Page 6C 3A/4A BASKETBALL East Oregonian 3A EASTERN OREGON LEAGUE T he Umatilla Vikings owned the Eastern Oregon League last season, winning eight of the nine league games on their way to a sixth place fi nish at the 3A state tournament. However the league could be up for grabs as Umatilla must replace four of its fi ve starters, while teams like Nyssa and Vale return numerous all-league players. Also in the mix for the league’s two automatic playoff berths is Burns and Irrigon, who were postseason teams at the Class 2A level one year ago. Projected Finish 2015-16 Final Standings Vale Burns Nyssa Umatilla Riverside Irrigon EOL Conf. Ovr. Umatilla* 8-1 23-6 Nyssa* 6-3 17-10 Vale 3-6 13-12 Riverside 0-9 3-18 *made postseason (Rankings based on coach and media votes) Umatilla Vikings Head coach: Scott Bow, 9th year Returning starters: Aleesha Watson (All-EOL 1st team), G, sr. Other returners: Lauryn Jurnot, G, so. Newcomers: Ana Maldonado, G, sr.; Jackie Ortega, G, sr.; Celeste Rodriguez, G, jr.; Katelyn Lorence, G, jr.; Charlene Alverez, G, so.; Christy Macias, G, so. On offense: Bow will let score, opponent and available personnel determine the Vikings’ offensive tactics. “Prepared for all.” On defense: The Vikings will switch between full- court man-to-man and zone depending who’s on the court. Bow’s expectations: “We have a new varsity team and we will bring the Umatilla tradition of strategic defense to each game.” 2015-16: 23-6, 8-1 EOL (Umatilla won the league title 38-21 over Nyssa. The Vikings the advanced to the fi nal bracket in North Bend where they placed fourth with a 41-39 win over Portland Adventist.) 2016-17 Schedule Dec. 2 vs. Colton L 35-40 Dec. 3 vs. Chemawa W 39-36 Dec. 8 vs. Mac-Hi** 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Umatilla** 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Umatilla** 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Union*** TBD Dec. 16 at Union*** TBD Dec. 17 at Union*** TBD Dec. 23 vs. River View 2 p.m. Dec. 28 at Salem Acad. TBD Dec. 29 at Salem Acad. TBD Dec. 30 at Salem Acad. TBD Jan. 3 at Stanfi eld 5:45 p.m. Jan. 10 vs. W-McEwen Jan. 14 at Irrigon* Jan. 17 at Riverside* Jan. 20 vs. Burns* Jan. 21 vs. Nyssa* Jan. 27 at Burns* Jan. 31 vs. Irrigon* Feb. 3 at Nyssa* Feb. 4 at Vale* Feb. 10 vs. Riverside* Feb. 11 vs. Vale* 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. *-denotes league game **-Columbia River Clash Tournament at Umatilla High School. ***-Union Holiday Tournament. Wednesday, December 7, 2016 4A GREATER OREGON LEAGUE Mac-Hi Pioneers Boys Head coach: Jordon Poyner, 3rd year Assistant coaches: Tyler Mitchell, 1st year; Mark Michaud, 3rd year. Returning starters: Luis Garcia (All-GOL HM), G, jr.; Alex Delgado, G, jr.; Other returners: Adrian Martinez, G, jr.; Robert Walton, P, sr.; Miguel Garcia, F, sr.. Newcomers: Michael Armenta, G/F, sr.; Alec Earls (transfer from Rainier, Ore.), G, sr.; Austin Leonetti, G, sr.; Jesus Vela, F, jr.; Gabe Podolski, F, jr; Alexis Pios, G, so.; Zach Hodgen, F, so. Poyner’s expectations: “I have high expectations for this young group of players. We have guys with 2016-17 Schedule Dec. 2 vs. College Pl. Dec. 3 vs. Touchet Dec. 6 vs. Waitsburg Dec. 8 at Umatilla Dec. 9 at Umatilla** Dec. 10 at Umatilla** Dec. 13 at DeSales Dec. 16 at Pilot Rock*** Dec. 17 at Pilot Rock*** Dec. 19 at W.-McE. Dec. 20 at Irrigon Dec. 29 at Irrigon Invite Dec. 30 at Irrigon Invite Jan. 5 at Riverside Jan. 7 vs. Ontario* Jan. 10 at Hood River Jan. 14 at Baker* Jan. 17 vs. The Dalles Jan. 24 at Touchet Jan. 28 at Ontario* Jan. 31 vs. La Grande* Feb. 3 at Baker* Feb. 10 at La Grande* *denotes league game T he La Grande Tigers and Baker Bulldogs had a grasp on the top spots in the GOL for boys and girls one year ago, and all four squads are expected to do so again this year. The Mac-Hi Pioneer boys have the makings of a team that could surprise people, while the Pioneer girls may take a step back. The league has just one playoff berth, but two play-in spots. W 47-43 W 37-32 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. TBD TBD 7:30 p.m. TBD TBD 6:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBD TBD 7:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Projected GOL Boys Finish La Grande Baker Mac-Hi Ontario La Grande Baker Mac-Hi Ontario (Rankings based on coach and media votes) (Rankings based on coach and media votes) 2015-16 Boys Final Standings GOL Conf. Overall Baker* 6-0 14-11 La Grande* 4-2 10-10 Ontario 0-6 7-17 Mac-Hi 2-4 7-17 some varsity experience and they play well together. I’m excited to see what they can do as a team.” 2015-16 season: 7-17, 2-4 GOL. Mac-Hi Pioneers Girls Head coach: Brooke Garton, 2nd year Assistant coaches: Nicole Christian, 3rd year; Tim Hutchison, 2nd year. Returning starters: Sydney Richwine (All-GOL 1st team), P, sr.; Brooke Smiley (All-GOL HM), P, sr. Other returners: McKenna Yensen, P. jr.; Brianna Hernandez, W, jr.; Becca Jones, G, jr. Newcomers: Cynthia Flores, W, sr.; Chelsey Holford, P, sr.; Melissa Martinez, G, jr.; Hannah Hair, W/P, jr.; Kayla Casillas, G, so.; Sydney Earls, G/W, so. On offense: Garton said the team will vary its offensive attack based on whether it’s seeing a man-to-man or zone defense. On defense: The Pioneers are hoping to be known as a tough defensive team, and will switch between man-to-man and zone within games. Garton’s expectations: “We expect to come out and play tough each and every game. Our goal is to fi nish in the top two in our district this year. The team has many players that can play in various positions on the fl oor, so it should be fun to see the different combinations of players that can be put together to best match up with our opponents.” 2015-16: 13-12, 2-4 GOL (The Pioneers were third at districts after a 58-37 loss to Baker, and their season ended in the state play-in round with a 71-33 loss to Valley Catholic.) Projected GOL Girls Finish *made postseason 2015-16 Girls Final Standings GOL Conf. Overall La Grande* 6-0 20-6 Baker* 4-2 13-13 Mac-Hi 2-4 13-12 Ontario 0-6 2-18 *made postseason 2016-17 Schedule Dec. 2 vs. College Pl. L 34-37 Dec. 3 vs. Riverside L 18-45 Dec. 6 vs. Waitsburg 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at Umatilla 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Umatilla** TBD Dec. 10 at Umatilla** TBD Dec. 13 at DeSales 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at Pilot Rock* TBD Dec. 17 at Pilot Rock* TBD Dec. 19 at W.-McEw. 4 p.m. Dec. 20 at Irrigon 3 p.m. Dec. 29 at Irrigon*** TBD Dec. 30 at Irrigon*** TBD Jan. 5 at Riverside 6 p.m. Jan. 7 vs. Ontario* 3 p.m. Jan. 10 at Hood River 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at Baker* 3 p.m. Jan. 24 at Touchet 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at Ontario* 4 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. La Grande* 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at Baker* 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at La Grande* 6 p.m. *denotes league game **-Columbia River Clash tournament at Umatilla High School. ***-Irrigon Invitational. Riverside Pirates Head coach: Clair Costello, 1st year Assistant coach: Richard Moore, 1st year Returning starters: Lacey Mashos, G, sr. (All-EOL 2nd team); Abby Hernandez, P, jr.; Skylar Wightman, G, jr. Other returning lettermen: Alondra Caldera, G, so. (All-EOL HM); Estrella Daltoso, W, so.; Brendy Avalos, G, so. Impact newcomer: Faith Rosen, P, so. 2016-17 Schedule Nov. 30 at White Salmon W 52-30 Dec. 2 vs. Touchet (WA) L 39-30 Dec. 3 vs. Mac-Hi W 45-18 Dec. 7 at W. Walla Vall. 6 p.m. Dec. 9 vs. Tri-City Prep (WA) 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at Helix 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 vs. W.-McEwen 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at Stanfi eld** TBD Dec. 17 at Stanfi eld** TBD Dec. 19 vs. White Salmon 4 p.m. Dec. 29 vs. Ione 4 p.m. Dec. 30 vs. Stevenson 4 p.m. On offense: Costello’s vision for the Pirates’ offense includes lots of screens to free up shooters. On defense: The Pirates will run man-to-man, relying on speed to make up the difference when they’re up against larger opponents. Costello’s expectations: “We will be better, give other teams a great game every time out.” 2015-16 Season: 3-18, 0-9 EOL (The Pirates lost their last 10 games). Jan. 5 vs. Mac-Hi Jan. 13 vs. Irrigon* Jan. 14 at Burns* Jan. 17 vs. Umatilla* Jan. 20 vs. Nyssa* Jan. 21 vs. Vale* Jan. 27 at Nyssa* Jan. 28 at Vale* Feb. 3 at Irrigon* Feb. 4 vs. Burns* Feb. 7 at Baker Feb. 10 at Umatilla *-denotes league game 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 3 p.m. 5 p.