Last year, Barlow’s basketball teams had excellent seasons as both the girls and boys teams placed fifth in the state tournament. In the 2023-2024 basketball season, both of Barlow’s teams continued to find success as they advanced to the first round of playoffs.
Unfortunately, the girls lost their first game against Grants Pass with the final score being 27-59. Although an unfortunate loss, there were still a few wins for the Lady Bruins. For example four of the players earned Mt. Hood Conference awards: senior Laeile Rasmussen got Honorable Mention, senior Kylie Ihrig got Second Team All-Conference, and juniors Rachel Jones and Lizzy Weber both got First Team All-Conference. Even though this wasn’t as successful as the past few years since we lost 6 people from last year Coach Hudson is calling this a “rebuilding year”. With only three seniors on the team this year, the girls basketball team is looking to have a great season next year with several returning players.
The boys had a great season placing first in the consolation bracket and fourth in the state tournament overall. The first game in the state tournament for the boys was on March 6th, 2024, at 3:15 where several Barlow students showed up to support the Bruins. However, they lost to Tualatin 46-62 and went to the consolation bracket. Junior Mason Bierbrauer won Player of the Game with nine points and five rebounds.
After Barlow Boys lost their first game against Tualatin, they played their second game against Jesuit where an unfortunate event happened. Junior cheerleader Ava Gallo accidently knocked the socks off senior starter Sentori Martino and ran into each other while Gallo was doing a back handspring during the starting lineup. Martino flew across the floor and it was later determined he got a concussion and couldn’t play against Jesuit or the final game. Even though this incident took place, the Bruins pulled off a thirty-point win against Jesuit with the final score being 69-39. Junior Braydon Barron earned Player of the Game scoring twenty-three points and twelve rebounds.
The boys moved on to their final game of the season where they barely pulled off the victory against Grant, winning by three points. The final score was 61-58. Junior Mason Bierbrauer was Player of the Game and achieved seventeen points and six rebounds.
Multiple boys on the basketball team were awarded for their abilities this season.Cole Patrick got the school record in assists in a game where he achieved sixteen assists against Nelson. Patrick and Martino earned Honorable Mention in the Mt. Hood conference. Juniors Brayden Barron, Mason Bierbrauer, and Jalen Atkins earned First Team All Conference. Brayden Barron earned 2nd team All-Tournament and averaged 15.3 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game.
This has been a great season for Bruin basketball. Make sure to show your Bruin pride at all of the sporting events at Barlow. Go Bruins!!!
