West Salem players celebrate after defeating North Medford 58-55 in overtime at West Salem High School on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.
When Delaney Henery missed six games of the Greater Valley Conference season due to a concussion, it showed in the results of the West Salem High School girls basketball team.
The junior wing proved just how much she means to the Titans on Tuesday.
With the No. 15 seed Titans trailing No. 18 seed North Medford with 39 seconds left, she made a free throw to tie game at 55 then made two more with 14 seconds left to lift West Salem to a 58-55 win in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state playoffs.
The presence of the team’s leading scorer is worth more than just what she brings to the scoreboard, though.
“I think it just proves that our hard work throughout the season is paying off, and it’s easy to look at this one game and be excited, but it has to do with all the practices this entire year that got us ready for this point,” said Henery, who scored 12 points.
West Salem (17-8) advances to Friday’s second round to play at No. 2 seed South Medford.
Before they get ready for that, though, they needed to enjoy Tuesday’s win, which was the first time West Salem won a state playoff game since 2013.
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“This is my first year being on varsity that we’ve made it past the first round,” said senior point guard Tayler Gunesch. “It’s an awesome feeling.”
A 9-0 run in the second quarter put West Salem up 21-15 after a 3-pointer by Henery with 3:53 left in the first half.
The Titans built that lead to 34-23 on two free throws by Brenna Redman with 4:54 left in the third quarter.
But North Medford got aggressive in going to the paint and went on a 15-6 run – including six points by post Megan Fossen – to cut West Salem’s lead to 40-38 going to the fourth quarter.
West Salem’s defensive focus of closing out on the perimeter was effective for most of the game.
“Our goal tonight was definitely to stop (Maggie Freeman),” Gunesch said. “She scored 20 points the last time we played them. I thought we executed that very well.”
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Two free throws by Redman gave West Salem a 50-46 lead with 2:42 left in the fourth quarter, but North Medford tied the game at 50 on a driving basket by Maggie Freeman with 1:24 left, and the game would go to overtime.
The Black Tornado took the initial lead in overtime on a turnaround jump shot by Savannah Baumgardner and went back in front 55-54 with 1:02 remaining on a free throw by Baumgardner, who finished with 16 points.
Henery was fouled with 39 seconds left, and missed her first free throw, but hit the second.
“I have full confidence in her,” said Redman, who scored 18 points. “Even during practice she hits her free throws. And yeah, she missed the first one, but I knew she was going to hit that second one no matter what.”
Henery rebounded a missed shot by Freeman, and was immediately fouled with 14 seconds left to give West Salem the lead for good.
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Gunesch was fouled with four seconds left and made her second of two free throws to put the game out of reach.
Now West Salem’s task is to play one of the state’s top teams on the road in the second round of the state playoffs.
It’s not an easy one, but it’s one to which the Titans are looking forward.
“It’s a great feeling because last year as a freshman I couldn’t play during the playoffs because of surgery, and this year being able to play and make it past first round, it will be great,” Redman said. “Going against a team that’s top ranked, since we have South (Salem) in our league, we already play top-ranked teams so it’s not going to be any different.”
bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler
West Salem sophomore Brenna Redman drives towards the basket in a game against North Medford at West Salem High School on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. West Salem won the OSAA round one playoff game 58-55 in overtime.
West Salem 58, North Medford 55, OT
North Medford: Savannah Baumgardner 16, Me. Fossen 15, Freeman 13, Karrick 9, Hamilton, Mo. Fossen, McLemore, Baker, Lane. Totals 21 12-19 55.
West Salem: Breanna Redman 18, Henery 12, Bain 9, T. Gunesch 6, Markel 4, Diaz 3, McCrae 2, R. Gunesch 1, Rabago, Mumford, Kizer. Totals 18 15-22 58.
NM 10 11 17 12 5-55
WS 12 16 12 10 8-58
3-point goals: North Medford 1 (Karrick); West Salem 3 (R. Gunesch, Henery, Diaz).
West Salem junior Delaney Henery goes up for a basket in a game against North Medford at West Salem High School on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. West Salem won the OSAA round one playoff game 58-55 in overtime.