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A18 Sports Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, March 7, 2018 STATE Continued from Page A13 Prairie City was able to cash in on some defensive re- bounds and a steal in the third, and Holman blocked one of John Keeler’s jump shots. The Panthers scored 18 to Pacific’s 12, but the Pirates held on with a 61-47 lead. Prairie City subbed in some younger players in the final minute of the fourth, and Brandon Horrell brought down a defensive rebound and Jayden Winegar scored 2 points for the Panthers in the final 30 seconds of the game. Wilson was named Prai- rie City’s Player of the Game with 14 points. Jack Lehnherr, at 6-foot- 9, was a force for Pacific and was Player of the Game for the Pirates with 12 points. For the Eagle/Cheryl Hoefler Pacific Pirate John Keeler (34) passes the ball as Prairie City Panthers Syd Holman (23) and Lucas McKinley are ready on defense during Saturday’s final game at the OSAA 1A State Championships at Baker High School. “That guy was tough and could play ball — he wasn’t just big,” Workman said, add- ing, “It was a very good team. We knew we were going to have trouble with them, and we did.” Workman said his team had a successful year. “I was thinking we were go- ing to be contenders all year,” he said. “They played together well, and it was a fun year.” Workman said teamwork continued to make the differ- ence this year. “They just work well to- gether,” he said. “The older kids are already on the same page — they already know where the other guy’s going to be, and Dorran, he knows where they’re going to be be- fore they get there. He plays very smart basketball.” Wilson, as the sole Panther senior, will leave big shoes to fill, the coach said, but he add- ed the team is only going to be better, and bigger. Six out of the 12 team members are freshmen, and Workman said he expected them to step up this year, and they did — “especially De- clan Zweygardt, Jojari Field and Jayden Winegar.” Burke, Holman and Charles Lawrence will return as seniors next season. Burke said the state cham- pionship was an “intense ex- perience.” He said beating Sherman, the team that won the state title last year, was es- pecially rewarding. “It was amazing, every- body was getting involved, and everybody was contrib- uting equally, two or three getting rebounds and two or three assisting,” Burke said. “You usually don’t see that anymore. Usually it’s one- man show.” He added, “We wanted it bad, and we had to push through, and we knew we could do it. We were com- posed, ready to do it and con- fident in ourselves.” Field said it was great to play against seasoned teams and having a big crowd to cheer them on. “I feel like with this great experience and that next year, when we play against good teams, I won’t be as nervous, and I’ll be more prepared,” he said. “I’m really proud of all my team members this year, and I know we’ll be right back at it next year.” GIRLS Continued from Page A13 Contributed photos/Tanni Wenger Photography The Grant Union boys basketball team poses with its sixth-place trophy from the OSAA 2A Boys Basketball State Championship Saturday in Pendleton. BOYS Continued from Page A13 against Kennedy, earning 13 points with one steal, one block and six rebounds. “Taking sixth wasn’t the goal, but it was fun to go over with the team and play the last three games with them,” Zack Deiter said. “The tournament overall was a good experience.” Stokes agreed. “It was great to be able to end the season with this team the at the state tournament, since we’ve been together so long,” he said. The five seniors, Zack De- iter, Stokes, Reimers, Weaver and McDaniel, have played the sport together since their grade school years. Wright said it has been a long time since the Prospector boys made a trip to state. “I think the boys handled themselves very well,” he said. “I was very pleased with how the boys played and kept their composure, especially against corner’s HOT SH T EEK OF THE W MARIAH WRIGHT School: Grant Union Grade: 12 Parents: Michelle Conkey & Rodger Wright Sport: Basketball teams we’ve never seen be- fore.” “We had a strong finish,” he added. “We beat Toledo — that was one of the better basketball teams that we played. They were a great, solid basketball team.” Wright said, although they will lose five seniors, he ex- pects they’ll still be a compet- itive team next year. “They have the experi- ence,” he said. “If we get them again, I don’t think they’re going to have any problems.” Contributed photo/Tanni Wenger Photography The Grant Union girls basketball team poses with its fourth-place trophy after the OSAA 2A Girls Basketball State Championship Saturday in Pendleton. with 22 points in the game, followed by Hutchison with 12, Moulton 9, Hailie Wright 6 and McKrola 5. Grant Union had a 4-point lead in the first and 6-point lead at the half before they be- gan pulling away. Kaylee Wright, McKrola and Moulton each brought down defensive rebounds in the first 2 minutes of the third, which led to scoring opportu- nities. Grant Union outshot Oak- land 16-9 for a 46-33 lead go- ing into the fourth. The Oakers whittled away at the Prospectors’ lead, climbing within 7 points at the three-minute mark. Although Oakland outscored Grant Union 11-8, the Prospectors stayed