MOLALLA — Nixyáawi let a first-quarter lead get away from them as the second-ranked Cougars rallied for a 57-53 win in the second round of the 1A state playoffs Friday night.
Country Christian (22-6) will play Prairie City/Burnt River on March 4 in the quarterfinals at Baker High School.
Nixyáawi, which had been a fixture at the 1A state tournament in Baker City every year since 2018, finished its season with a 17-12 record.
The Golden Eagles held a 17-7 lead in the first quarter, but the Cougars trimmed the deficit to 27-25 at the half with an 18-10 run in the second quarter.
Country Christian went on a 15-10 run in the third quarter for a 40-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The teams played even in the fourth quarter as the Golden Eagles fell short in the end.
Kash Bronson led the Golden Eagles with 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, while Jeffrey Van Pelt added 12 points and seven rebounds, and Irvin Stewart nine points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Nixyáawi hurt itself by converting just 9 of 19 free throws. Ryan Gordon led the Cougars with 20 points, while Tyson Smith had 10 and Danyon Schneider chipped in seven.
