys, when they have to put so much emphasis on trying to stop him,” added the ninth-year head coach. “And then when they don’t stop him, he just kind of takes over, and that’s what he did tonight. He just kind of ran the show. I’m extremely happy for him, I thought he played really well.”

Despite efforts by Mazama to collapse its defense to keep Tobias Akpan from taking over down low, the 6-foot-4 senior post managed 14 points, and Brayden Decker shook off foul issues to collect all 11 of his points in the second half.

William Pyeatt and Decker hit momentum-building 3-pointers early in the third quarter, and Decker added another with 1:20 to play off a kickout from Ortega to help stave off a comeback bid by the Vikings.

“Decker hit a couple 3s when we really needed them tonight,” said McNichols. “He went out of the game early with foul trouble, but when he got his chances coming back into the game, I felt like he was a steady presence on the defensive end as well as the stroking of the 3. He’s definitely one of our best shooters, and he’s been clutch all season.”

Phoenix’s Brayden Decker shoots for 3 points against Mazama Tuesday evening in Phoenix. Andy Atkinson / Rogue Valley Times

Led by Kai Hunt, who scored 18 for Mazama, the Vikings were able to close within a two possession game late in the third quarter and midway through the fourth, but the Pirates never flinched.

“That’s something we haven’t always done, especially this year with so many new faces,” said McNichols. “It really is a joy as a coach to be able to see things coming together like that. I’m a pretty proud guy right now.”

Phoenix senior Tobias Akpan shoots over Mazama’s Dominic Melgoza during Tuesday’s game in Phoenix. Andy Atkinson / Rogue Valley Times

The Pirates went 8-for-10 from the free-throw line in the final 78 seconds to withstand a late barrage of 3-pointers by Mazama.

“Especially coming off a game (Monday), for the guys to respond the way they did tonight, I think it shows how much moxie they have and I really think that it bodes well for the state playoffs,” added McNichols. “If this is a sign of what’s to come, man, I’m just really proud and super excited about what the next couple weeks is going to hold for us.”

MAZAMA (59): Nanni 10, Melgoza 14, Hayden 2, Hunt 18, Piscitello 7, Peters 0, Beals 8. Totals: 23 7-9 59.

PHOENIX (68): Decker 13, Pyeatt 7, McQueen 2, Akpan 14, Ortega 27, Dobbins 0, Wihtol 5. Totals: 22 15-20 68.

Mazama 12 14 16 17 — 59

Phoenix 19 12 20 17 — 68

3-point goals — Mazama 6 (Nanni 2, Melgoza 2, Hunt 2), Phoenix 9 (Ortega 4, Decker 3, Pyeatt 1, Wihtol 1). Technical fouls — Mazama bench.

ASHLAND 58, EAGLE POINT 50: At Eagle Point, Jojo Harrower and Quillian Tourzan registered 11 points apiece for Ashland and Isaac Matsdorf added 10 to clinch the Midwestern League victory.

Connor Neyt led Eagle Point with 13 points, while Angel Cervantes had 12 points and Logan Moreno added 11.

Ashland (12-10, 5-5 MWL) has won three of its last four games and stands tied with Churchill for third in the conference with two games remaining.

Eagle Point (8-16, 3-8) has lost three straight games entering its season finale.

Phoenix’s Lilly Quintero steals the ball against Mazama Tuesday evening in Phoenix. Andy Atkinson / for the Rogue Valley Times

Girls Basketball

PHOENIX 64, MAZAMA 23: At Phoenix, Alissa Alvarez erupted for 33 points with 16 rebounds, four assists and four steals to lead the charge for Phoenix in the Skyline Conference romp.

Lily Quintero was active with 10 steals to go with 14 points for the Pirates (14-9, 7-5 Skyline), who wrapped up the season tied for second place with Klamath Union.

Phoenix was granted the No. 2 playoff seed out of the Skyline by virtue of a three-game series edge over the Pelicans, as well as a higher 4A state power ranking. As a No. 3 seed, Klamath Union will face a play-in game to get into the final playoff bracket.

Carsyn Sousa chipped in with 12 pts, three steals and three assists, and Mae Woodward had seven rebounds, five assists and four steals against Mazama (1-22, 0-12).

MAZAMA (23): Kirkpatrick 0, Holbrook 0, Byington 9, O’Brien 1, Lee 0, Derritt 0, Davis 0, Slezak 0, Hernandez 12.

PHOENIX (64): Quintero 14, Sousa 12, Woodward 5, Alvarez 33, Noxon 0, Carrithers 0, Foster 0.

Mazama 10 4 7 2 — 23

Phoenix 16 14 20 14 — 64

Technical fouls — Kirkpatrick.

Phoenix senior Alissa Alvarez drives to the basket for a score against Mazama Tuesday evening in Phoenix. Andy Atkinson / for the Rogue Valley Times

EAGLE POINT 70, ASHLAND 35: At Eagle Point, Eagle Point held pace in the Midwestern League standings to remain one game ahead of Thurston in third place with only one game remaining against last-place Churchill at home.

The Eagles improved to 13-9 overall and 6-5 in MWL play, while Ashland dropped to 5-17 and 1-9, respectively.

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

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