Summit boys win first-round playoff game over Sheldon
Storm take the 57-45 victory in first 6A playoff game, play at Jesuit Saturday
(Update: adding Summit win)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The celebration is on at Summit High School, where the Storm defeated the Sheldon Irish 57-45 Wednesday night in their first playoff game since moving up to the 6A division.
Jacob Tompkins, Co-Player of the Year in the Mountain Valley Conference, led the way for the Storm with 21 points and three steals.
"6A is different than 5A," coach Jon Frazier told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday before the game. "The teams that are in the playoffs are all talented teams. We feel that we're good enough to beat everybody in the field, but we know that we have to play our best, or else our season is over."
After winning each of their last five games, and nine of their last 10, the Storm have all the momentum on their side.
"We are playing well, certainly having a lot of confidence heading into the playoffs," Frazier said. "We are playing our best basketball at the right time."
They'll look to keep that trend going on Saturday, but it will be their toughest tilt yet. They play on the road at top-seed and defending 6A champion Jesuit.
The Storm will look for big games once again for their top playmakers. That includes, Tompkins, who was named First-Team All-Conference, as well as their Second-Team selections in point guard Julian Mora, forward Evan Scalley and forward Luke Cody.
The Storm boys' win comes one night after a great showing from the Bend Lava Bear girls' team, who polished off Portland's Grant High 54-39 in their opening-round playoff contest Tuesday night, also at home
Tune in at 11 on Friday night for a special playoffs-week highlights edition of The Big Playback, with Goldwasser and Jordan Williams.