The Big Playback 1/31 Pt. 1: Ridgeview’s Leunen drops 30 points in 1st league win; Redmond girls still dominating the IMC
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ridgeview secured its first league win of the season in dramatic fashion Friday night, edging Mountain View 69-68 in a game filled with high-flying action and relentless shooting. Gavin Leunen dominated the night with 30 points and multiple blocks, leading the Ravens to victory.
The game started fast, with Jackson Hertel getting Ridgeview on the board early, followed by Leunen drilling a three from downtown. But Mountain View kept pace behind Charlie O’Connell and Mason Chambers, who caught fire from beyond the arc. Chambers found O’Connell for back-to-back threes, and with a heat check drained another triple to fuel the Cougars’ offense.
The teams traded blows throughout the first half, with Ridgeview taking a 37-33 lead at halftime behind Leunen’s 21-point explosion. Brady Muilenburg added key baskets in transition, while Hertel and Logan Nakamura knocked down threes to keep the Ravens in control.
Mountain View wasn’t backing down, as Chambers put on a shooting clinic, hitting a total of eight three-pointers on the night. Every time Ridgeview looked to pull away, Chambers answered, sinking contested shots and keeping the Cougars within striking distance. Quinn Goewey added clutch baskets, and a late three from Chambers tied the game.
In the final seconds, Muilenburg came up with a massive defensive play, blocking a potential game-winner to seal the victory.
Ridgeview improves to 1-2 in league play and looks to build momentum when they host Bend next Friday.
Redmond Dominates Bend, Improves to 3-0 in League Play
The fourth-ranked Redmond Panthers showed why they are among the best in the state, delivering a commanding 73-30 victory over Bend High on the road. Redmond’s defense was relentless, racking up steals and turning them into easy points as they cruised to a 3-0 start in league play.
Azlynn Ure set the tone with a steal and finish, igniting a defensive showcase by the Panthers. Mylaena Norton and Dylan Cheney caught fire from beyond the arc, draining multiple threes to push Redmond’s lead early.
Norton also played the role of facilitator, feeding Naveah Villa and Maisen Porter for easy baskets. The Panthers’ defensive pressure overwhelmed Bend, with Ure and Norton swiping steal after steal to keep the Lava Bears from gaining momentum.
Despite the tough matchup, Bend saw strong performances from freshman Brooklyn Mettler, who hustled to save possessions and set up key buckets, and Abigail Johnson, who knocked down jumpers to keep the Lava Bears battling. Brooklyn Gilsdorf added a tough finish over defenders, while Mettler showed her versatility by getting to the rim and drawing fouls.
But Redmond’s offense never slowed down. Cheney, who once hit eight threes in a single game, was on fire again, while Lola Smith, Aspen Morris, and Freya Snow all knocked down key shots. Bergen Morris made her presence felt inside, finishing strong in the paint. The Panthers closed out the first half with a staggering 50 points, capped by a deep three from Alanna Friend.
With their dominant win over Bend, Redmond remains undefeated in league play at 3-0. They’ll look to keep the momentum going as they continue their pursuit of a league title.
