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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2016)
Polk County Sports WESTERN OREGON MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13 Girls basketball: Central at Dallas, 7 p.m. Wrestling: South Albany at Central, 7 p.m. Dallas at Woodburn, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, JAN. 14 Men’s basketball: West- ern Oregon at Simon Fraser, 7 p.m. FRIDAY, JAN. 15 Boys basketball: Central at Crescent Valley, 7 p.m. Dallas at South Albany, 7 p.m. C.S. Lewis at Falls City, 7 p.m. Crosshill Christian at Perrydale, p.m. Girls basketball: Cres- cent Valley at Central, 7 p.m. South Albany at Dallas, 7 p.m. C.S. Lewis at Falls City, 5:30 p.m. Crosshill Christian at Perrydale, 5:30 p.m. Wrestling: Central at Oregon Wrestling Classic, TBA. SATURDAY, JAN. 16 Men’s basketball: West- ern Oregon at Western Washington, 7 p.m. Women’s basketball: Montana State Billings at Western Oregon, 2 p.m. Wrestling: Central at Oregon Wrestling Classic, TBA. Dallas at Southridge, 10 a.m. Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 13, 2016 10A Avgi thriving as leader of the pack By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Playing in front of more than 1,000 fans, Western Oregon’s men’s basketball team de- f e a t e d Saint Mar- tin’s 74-61 on Satur- day. T h e g a m e , which was Omlid televised on Root Sports, came on the heels of a 96-90 overtime win over Seattle Pacific on Thursday. Senior Andy Avgi scored 34 points against Seattle Pa- cific and 24 points against the Saints as the Wolves ex- tended their win streak to three games. “I love it when the fans come out,” Avgi said. “It definitely pumps us up and helps with the energy a lot.” Avgi, the reigning Great Northwest Athletic Confer- ence Player of the Year, has once against stepped into a leading role for the Wolves. He entered the week second in the conference in scoring and has added a new dimen- sion to his game — the out- side shot. “I’m playing outside a lot more,” Avgi said. “It helps draw them out, then I can go back in the paint and flip flop. It throws them off bal- ance.” Avgi is a big reason why WOU entered the week with a 12-2 record overall. This year, the Wolves have risen to the challenge of being one of the conference’s front run- ners. See AVGI, Page 11A LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon senior Andy Avgi (32) attempts to save a loose ball on Saturday. PERRYDALE BOYS BASKETBALL TUESDAY, JAN. 19 Boys basketball: Lebanon at Central, 7 p.m. Corvallis at Dallas, 7 p.m. Willamette Valley Christian at Falls City, 7 p.m. Jewell at Perrydale, 7 p.m. Girls basketball: Willamette Valley Christian at Falls City, 5:30 p.m. Jewell at Perrydale, 5:30 p.m. Leaving a mark Senior’s faith gives him new motivation WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20 Girls basketball: Central at Lebanon, 7 p.m. Dallas at Corvallis, 7 p.m. Wrestling: South Albany at Dallas, 6 p.m. — By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer PERRYDALE — Since starting the season 0-3, Perrydale’s boys basketball team has turned things around. The Pirates have won nine of their last 10 games, includ- ing victories over Falls City (62-26), Southwest Christian (51-48) and St. John Bosco (54-26) last week. Two seniors, Spencer Bibler and Devin Cruickshank, find themselves at the center of Perrydale’s resurgence. Schedules Subject to Change QUICK HITS Spencer Bibler Bibler, 17, has a tattoo he proudly displays on his left arm. Unlike some, his has a special, life-changing meaning. Bibler has always loved sports — especially basketball and football. During his junior year, doctors discovered a tumor on his pituitary gland, which helps control growth and development. Doctors needed to perform surgery. “The toughest experience was initially getting told that I had (the tumor),” Bibler said. “That meant no football.” See MARK, Page 12A Cross Creek to host tournament PERRYDALE — Cross Creek Golf Course will host the 14th annual Brockway Memorial Golf Tournament on Feb. 6. The two-person scramble will begin at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $45 and includes green fees, hole prizes and tee prizes. A player does not need a handicap. The tourna- ment is open to men, women and mixed teams. The tournament is dedi- cated to Marius “Brock” Brockway, who died in 2013. A portion of each entry will be dedicated to the OGA Junior tournaments held each year at Cross Creek. For more information or to sign up: 503-623-6666. Registration and pay- ment must be received by Feb. 4. STAT SHEET 5 The number of wins in a row Perrydale’s girls basketball team has racked up. The Pirates’ last loss came on Dec. 22. Perrydale en- tered the week in second place in the Casco League. 1 The number of wins Dallas’ and Central’s girls basketball teams had against each other last season. The rivals play Wednesday (today) at 7 p.m. www.polkio.com LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Perrydale senior Spencer Bibler began the season on the bench, but has earned a role in the Pirates’ starting lineup. DALLAS WRESTLING DALLAS GIRLS BASKETBALL Upholding the legacy Dragons look for identity in league By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — In the world of Dallas wrestling, the Duna- gans have made their mark. Jack, a 2012 graduate, qualified for state during his senior season. Scotty, a 2014 graduate, placed fourth at state during his senior year. Now, senior Jeff Dunagan hopes to cement his status a m o n g s t h i s f a m i l y ’s wrestling accomplishments. “No t m a k e m y ow n name, but I want to live up to how my brothers did,” Dunagan said. “I want to keep the family tradition going.” Dunagan has been a life- long wrestler, beginning in the second or third grade. “I love wrestling,” Duna- By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Jeff Dunagan looks to gain an edge on Saturday. The senior placed fourth in the 160-pound class. gan said. “There’s nothing like it. I’ve grown up watch- ing Scotty and Jack. They both wrestled through high school. It’s a family thing.” See LEGACY, Page 12A DALLAS — Entering its Mid-Willamette Conference opener, Dallas’ girls basket- ball team wanted to make a statement. The Dragons defeated Woodburn 51-37 on Thurs- day — a victory that showed a new attitude and what will likely determine just how far the team can advance. “We knew Woodburn was a better team than last year,” sophomore Tristan Savage said. “We had to bring the intensity and re- bound and just be a little bit scrappier.” Dallas, which lost a make- www.facebook.com/pages/Polk-County-Itemizer-Observer/205062686252209 DALLAS 121 Main St • 503-623-8155 • www.LesSchwab.com INDEPENDENCE 1710 Monmouth St • 503-838-6340 Mon -Fri 8am - 6pm • Sat 8am - 5pm up game at Mountain View 35-31 on Friday, used the full-cour t press right from the opening tip Savage against the Bulldogs. The result was a swarm- ing defense that rarely al- lowed Woodburn to get comfortable in their offen- sive sets — but in a game where more than 60 fouls were called, Dragons coach David Brautigam said play- ers must learn to stay in control. See IDENTITY, Page 12A www.twitter.com/PolkIOSports
