Parkrose Broncos Clinch State Championship in Overtime Thriller After 44-Year Drought
McMINNVILLE, OR — After a 44-year wait, the Parkrose Broncos have finally brought a state boys basketball championship back to their Northeast Portland community. The No. 3 ranked Broncos secured a dramatic 65-57 overtime victory against the top-seeded Crook County Cowboys in the 5A championship game, held at Linfield University. This hard-fought win marks a significant milestone for a program that has historically faced challenges in building sustained athletic success.
The Broncos, who last claimed state titles in 1964, 1978, and 1982 during their time in the top classification, had not reached a championship final since their last win. First-year head coach Kendrick Williams sees this victory as the catalyst for a broader transformation at Parkrose.
“I’ve told our principal that we don’t need to limit ourselves to just a good basketball team,” Williams stated. “We have the potential to excel in football, and we have a promising young coach there. Baseball and soccer can also be strong programs. I believe the morale of the school is already improving, and this championship will elevate it to an entirely new level.”
Key Performers and Game Highlights
The championship game was a testament to the Broncos’ resilience and talent. Unanimous first-team all-tournament selection Adrian “Fuzzy” Montague was instrumental in the victory, scoring 22 points in his final high school game. His leadership and performance were crucial throughout the season and especially in the championship.
Juniors Varryk Hardges and Keone Gates, along with sophomore Jayden Hall, also delivered impressive performances, contributing 16, 12, and 12 points respectively. Their strong showings indicate that the Parkrose program will remain a formidable force in the coming years.
A Game of Momentum Swings
Parkrose established a commanding 33-19 lead by halftime. However, Crook County, demonstrating the grit that propelled them to the final, staged a comeback out of the locker room, scoring seven unanswered points to narrow the deficit to 33-26. The Broncos managed to rebuild a 10-point advantage by the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the Cowboys, led by an exceptional performance from Bryce Lowenbach, mount a furious rally. Lowenbach was a dominant force for Crook County, tallying an impressive 30 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and blocking five shots. He spearheaded the Cowboys’ charge, ultimately helping them take the lead in the final minute of regulation.
With the score tied at 52-52, Keone Gates sank a crucial free throw to knot the game, and Crook County was unable to convert a potential game-winning shot as regulation expired.
Overtime Dominance
The extra period proved to be the turning point for Parkrose. Gates struck again with a pivotal layup and foul, putting the Broncos ahead 60-57 with just 37.9 seconds remaining. Although Gates missed the subsequent free throw, the rebound fell to Montague, who secured a five-point lead for Parkrose. The Cowboys were unable to answer, and Parkrose sealed their championship victory.
The Broncos’ offensive efficiency in overtime was remarkable, as they shot 5-for-7 from the field, while Crook County struggled, making only 1-of-7 attempts.
“I made a promise to my seniors that we were bringing this home,” said Gates, who transferred from Grant High School along with close friends Hardges and Keion James. “We were built for moments like this. We’ve been working nonstop for this, all summer, and we showed everyone today.”
A Legacy of Connection and Leadership
The championship holds particular significance for Adrian Montague, who transferred from Roosevelt High School before this season. His victory is the culmination of a long-standing relationship with Coach Williams. The two shared an emotional embrace on the court, reflecting on their shared journey.
“It means more than people even know; he started basketball with me,” Montague said of Williams. “He was my first coach ever, and then we got to come back together. And if we’re going to do something together, we have to finish it.”
Coach Williams lauded Montague’s contributions, emphasizing his indispensable role in securing the state title. “We wouldn’t have a state championship without him,” Williams stated. “He’s an outstanding young man. He doesn’t get into trouble, has a 3.9 GPA, he’s just exceptional. I can call on him to do anything, and he makes my job easier.”
Williams also shared a poignant quote from Montague earlier in the season: “‘We all could go average 20 a game somewhere else, but I came here to win a championship. I can leave my ego at the door and be a team player.’ That set the tone for us the whole year.”
Gates further highlighted Montague’s leadership, describing him as the team’s anchor. “Fuzzy never lets us get our heads down. He’s the best leader we could ever have.”
While Montague is considered the “brains” of the operation, Williams refers to Keion James as the team’s “heart.” Despite the Parkrose roster lacking players taller than 6-foot-3, the 6-foot James was consistently tasked with guarding much larger opponents. His defensive efforts, particularly in the paint, were critical in key moments.
“He’s just a dog,” Williams commented on James, another transfer from Grant. “It doesn’t matter if the guy is bigger; he just goes after it. His heart is contagious with our whole team.”
James expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside his “best friend” Montague, with whom he has been playing since the fifth grade. “We made history, and I hope they go back-to-back next year because this is an amazing program with amazing coaches.”
“It’s good to see some of these kids who grew up in Northeast Portland win a championship,” Williams added. “The brotherhood they have; this is a lifelong bond they’ve forged. And the community supporting us put us over the edge.”
Crook County’s Pride in a Historic Season
Crook County’s head coach, Jason Mumm, expressed immense pride in his team’s historic season, despite the championship game loss. The Cowboys made their first-ever state final appearance in their inaugural year back in the 5A classification after four seasons in 4A.
“I’m proud of what they accomplished for our community,” Mumm said. “A lot of teams down 14 going into half would’ve said ‘hey, second place isn’t bad,’ but we had no quit. I’m proud of them as basketball players, but more importantly, proud of them as human beings.”
Other notable contributors for Crook County included Jace Jonas, who scored 10 points, and Ke’nan Twigg, who added eight points and eight rebounds.
