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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2019)
7A Friday, December 13, 2019 The Observer PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP Albee drops 26 as Eagles roll Observer staff Sabrina Albee scored 26 points Thursday — 17 in the fi rst half and 10 in the fi rst quarter — to continue her torrid start to the season as the Joseph Eagles took care of Adrian, 51-32, at the Badger Tournament in North Powder. It was Albee’s third game with at least 24 points to start the season, and the junior is aver- aging 26.3 points per game in the early going. Molly Curry added seven of her nine points in the second quarter, one that saw Joseph score 18 points to open up a 34-19 lead at the half. Camille Crenshaw added seven points for the Eagles (3-0 overall) who face Union today in another game at the Badger Tournament. Also BADGERS RALLY IN SECOND HALF Observer fi le photos Eastern Oregon University’s Megan Bunn, left photo, and Josee Bassett were both named second-team all-Americans. All-American status By Ronald Bond The Observer LA GRANDE — Two seniors who recently played their fi nal matches for Eastern Oregon University each garnered one fi nal feather in her cap — second-team all-American. EOU volleyball player Megan Bunn and women’s soccer player Josee Bassett both were named to the all-American squads, the NAIA offi ce announced this week. Bunn’s award comes on the heels of con- cluding a second consecutive historic season for EOU and caps a historic career for the senior outside hitter. Bunn fi nished the sea- son with the second most kills in a season in EOU history (455) and added 410 digs. Bunn is the only Mountaineers in program history with 400 kills and 400 digs in a season, also accomplishing the feat a year ago. “It was very rewarding and humbling that I was able to get (all-American) for another year along with several other amazing athletes,” Bunn said. She fi nished her career with the second most kills all-time in the program at 1,331, and she added 1,011 digs to become the fi rst player in program history with more than 1,000 digs, a category in which she is sixth all-time at EOU. “Megan truly left everything she had on the fl oor at nationals, and as a player and a coach, that’s what you always want,” head coach Kaki McLean-Morehead said. Bassett, meanwhile, was a crucial defender for the women’s soccer team not only this season but throughout her career. The second-team all-American was an an- chor for a defense that this season allowed just 13 goals in 23 games (she started 21 of them) and shut out 14 opponents. Of- fensively, she added three goals and four assists from her defensive position. “It’s very bittersweet, and was honestly the perfect way to end an amazing season,” Bassett said of the award. “It truly was the icing on the cake. I am so grateful to be able to represent EOU women’s soccer and help make an even bigger name for the program.” Bassett was a four-year starter at EOU who during her career started 78 of 80 matches played, missed only one contest, and was part of a defense that allowed just 0.65 goals per game and shut out 46 opponents. She also was part of a team that made program history each of the past two seasons — last year winning its fi rst NAIA postseason game and advancing to the fi nal site, and this season winning a game at the fi nal site and reaching the national quarterfi nals. Also earning national recognition was junior setter Madison Pilon of the volleyball team, who was a third-team all-American, and senior forward Nan Kiebert of the women’s soccer team, who was honorable mention. Goalkeeper Savannah Hutchinson also earned accolades postseason as she was named to the fi rst-team all-tournament team for soccer. Pilon fi nished her best season at EOU with 1,171 assists, fourth most all-time, and 351 digs. She also had 46 blocks, including four solo. Kiebert also had her best season for the Mountaineers, fi nishing with career-bests of 12 goals and seven assists. WOMEN’S SOCCER SURGES BACK INTO TOP 10, VOLLEYBALL FINISHES 13TH After jumping as high as sixth in the nation and later falling out of the national poll, the EOU women’s soccer team moved back into the top 10 in the fi nal poll of the season, fi nishing its historic season at No. 10 in the nation. EOU reached the quarterfi nals of the NAIA national tournament for the fi rst time ever and fi nished with a record of 16- 3-4. The 16 wins tied last season’s total for second best in program history. The team also scored 62 goals on the season, which was second most in program history. The Eastern volleyball team, meanwhile, was 13th in the fi nal poll after a season that saw it go 31-5 but fall in the round of 16 at the national tournament. The 31 wins was second most in program history. The team was also one of the best defensive teams in program history, setting a record for digs in a season (2,490) and block as- sists (615), and also setting the second-best mark for total blocks (337.5). The team also was fi rst in attack attempts (5,071), third in kills (1,628) and third in assists (1,500). Perry grabs POY for dominant LHS girls By Ronald Bond The Observer LA GRANDE — Given how dominant the La Grande girls soccer team was during Greater Oregon League play, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they dominated the all-GOL awards. Eleven players, including seven on the fi rst team, were named to the all-league squad, led by Katie Perry earning the distinction of player of the year and Sam Brown being named coach of the year. “I am really humbled to receive this award,” said