In a battle for the Oregon West Conference regular-season title in boys basketball, Newport came through on its home floor Tuesday night to defeat Philomath, 76-58.
The Warriors (13-9 overall, 7-3 Oregon West) will now turn their attention to the Class 4A state playoffs. Philomath will wait for the Oregon School Activities Association rankings to freeze next week and pairings to be announced. Coach Blake Ecker said he is trying to find an extra game to play before the postseason.
In the game against the Cubs, Philomath came out of the gate with a hot hand by taking a 23-22 lead into the second quarter. But during those second eight minutes, the Cubs continued to convert while the Warriors hit a wall with just two baskets and a couple of free throws. At the break, Newport held a 40-29 lead.
The Cubs poured it on offensively in the third quarter and led by 24 going into the fourth quarter.
Two players accounted for nearly two-thirds of Philomath’s offensive output. Junior Esias Sapp hit for 22 points on seven field goals, one of those a 3-pointer, and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Sophomore Dreyton Nuño continued to shoot well from long range and had four 3-pointers as part of his 16-point evening.
Seniors Easton Herrmann and Aaidyn Bokuro each scored 24 to lead the Cubs (19-4, 8-2). Junior Collin Fierro added 14. Newport had nine 3-pointers in the victory.
Newport 76, Philomath 58
Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Newport HS
PHILOMATH (58)
Dreyton Nuño 5 23 16, Kaden Howard 0 0-2 0, Esias Sapp 7 7-8 22, Josiah Peters 3 0-0 6, Jamin Peters 2 4-10 8, Cole Barron 1 2-4 4, Hamish McConnell 0 0-0 0, Nathan Seits 0 0-0 0, Ace Gerding 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 15-27 58.
NEWPORT (76)
Collin Fierro 6 0-0 14, Easton Herrmann 8 5-5 24, Aaidyn Bokuro 8 5-7 24, Brock Abel 4 0-2 8, Aiden Brown 0 3-4 3, Quinn Barber 1 0-0 3, Jackson Jincks 0 0-0 0, Jax Sampson 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 13-18 76.
Team 1 2 3 4 F Philomath (13-9, 7-3) 23 6 12 17 58 Newport (19-4, 8-2) 22 18 25 11 76
3-Point Goals—Philomath 5 (Nuño 4, Sapp), Newport 9 (Herrmann 3, Bokuro 3, Fierro 2, Barber). Fouled Out—Abel, Howard. Total Fouls—Philomath 18, Newport 21. Technicals—None.