Boys team falls to Rams in double-OT

By Matthew Sherman

The West Linn Tidings, Mar 11, 2010

Michael Underriner puts up a three-pointer during West Linn’s first-round playoff game against Central Catholic last week. Underriner knocked down seven three-pointers in a row in the course of the game, ending with 25 points but the Lions lost to the Rams in double overtime, ending the team’s season. Below, head coach Eric Viuhkola gives his team instructions during a time out in overtime at Central Catholic.

STAFF PHOTOS / VERN UYETAKE

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The West Linn boys basketball team's season ended with another heartbreaker last week, taking Central Catholic to double overtime before falling 73-64.

The Lions took the Mt. Hood Conference champions to the brink, leading by a slim margin for the majority of the contest but the Rams came up with a handful of clutch plays down the stretch to grind out the win at home.

For West Linn, the game was highlighted by the heroics of senior Michael Underriner.

Underriner canned seven consecutive three-pointers from the second quarter through the first overtime stanza, ending with a game-high 25 points and eight rebounds.

The Lions led throughout the game and didn't let Central Catholic take a lead until early in the fourth period.

"I thought we played well we just couldn't quite pull it out. We were confident going in and it just came down to who made that one play," Underriner said.

West Linn opened the game with a 7-0 run using good rebounding and defense to grab the early advantage.

Central Catholic was ice cold from the three-point line to start the game but the Lions failed to take advantage as they routinely shot themselves in the foot with turnovers. The Rams missed their first eight shots from the field but the Lions only led 9-6 after one period.

That trend continued into the second quarter. West Linn shot the ball considerably better than the Rams did in the first half but had a dozen turnovers before the break and could never establish a large lead.

But, in the second quarter, Underriner caught fire. After missing his first three shots from the field, Underriner drained three three-pointers and then, in the closing seconds of the half, buried another contested shot from beyond the arc to give the Lions a huge boost heading into the locker room.

West Linn led 23-19 at the half and Underriner hit another three-pointer early in the third quarter before picking up his third foul.

Zach Valentine came off the bench and made a nice contribution for the Lions. He pulled down three offensive rebounds and converted them into lay-ups. But Central Catholic started to shoot the ball better and got to the line to keep West Linn within striking distance.

The Lions still clung to a 36-35 lead with one quarter to play but Central Catholic grabbed its first lead with just under seven minutes to go in the game.

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