BAKER BOYS BASKETBALL: Bulldogs wrap up Les Schwab Invitational with 53-40 loss to Lakeridge

Published 9:14 am Monday, December 30, 2024

The Baker boys basketball team wrapped up its stay at the Les Schwab Invitational in Portland Monday morning, Dec. 30, against Class 6A Lakeridge, and although the Bulldogs kept the score relatively close most of the way they ended the prestigious event with an 0-4 record after a 53-40 loss.

Baker opened the tournament Dec. 27 against La Lumiere, Indiana, one of the nation’s top high school teams, then played three Oregon Class 6A schools — Roosevelt, Nelson and Lakeridge.

Baker was the only Class 4A school in the field. The Bulldogs, the defending Class 4A state champions, played without leading scorer Isaiah Jones, who was sidelined after having his appendix removed last week.

After falling behind Lakeridge 12-5 after the first quarter, Baker closed to within 15-13 early in the second, and then tied it at 15 on Rasean Jones’ 15-foot jumper with 4:40 left in the first half.

Baker struggled at times with the Pacers’ 1-3-1 zone defense, particularly in the first quarter. But Baker made a trio of 3-pointers in the second quarter — two by Jaxon Logsdon and one by Grant Gambleton — while outscoring Lakeridge 13-7.

Lakeridge scored in the final seconds to lead 19-18 at the break.

Second half

Gambleton answered a Lakeridge 3-pointer with one of his own to cut the lead to 24-23 with 4:35 left in the third quarter.

Rasean Jones’ two free throws got Baker within 28-25, but Lakeridge then scored 11 of the next 12 points to lead 36-26.

Baker’s Palmer Chandler made a 3-pointer to end the run, but Lakeridge made a 3-pointer in the final 10 seconds to lead 39-29 after three quarters.

Jones scored five straight points to start the fourth quarter, including a breakaway layin on which he was fouled, to cut the lead to 39-34 with 5:36 left.

But Lakeridge answered with two 3-pointers and two free throws to increase the lead to 47-34, and the Bulldogs couldn’t recover.

Logsdon hit a 3-pointer from the right corner to end the 8-0 scoring run and cut the lead to 47-37, and coach Jebron Jones called timeout with 1:48 left.

Lakeridge made a pair of free throws, and the Pacers handled Baker’s fullcourt press in the final 90 seconds.

Rasean Jones led Baker with 18 points. Logsdon added 11.

Baker shot 27% from the field, Lakeridge 47%. Baker committed 18 turnovers to the Pacers’ 11.

Baker, 6-5 on the season, plays its first home game on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m. against Crook County. Baker beat the Cowboys 63-57 in a tournament in Prineville on Dec. 7.

LAKERIDGE (53)

Leake 3 2-2 10, McCarty 3 0-2 6, Baertsch 3 2-2 8, Clarke 4 0-0 8, Harris 1 1-2 3, Wakefield 0 0-0 0, Tomer 0 0-0 0, Baldwin 1 0-0 3, Nichols 0 0-0 0, Reeves 0 0-0 0, Allen 0 0-2 0, Outcalt 6 0-0 15. Totals 21 5-10 53.

BAKER (40)

Gambleton 2 1-2 7, Churchfield 0 0-0 0, Long 0 1-2 1, R. Jones 6 5-5 18, Logsdon 4 0-1 11, Chandler 1 0-0 3, Heriza 0 0-0 0, Holden 0 0-0 0, Joseph 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 7-10 40.

Lakeridge    12     7     20    14 —  53

Baker           5    13     11    11 —  40