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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2017)
4A/3A BOYS BASKETBALL Wednesday, December 6, 2017 4A GREATER OREGON LEAGUE T he La Grande Tigers went undefeated in league play in 2016 and were on their way to have a deep playoff run, but a four-point loss ended their season in Round 1. Improvements from Ontario and Baker could make for an interesting season with only one playoff spot up for grabs. 3A EASTERN OREGON LEAGUE PROJECTED FINISH Umatilla Vikings Irrigon Knights Nyssa Bulldogs Burns Hilanders Vale Vikings Riverside Pirates U matilla controlled the league a year ago by claiming both the regular season title and district title over Irrigon. The Vikings, led by defending EOL player of the Year Kaden Webb, and Knights expect to battle it out again this year, though Burns and Nyssa could make a run at one of the two playoff spots. Umatilla Vikings Head coach: Scott Bow, 1st season (10th season, previous nine coaching girls) Assistant coaches: Shann West, 4th season; Dan Durfey, 4th season 2016-17 season: Under former head coach Derrek Lete, the Vikings finished last season 17-8 overall and 8-2 in league play. Umatilla made it to Round 1 of the playoffs but suffered a 66-40 loss to Horizon Christian, Tualatin. Returning starters: Kaden Webb, sr.; Seth Cranston, sr.; Sebastian Garcia, jr.; Trent Durfey, jr. Other returning players that earned varsity letters: Moises Garcilazo, sr.; Gio Armenta, sr.; 2016-17 FINAL STANDINGS League Overall La Grande 6-0 19-3 Ontario 4-2 11-10 Baker 2-4 9-16 Mac-Hi 0-6 6-14 RETURNING ALL-LEAGUE La Grande — Andrew Peasley, sr.; G.T. Blackman, sr.; Kaden Chandler, jr. Ontario — Adam Hawker, sr. Mac-Hi — Luis Garcia, sr. Staff photo by E.J. Harris In this 2017 file photo, Umatilla’s Trent Durfey shoots the ball over Irrigon’s Austin Rice in the Vikings’ 61-59 win against the Knights in Umatilla. Head coach: Jordon Poyner Assistant coaches: Travis Crittenden, Tyler Mitchell 2016-17 sea- son: Mac-Hi finished last season 6-14 overall and 0-6 in the Great- er Oregon League. Returning starters: Alexis Pio, G, jr.; Luis Garcia, G, sr. Other returners: Alex Delgado, G, sr. Zach Hodgen, F, jr; Adrian Martinez, G, sr. 2017-18 SCHEDULE Nov. 30 at Stanfield W 73-43 Dec. 1 vs. Weston-McEwen% W 64-43 Dec. 2 vs. Enterprise % W 49-36 Dec. 5 vs. Weston-McEwen 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 vs. Imbler& 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9 vs. Mac-Hi& 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12 vs. Heppner 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Union 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. Lib. Christ. (WA) 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Mac-Hi 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. Stanfield 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 vs. Waitsburg (WA) 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 vs. Pilot Rock 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Vale* 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9 vs. Riverside* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 25 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 8 Feb. 10 at Burns* 5 p.m. vs. Nyssa* 7:30 p.m. vs. Vale* 3 p.m. at Irrigon* 7:30 p.m. vs. Riverside* 7:30 p.m. at Nyssa* 6:30 p.m. at Vale* 3:30 p.m. at Riverside* 7:30 p.m. vs. Burns* 6:30 p.m. *-league game %-at Amity Jan. 12 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 23 Jan. 25 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 9 at Umatilla* vs. Burns* vs. Nyssa* at Riverside* vs. Umatilla* at Burns* at Nyssa* vs. Vale* 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. *-league