South Salem’s J. Nielsen-Skinner and the Saxons defeat Clackamas 82-74 in overtime in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state basketball tournament Thursday, March 10, 2016, at the Chiles Center at University of Portland.
PORTLAND — Joseph Carey can get lost in the crowd.
Though the 6-foot-4 senior forward for South Salem High School’s boys basketball team is known for his defensive prowess, he can fade into the background with a talented group of shooters who can score in diverse ways.
In overtime Thursday night, he asserted himself.
Trailing No. 2-ranked Clackamas 71-69 in overtime in Thursday’s first round of the OSAA Class 4A state tournament at the Chiles Center, Carey hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give No. 7-ranked South Salem a lead it would never relinquish in an 82-74 win.
“He’s had some big shots in big games, and it was no surprise to see those going in like that with that kind of confidence and also to defend his butt off all game,” South Salem coach Tyler Allen said.
“We knew he was tired. To be able to come out and do that, that was great.”
No. 6 seed South Salem (25-2) advances to the semifinals for the second time in three years and will play Sheldon or South Medford at 8:15 p.m. Friday.
“The teams that are playing now we’ve played before and we’re confident going in against either team,” said Carey, who scored 14 points and had five rebounds. “I feel like we have a good chance of going to the championship.”
South Salem’s 6-foot-10 Christian Russell had the game of a lifetime.
Cascade’s strong defensive effort overcomes upstart Madras
The senior scored 28 points, had 11 rebounds and three assists as the Saxons went to him and 6-7 Khalid Thomas – who scored 14 points – often.
“We knew we had a size advantage with 6-7 and 6-10, they only have the one guy who is 6-9, so I just had to feed the big fella, get him his buckets,” said freshman point guard Jaden Nielsen-Skinner, who scored 11. “That’s the best he’s played all season. I’m proud of him.
“He just came up big. He’s a big-time player. He’s never been at this stage. Neither have I, but he just experienced the big time and came up clutch.”
Clackamas tried to push the pace early, but South Salem was able to slow the tempo with its halfcourt offense.
Tyler Wadleigh’s back-to-back 3-pointers at the end of the first quarter gave the Saxons a 25-22 lead.
The Cavaliers pushed the pace again to start the third quarter and tied the game at 43 on a long basket by Beau Gunderson.
Kennedy’s Kenzie Ratliff is the athlete of the week
But Carey hit a 3-pointer from the side to give the Saxons back the lead and Khalid Thomas’ dunk at the buzzer gave South Salem a 52-45 lead after three quarters.
Clackamas was held to one 3-pointer in the first three quarters.
“The only time they really got the looks they wanted were when we had to rotate and help on the drive or on the offensive rebound,” Allen said. “I think paying attention to detail on the scouting report was huge for us tonight.”
Clackamas’ Mitchell Fink hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and went on a 12-2 run to go up 63-60 with 2:18 left.
Carey made his second of two free throws with 1:18 left to tie the game at 65, and Clackamas would run out the clock on regulation.
The Cavaliers led the early stages of overtime, but Carey’s 3-pointers gave the Saxons the momentum for the win.
Silverton rolls in 5A girls state quarterfinals
“I’m glad they had trust in me to find me, and I’m just glad I could knock it down,” Carey said.
In Thursday’s 6A girls consolation semifinals, McNary beat No. 1 seeded Oregon City 55-46 to advance to Saturday’s 9 a.m. fourth place game to play South Medford.
Madi Hingston scored 16 points, Kailey Doutt scored 13 and Reina Strand scored 12 points and had 11 rebounds for McNary (21-6).
Oregon City started fast and led 14-6 in the first quarter.
Hingston made a pair of 3-pointers at the end of the fourth quarter to tie Oregon City at 37 and give the Celtics a 40-38 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler
Fans cheer as South Salem defeats Clackamas 82-74 in overtime in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state basketball tournament Thursday, March 10, 2016, at the Chiles Center at University of Portland.
South Salem’s Khalid Thomas and teammates celebrate after defeating Clackamas 82-74 in overtime in the first round of the OSAA Class 6A state basketball tournament Thursday, March 10, 2016, at the Chiles Center at University of Portland.