Perry, a senior. “Since I have decided not to play college soccer, I am really grateful to end my soccer career on a good note, and to see hard work pay off in some way. Above all, I’m just so grate- ful to my team, coaches, my family and God, who have given me the opportunity to play and who all should be receiving this award along with me.” The Tigers have swept the GOL the last three seasons and this year outscored the opposi- tion in six league games by a score of 34-1. “I thought it was the right choice given the nature of Observer fi le photo La Grande senior Katie Perry was named Greater Oregon League player of the year. the season,” head coach Sam Brown said of La Grande’s bevy of all-league players. “I thought it was an accurate representa- tion of the league.” Perry, a midfi elder and key link-up player, fi nished with seven goals and a team-high 19 assists. “What she brought to the team was an exemplary attitude and work ethic,” Brown said. She was joined on the fi rst team by a trio of offensive threats — sophomore forward Audrey Garlitz, junior forward Cecelia Aguilera and junior midfi elder Lauran Rinker. Gar- litz turned in eye-popping totals on the season, fi nishing with 35 goals and 14 assists. “She had a fantastic season. I look forward to her coming back,” Brown said of the sopho- more. Aguilera added 12 goals and 14 assists, and Rinker had 10 goals and eight assists. “We could have had several players nominated for player of the year,” Brown said. He added that while mul- tiple players put up impressive individual numbers, the Tigers’ success came because of their team play. “We succeeded as a team. We succeeded as a unit. Everybody played a signifi cant role in it,” he said. Seniors Lara Insko and Rachael Keniry, two players who helped anchor the Tigers’ defensive line as they recorded 10 shutouts, were also named to the fi rst team, as was junior midfi elder Taryn Miller. Four additional players were named to the second team. Senior Alexyss Chamberlain, in her fi rst year starting at goalkeeper, earned second- team accolades, as did senior midfi elder Lindsay Adkins, sophomore defender Bethany Brock, and junior forward Starra Ullman. The Powder Valley Badgers shook off a rough fi rst half Thursday and eventually pulled away from the Echo Cougars for a 45-34 win at home in the Badger Tournament. Autumn Davis had 16 points and Josi Krieger added 14 for the Badgers. Wallowa was down 20-15 at the half, then evened the score at 30-30 after three before taking control in the fourth. Powder Valley (3-1 overall) faces Tri-Valley tonight in the Badger Tournament. PANTHERS STRUGGLE IN LOSS The Imbler Panthers struggled offensively Thursday and dropped to 0-4 on the season with a 49-10 loss to Jordan Valley at the Badger Tournament in North Powder. Kenna Whitmore had four points to lead the Panthers, while Kiana Quintero had 21 for the Mustangs, who held a 27-9 lead at the half. Imbler faces Adrian at the Badger Tourna- ment today. COUGARS EKE OUT WIN The Wallowa Cougars nearly squandered a fi ve-point lead Thursday in the late stages of the contest, but held on to edge the Cove Leopards, 34-32, for their fi rst win of the season. Shanna Rae Tillery scored 13 points and Ja- mie Johnston had 12 for Wallowa. The Cougars held a 13-8 lead at the half of the low-scoring contest, and the game was tied at 23-23 after three. Maggie Frisch had 13 points to lead Cove. Wallowa (1-3 overall) faces Enterprise tonight, while Cove (2-2) hosts Pilot Rock Saturday. Boys BADGERS BLAST COUGARS Dominick Grende led a balanced attack with 15 points Thursday as the Powder Valley Badgers ran roughshod over the Echo Cougars, 85-23, at the Badger Tournament. The Badgers put the game away early, quickly taking a double-digit lead after one quarter before racing to an insurmountable 40-10 lead at the half. Roper Bingham added 14 points and Case Ol- son added 12 for Powder Valley (3-1 overall) which faces St. Paul tonight at the Badger Tournament. EAGLES GET BY ADRIAN Chase Murray led four players in double fi gures Thursday with 24 points as the Joseph Eagles secured a 63-52 win over the Adrian Antelopes at the Badger Tournament in North Powder. Hadley Miller added 13 points, Carson Lit- tlepage had 12 and Mason Ferre chipped in with 11 as the four combined for 60 of the Eagles’ 63 points. The Eagles (2-1 overall) face Union today at the Badger Tournament. PANTHERS MISS OUT ON FIRST WIN The Imbler Panthers posted their best of- fensive effort of the season Thursday but fell just short of their fi rst win, losing to Jordan Val- ley, 60-55 at the Badger Tournament in North Powder. Wyatt Frost led the Panthers with 16 points and Jayce Burnette added 12. Nate Bingaman added eight as Panthers had eight players score in the contest. Imbler fell behind 36-27 at the break, but cut the defi cit to 46-42 after three quarters. The Panthers’ comeback effort, though, fell just short. Blaise Warn had 26 points — 18 in the fi rst half — for the Mustangs. Imbler (0-4 overall) faces Adrian today at the Badger Tournament. BALES HAS BIG NIGHT IN WIN Tristin Bales went off for 37 points Thursday — converting 15 fi eld goals — and the Wallowa Cougars distanced themselves in the second half for a 61-44 home win over the Cove Leopards. Quinten Tillery added 10 points and Zeb Her- mens had eight for Wallowa, which held a slim 23-20 lead at the half before pulling ahead 40-28 after three and adding on late. Stuart Patton scored 14 points to lead the Leopards. Chase Tennis added eight and Patrick Frisch scored seven. Wallowa (2-2 overall) visits Enterprise tonight, while Cove (1-3) hosts Pilot Rock Saturday.