game %-played at Ione High School &-played at Heppner HS Head coach: Davie Salas, 2nd season Assistant coaches: Eric Solis (JV), 3rd sea- son; Michael Swanson, 1st season 2016-17 season: 15-9 overall, 7-3 EOL (2nd), lost to Salem Academy 82-57 in first round of 3A playoffs Returning starters: Daniel Vera, G, sr.; Johnny Phillips, F, sr.; Lino Covarrubia, G, jr. Other starters: Abe Gomez, G, sr.; Keith Fleming, F, jr.; Adrian Roa, G, sr.; Omar Vera, G, sr.; Eric Carillo, G, sr. Other seniors: Jesus Sandoval, Peyton Holcomb. Salas’ expectations: “To compete in every game we play in to the best of our ability. Our team goal is to compete for a league title and make a run at state.” Riverside Pirates 2017-18 SCHEDULE Head coach: Clair Costello, 26th season 2016-17 season: 6-14 over- all, 2-8 Eastern Oregon League (5th) Returning starters: Felix Apari- cio, P, sr.; Danny Rodriguez, W, sr.; Mason Hegar, P, sr. Other returners: Johan Pena, G, soph.; Mario Madrigal, G, jr. Other players to watch: Cris- tian Rea, G, soph.; Francisco Chavez, G, soph. Impact newcomers: Francisco Barajas, G, fr. Costello’s expectations: With eight returning varsity players, Riverside’s expectations are fairly high this year. “The EOL is a tough league top to bottom,” Costello said, “we need to be ready to battle every week.” Mac-Hi Pioneers GIRLS BASKETBALL 4A GREATER OREGON LEAGUE Head coach: Brooke Garton Michaud, 3rd season Assistant coaches: Nicole Christian (JV), 3rd season; Tim Hutchinson (C), 3rd season 2016-17 season review: 1-18 overall, 0-6 GOL (4th) Returning starters: Melissa Martinez, G, sr.; Becca Jones, G, T he Baker Bulldogs put together a perfect run in the Greater Oregon League a season ago on their way to an appearance in the 4A state tournament. With only two seniors gone, the Bulldogs are a team to watch for again, with La Grande expected to be on their heels. sr.; Brianna Hernandez, G, sr.; McKenna Yensen, P, sr. Other returners: Sydney Earls, W/G, jr.; Kayla Casillas, G/W, jr.; Hannah Hair, P, sr. Other seniors: Anahi Castillo, P, sr. Impact newcomers: Victoria Garcia, P, so.; Courtney Breeding, G, so.; Jacqueline Hernandez, W, so. Nov. 29 Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 9 Dec. 12 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 19 Dec. 21 Dec. 30 Jan. 2 Jan. 5 Jan. 9 Jan. 15 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 23 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 8 Feb. 10 at White Salmon vs. College Place (WA) vs. Prescott (WA) vs. Pilot Rock (at Umatilla) at Umatilla Tournament at Umatilla Tournament at Weston-McEwen at Stanfield at Stanfield Tournament vs. White Salmon (WA) vs. McLoughlin at Stevenson (WA) vs. Pilot Rock at Nyssa* at Irrigon* vs. Stanfield vs. Vale* vs. Burns* vs. Irrigon* at Umatilla* at Vale* at Burns* vs. Umatilla* vs. Nyssa* L 68-65 L 60-33 W 38-33 3:30 p.m. TBD TBD 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. TBD 5:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. *-league game 2017-18 SCHEDULE Dec. 1 vs. Helix L 54-30 Dec. 2 vs. College Place(WA) L 65-38 Dec. 5 at Waitsburg (WA) 6 p.m. Dec. 7 vs. Stanfield% 3:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Heppner 6 p.m. Dec. 9 vs. Irrigon 1 p.m. Dec. 12 vs. Enterprise 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Con./Wheeler# 3 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Enterprise# 1 p.m. Dec. 19 vs. Irrigon 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at Riverside 4 p.m. Dec. 28 vs. Pilot Rock$ TBD Dec. 29 vs. Liberty Christ. (WA) 3 p.m. Jan. 4 at Enterprise 5:30 p.m. 2016-17 FINAL STANDINGS League Overall Baker 6-0 19-3 La Grande 4-2 11-10 Ontario 2-4 5-17 Mac-Hi 0-6 1-18 Jan. 6 vs. Baker* Jan. 9 vs. Weston-McEwen Jan. 12 at La Grande* Jan. 16 vs. DeSales (WA) Jan. 20 at Ontario* Jan. 24 vs. Waitsburg (WA) Jan. 27 at Baker* Jan. 30 vs. Touchet (WA) Feb. 3 vs. La Grande* Feb. 8 vs. Elgin Feb. 10 vs. Ontario* 3 p.m. 6 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. 