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. Irrigon Knights Head coach: Mike Royer, 3rd year Assistant coach: Jody Saunders, 2nd year Returning starters: Jada Burns, G, jr.; Lily Mills, F, sr.; Taylor Davis, F, jr.; Ana Zacarias, G, soph. Other returners: Natalie Romero, G, soph.; Brianna Rice, G, soph. Other seniors: Kayla Gilman, G; Courtny Case, F. Newcomers: Kylie Wyant, F, jr. (transfer from Hermiston); Olivia Luna, G, jr. On offense: The Knights struggled to fi nd options outside of Burns on offense last year, but with more experience on the court this season look to be more balanced while running an up-tempo scheme. Royer’s expectations: “Moving up to 3A will be a challenge, but we fi nished the season strong last year and I feel like we’re carrying some momentum into this season. The girls are playing with some confi dence and they’re excited to get started.” 2015-16: 11-13, 5-5 CBC (The Knights entered the district tournament as a third seed, but beat Weston-McEwen 46-43 for the district title to earn the program’s fi rst state playoff game ever. They lost on the road to Kennedy 38-28.) 2016-17 Schedule Jan. 3 at W.-McEwen 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at Riverside* 6 p.m. Jan. 14 vs. Umatilla* 1 p.m. Jan. 20 vs. Vale* 3 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Burns* 3 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Riverside* 3 p.m. Jan. 31 at Umatilla* 3 p.m. Feb. 3 at Vale* 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at Nyssa* Noon Feb. 10 vs. Nyssa* 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at Burns* 5 p.m. Nov. 30 vs. Stanfi eld W 56-9 Dec. 2 vs. Enterprise W 29-27 Dec. 3 vs. W.-McEw. L 43-41 Dec. 6 vs. W.-McEw. 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Heppner 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at Grant Un. 6 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. Yak. Tribal 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at Lib. Christian 3 p.m. Dec. 20 vs. Mac-Hi 3 p.m. Dec. 29 Irrigon Invite TBD Dec. 30 Irrigon Invite TBD *-denotes league game ! s are #1 g Mustan “Something from the Jewelers is always something special.” HEPPNER • 541-676-9200 Mon-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm GOOD LUCK MUSTANGS! M urray’s Drug INC. Serving Heppner, Lexington, Ione and Condon Since 1959 217 N. M AIN • H EPPNER 541-676-9158 G O M USTANGS ! C OLUMBIA B ASIN E LECTRIC C O -O P Fossil • Condon Heppner • Ione Lexington Heppner 541-676-9146 Condon 541-384-2023 GO MUSTANGS! Les Schwab Tire Center 541-676-9481 • Heppner Mac-Hi Go Pioneers! S upporting the Mi lton F reewater S choolS 614 N Main St. Milton-Freewater OR, 97862 (541) 938-6604 Work har d & Dream Big Weston-McEwen Seaquist real estate 613 N. Main Street Milton Freewater, OR 541-938-5162 www.saagershoeshop.com GO PIONEERS! (541) 938-3331 725 S. Main Street Milton-Freewater, Oregon Walla Walla General Hospital Su p p o r tin g M a c H i P io n e e r s! Supporting o our Milton Freewater Schools S ls 541-938- 6 22 6 5 S. Main, Milton-Freewater OR 97862 Mon - Thurs 8am - 8pm Fri - Sat 8am - 9pm Dr Benjamin B S. Winters 117 S. Main St. Milton-Freewater t 541-938-5888 BECAUSE YOUR HEART DOESN’T JUST BELONG TO YOU. People care a lot about you. That’s a good reason to care about your heart health. Home is where the heart care is. To fi nd out more visit WWGH.com/heart Supporting Our Local Schools Good Luck Pioneers! ERS!” E N O I P O G “ The City of Milton Freewater Supports Mac Hi Pioneers 2801 S T . A NTHONY W AY , P ENDLETON , OR 97801 WWW . SAHPENDLETON . ORG e g th s! n i t eer por Sup i Pion H Mac (541) 938-5507 609 E Broadway Ave Milton Freewater, OR