ARLINGTON — Nixyaawii is not used to being the underdog, but as the No. 18 seed, it hit the road to play Ione/Arlington in the first round of the 1A state playoffs.
Nixyaawii used a 21-14 run in the third quarter to break open a close game, then held on down the stretch for a 65-60 win Tuesday night and a trip to the second round.
“It was a team effort,” Nixyaawii coach Aaron Noisey said. “Kash (Bronson) got timely buckets, Jeffrey (Van Pelt) got timely buckets and we got some good rebounds. We got things at the right moments to win.”
The Golden Eagles (17-11) advance to play Friday at No. 2 Country Christian, who beat Alsea 55-27. Ione/Arlington finished its season with a 17-10 record.
“I am looking forward to it,” Noisey said. “We’ve had some battles in the past with them. They got us last year at the state tournament, but we are a whole different team.”
Against Ione/Arlington, the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first quarter behind eight points from Irvin Stewart.
The Cardinals rallied back in the second with a 26-13 run, courtesy of 10 points from Ryder Steward, for a 30-28 lead at the half.
“We had an uncharacteristic moment in the second quarter where we allowed them to get back in the game,” Noisey said. “They are a good team and they were playing at home. It was not unexpected that they would give us a good game. We knew we were going to have to battle.”
Bronson scored seven of his 13 points in the third quarter to get the Golden Eagles back on track. Each team scored 16 points in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals ran out of time.
“We were down by two with 40 seconds to go and we had to foul,” I/A coach Nathan Heideman said. They can shoot really well. It was a good season and the boys played their hearts out. I couldn’t be prouder of a group of young men.”
Stewart led Nixyaawii with 21 points, nine rebounds and three assists, while Van Pelt had 13 points, with right rebounds, four assists and three steals, and Keli Spencer had 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Kyan Webb led the Cardinals with 19 points, while Henry Giefing had 14 and Steward 13.