3 p.m. *-league game %-at Umatilla High School #-at Pilot Rock Hight School $-at Irrigon High School H I T TH E C O U R TS! With eleven offices in Northeastern Oregon, our experienced agents can offer insurance programs in the following areas: • Business • Industrial • Service Organization • Farm & Crop • Health & Life • Personal • Worker’s Compensation 455 E. Main St., Hermiston • 541-567-8834 • www.wheatlandins.com Luke Swanson Steve Bertelson Alecia Funk Wendy Snyder Kelsi Putman Dallas Bolen Michelle Jurcich GOL District Tournament • First round - Feb. 13 (#4 at #3 seed). • Semifinals - Feb 15 (Round 1 winner at #2) • Finals - Feb. 17 (Semis winner at #1 seed) Dec. 1 vs. Riverdale W 50-30 Dec. 2 at Veronia W 57-46 Dec. 7 vs. Union 7 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Gervais% 4:45 p.m. Dec. 18 at Heppner 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 vs. Pilot Rock 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Nixyaawii 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2 vs. Kennewick (WA) 7 p.m. Jan. 4 vs. Stanfield 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 vs. Irrigon* 7:30 p.m. Irrigon Knights 2017-18 SCHEDULE PROJECTED FINISH Baker Bulldogs La Grande Tigers Ontario Tigers Mac-Hi Pioneers Uriel Garcia, jr.; Shane Hartung, jr. Other seniors: Lucas Miller, Jose Garcia Transfers or varsity newcomers expected to make an impact: Chris- tian De Loera, jr. (Irrigon) Bow’s expectations: The team’s goals are to repeat as the league champs and compete at the final eight tournament in Coos Bay. Offensively, “with a deep bench this year, we will be pushing the ball up the floor with a bunch of transition offense,” Bow said. On defense, the boys “will focus most of our attention on putting pressure on the ball and taking teams out of their comfort zone.” 2017-18 SCHEDULE Mac-Hi Pioneers *-league game %-Played at Pilot Rock High School. Page 5C 2016-17 FINAL STANDINGS League Overall Umatilla 8-2 17-8 Irrigon 7-3 15-9 Burns 6-4 14-10 Nyssa 5-5 8-13 Riverside 2-8 6-14 Vale 2-8 4-18 (Rankings based on coach and media votes) PROJECTED FINISH La Grande Tigers Ontario Tigers Baker Bulldogs Mac-Hi Pioneers Dec. 1 vs. Prescott(WA) W 57-35 Dec. 2 vs. College Place(WA) W 44-32 Dec. 5 at Waitsburg(WA) 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Heppner 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Heppner Tourn. 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12 vs. Enterprise 7 p.m. Dec. 15 vs. Con./Wheeler% 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Enterprise% 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19 vs. Irrigon 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Riverside 5:30 p.m. Jan. 4 at Enterprise 7 p.m. Jan. 6 vs. Baker* 4:30 p.m. Jan. 9 vs. Weston-McEwen 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at La Grande* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 vs. The Dalles TBD Jan. 20 at Ontario* 4:30 p.m. Jan. 22 vs. DeSales(WA) 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 vs. Waitsburg(WA) 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 vs. Baker* 4:30 p.m. Feb. 3 vs. La Grande* 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10 vs. Ontario* 4:30 p.m. East Oregonian SERVING THE NEEDS OF UMATILLA & MORROW COUNTIES Hermiston, LLC HERM ISTON : 320 S. Hw y 395 541-564-0888 IRRIGON : BOARDM AN : 170 Col. River Hw y 2 M arine Dr. #104 541-481-2888