EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - David Shedrick had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Churchill earned its second consecutive state finals berth with a 68-50 win over Madison in the OSAA Class 5A boys basketball semifinals Friday night.
Churchill (25-2) advances to the championship game, where it plays Jefferson (25-1) on Saturday night at Matthew Knight Arena. Last year, Jefferson defeated Churchill 59-53 to win the title.
The Lancers are seeking their third state title, having previously won in 1995 and 2001.
All five Churchill starters scored in double figures. Deshone Brooks had 13 points, and Brendan Nesbitt 11. The Lancers out-rebounded Madison 38-25.
The game’s high scorer was Aubrey Stephens, who hit 11 of 19 shots and scored 28 points for Madison (18-10).
Churchill has won 21 consecutive games, its last loss coming to Jefferson in the Les Schwab Invitational in December.
Silas Melson scored 21 points and Kadeem Strickland hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:36 remaining, lifting Jefferson to a 53-47 win over West Albany in the earlier semifinal.
The Gonzaga-bound Melson hit four 3-pointers and grabbed 10 rebounds. Devaunte Paschal had 16 points for the Democrats, who are shooting for their fifth state title in seven years.
Nate Sherwood led West Albany (21-6) with 15 points. Isaiah Edwards had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Sherwood’s 3 tied the game 43-43.
Strickland put Jefferson in front for good at 46-43 with a 3-pointer. Melson’s 3-pointer with 1:43 remaining gave the Democrats a five-point lead, and they were able to hold on from there.
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