A6 BAKER CITY HERALD • TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 SPORTS BAKER GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUTS MARSHFIELD IN CLASS 4A PLAYOFF GAME Baker ready to return to state tournament BY JAYSON JACOBY jjacoby@bakercityherald.com The Baker girls basketball team has unfinished business at the Class 4A state tourna- ment, and the Bulldogs played like it. With a berth in the tourna- ment on the line Saturday af- ternoon, March 5, in the Baker gym, the Bulldogs scored 20 straight points in the first half and rolled to a 50-20 win over the Marshfield Pirates. Baker’s stifling defense al- lowed the Pirates just four field goals in the game. Marsh- field scored more than half its points — 12 of 20 — from the free throw line. “That’s what we hang our hat on, especially this time of year,” Baker coach Jason Ra- mos said. “That’s how we want to play defense.” The Bulldogs are officially the defending state champions. Baker won the 2019 state ti- tle. The 2020 and 2021 tourna- ments were canceled due to the pandemic. The Bulldogs now travel across the whole of Oregon to open the 2022 tournament on Thursday, March 10, against Corbett at 7 p.m. The site — coincidentally — is Marshfield High School, in Coos Bay. “That was a goal for us this season,” Ramos said. “We’ve achieved that goal and now we’ve got another goal in mind.” Ramos’ daughter, Jozie, was a freshman starter on the 2020 team that was in Forest Grove, preparing to defend its state championship, when officials from the Oregon School Ac- tivities Association, just hours before tip off, canceled the tournament. Jozie Ramos said she still re- members the disappointment of that day nearly two years ago. “It was really hard,” she said. “It was a chance that got taken away from us.” Ramos, who led all scorers with 22 points in Saturday’s win over Marshfield, said she’s excited to finally have a chance to play on the state’s biggest stage. MARSHFIELD (20) Ainsworth 0 1-2 1, Button 0 0-0 0, Hits 0 0-0 0, Clark 0 0-0 0, Peach 0 2-2 2, England 0 2-2 2, Culver 0 0-0 0, Miles 2 2-2 6, Dea 2 3-4 7, Macduff 0 0-2 0, Folau 0 0-4 0, Montiel 0 2-2 2. Totals 4 12-20 20. BAKER (50) Elms 3 0-0 6, Flanagan 1 3-3 5, Wilde 0 0-0 0, Gyllenberg 0 0-0 0, Pierce 0 0-0 0, Ramos 8 5-6 22, Roy 0 0-5 0, Jaca 1 0-0 2, Robb 0 0-0 0, Moore 5 3-4 15, Dalton 0 0-0 0, Thomas 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 11-20 50. Marshfield 4 11 5 0 — 20 Baker 17 7 12 4 — 50 Marshfield’s Charlie Dea ended the run with a pair of free throws, the Pirates’ first points in 6 minutes. After missing their first six free throws, all in the first quar- ter, the Pirates made nine of 10 in the second. But that wasn’t nearly enough to keep pace with the Lisa Britton/Baker City Herald Bulldogs, who were efficient on Macey Moore looks for space against Marshfield on Saturday, March offense throughout. “Our execution was good,” 5, 2022, in the Baker gym. Moore had 15 points in Baker’s 50-20 play- Jason Ramos said. “We were off win. making the extra passes and knocking down some shots when we had them.” He said the Bulldogs prac- ticed extensively against Marshfield’s 1-3-1 zone de- fense. Jozie Ramos’ runner gave her 16 points in the first half and increased Baker’s lead to 34-15 at the break. She said Baker’s 20-0 run was triggered by defense. “We have a lot of confidence Lisa Britton/Baker City Herald in our defense,” she said. “Our Makenzie Flanagan goes to the basket against Marshfield’s Kate Miles defense generates offense. on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in the Baker gym. That’s kind of our identity.” Moore had 12 points in the “For them to come out and step up to that Lisa Britton/Baker City Herald first half and 15 for the game. Baker’s Taylor Gyllenberg defends Marshfield’s Charlie Dea during the Rylee Elms added 6 points and challenge just shows that we’re ready to take Makenzie Flanagan had 5. Bulldogs’ 50-20 win in a playoff game on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in that next step.” Jason Ramos said Bak- the Baker gym. er’s powerful performance in — Baker coach Jason Ramos in less than 2 minutes, culmi- a playoff game, with a state basket to tie the score at 4 tournament berth on the line, nating with a 3-pointer that with 4:32 left in the quarter, bodes well. pushed Baker’s lead to 16-4. Baker dominated. “And to get to do it with urday’s playoff rout started “For them to come out and Baker’s streak extended Macey Moore started the people I’ve played with my midway through the first step up to that challenge just into the second period. Ra- run with a 3-pointer. whole life, since I started quarter. Then Jozie Ramos took mos’ free throw with 6:21 left shows that we’re ready to take After Marshfield’s Kate playing basketball,” she said. that next step,” he said. over, scoring the next 9 points gave Baker a 24-4 lead. The decisive stretch in Sat- Miles scored on a rebound March 26-27 Saturday 9:00 am–5:00 pm Sunday 9:00 am–3:00 pm DESCHUTES COUNT Y FAIR & EXPO CENTER REDMOND • OREGON PRESENTED BY PASSENGER/LT/SUV TIRES TOURING A/S PASSENGER ALL-SEASON TIRE OUR BEST PASSENGER ALL-SEASON TIRE OUR BEST ALL-TERRAIN TIRE ROAD CONTROL REPUTATION OPEN RANGE A/T ALL-SEASON TREAD SMOOTH, QUIET RIDE SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE QUIET RIDE SUPERIOR BRAKING QUIET RIDE 5 Buck Breakfast SAT. MORNING 8–10 WINTER TIRES While supplies last Sponsored by McDonalds All proceeds to benefit Perfect Balance KIDS’ ZONE PROJECTS AND FUN ACTIVITIES ALL THINGS AGRICULTURE STUDDABLE WINTER PASSENGER/LT/SUV TIRE STUDLESS WINTER PASSENGER/SUV TIRE HIMALAYA OBSERVE GSI-5 WINTERCAT ENHANCED GRIP EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE SMOOTH RIDE INCREASED STABILITY ADVANCED WINTER TRACTION TREAD PATTERNS MAY VARY STUDDABLE WINTER PASSENGER/LT/SUV TIRE TREAD PATTERNS MAY VARY Clint Johnson Working Dog Demonstrations SAT. 11–NOON • SUN. 10–11 Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Display with Demonstrations TIRE CHAINS Feel more confident driving in winter conditions with a set of tire chains. We can help you get the right set of chains for your vehicle, and if you happen to not need them, we offer a full refund. For instructions on how to install chains, text CHAINS to 52225. VIEW PRICES AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT LESSCHWAB.COM LEW BROS TIRE (541) 523-3679 210 Bridge St., Baker City, OR 97814