ahead for the 10-point win, Hutchison and Kaylee Wright combining for 8 in the quarter. Grant Union Player of the Game was Kaylee Wright with 22 points and five steals. Hutchison had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Moulton had 9 points. Oakland Player of the Game was Grace Whitten with 20 points. Kaylee Wright said she’s glad they made it to state three years in a row. “We did exceptionally well for being there three years in a row, and I hope to go back next year,” she said. “Our team worked really well. Winning as a team at state is always an awesome feeling, and we got to show people what we can actually do.” Hallgarth, in his first year as head coach, said his philos- ophy for the girls was to play in the moment and keep their composure at all times, to play hard for their teammates and be a great teammate. He said there are great athletes on the team, but also great people. “Our defense is what kept us in the fight all season long,” he said. “They knew that if we play hard on defense, we would have a chance to win any game.” He said seniors Moulton, Mariah Wright and Whitney McClellan will be missed. “The team, coaches and I will truly miss these three se- niors and all that they accom- plished this season,” he said. He said the bench had a lot of playing time and experience this season, and he expects all but the three seniors to return. “If we can get our summer ball on track this year, our girls should make another run into the post season,” he said. Dayville brings 5th annual Bunny Hop 5K Run and Walk What I like best about my sport: “It is my favorite sport, and everyone involved made it better. Making it to state the last three years was exciting.” Coach’s Comment: “Mariah is a great teammate. She has been committed to the team and her goal was to play a ton on varsity. Her work ethic this summer and this season has paid off. She never misses a practice and was instrumental to our success as a team all season long.” - Coach Casey Hallgarth PROUD SPONSOR OF GRANT COUNTY ATHLETES 100 E. Main • Stoplight in John Day 541-792-0425 Grant Union’s Duane Stokes shoots a free throw. Grant Union Player of the Game was Kaylee Wright with 16 points, and Moulton had 11 points. Faith Bible Player of the Game was Izzy Steerman with 19 points. Grant Union was off to a fiery start against Heppner. The Prospectors met up with Heppner early in the reg- ular season, on Dec. 16, with a 50-39 win. Grant Union kept a lid on the Mustang basket in Friday’s first quarter, outscoring Hep- pner 16-7. Kaylee Wright racked up 10 points in the quarter, which included two 3-pointers and 2-2 at the free throw line. McKrola added 4 points and Hailie Wright added 2. Prospector Makenna Cul- ley opened the second quarter landing a 3-point shot, and Grant Union continued to dominate the game. In the fourth, Heppner came within 8 points of Grant Union 54-46, but then the Prospectors ran away with the 16-point win. Kaylee Wright scored 2 points at the free-throw line, followed by a steal and a bas- ket. Alcie Moore grabbed a de- fensive rebound with Kaylee Wright cashing in on a layup and 2-2 at the free-throw line. Grant Union Player of the Game was Kaylee Wright with 32 points, seven steals and seven rebounds. McKrola had 8 points. Heppner Player of the Game was Sydney Wilson with 17 points. Grant Union, the No. 4 seed, ended the tournament on a high note, defeating the No. 3-seeded Oakland Oakers. Kaylee Wright led the team 43954 Blue Mountain Eagle The city of Dayville will hold its fifth annual Bunny Hop 5K Run and Walk on Sat- urday, March 31. Registration is at 8 a.m. at the Dayville School gym, and cost is $10. Runners may purchase a $10 Bunny Hop T-shirt if they preregister by Friday, March 9. Participants will be bused to a location on South Fork Road where the race will be- gin at 9 a.m., ending at Day- ville City Park. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest runners, and draw- Eagle file photo Participants in the 2015 Dayville Bunny Hop 5K head north on South Fork Road toward the finish line at Dayville City Park. This year’s event will be Saturday, March 31. ings for prizes will also be held. The Buddy the Elk Award Congratulations Michal Madden, Top Producing Agent for Eastern Oregon Realty seven years running. Give Michal a call for all of your real estate needs: 541-620-4408 44218 Principal Broker Jerry Franklin shared that Michal exhibits a high degree of professionalism and exceeds her clients and co-workers expectations each day with a helpful and positive attitude. of $50, donated by Old West Federal Credit, is given to the fastest youth division runner, up to age 13, who finishes on their own. The award is named after a friend- ly elk who joined racers on the course in 2016, follow- ing them all the way to the park. Emma Winkelman orga- nizes the event, with help from city recorder Ruthie Moore and others. “It’s always fun with the Easter Egg Hunt that fol- lows,” Moore said. “It’s a great family event.” The Easter Egg Hunt, also sponsored by the city, starts at 10:30 a.m. or later if 5K par- ticipants are still streaming in. We would like to thank the community and all the fans from Grant County for all their support this season for the Prairie City Boys Basketball Team. Your support and love for them at every game did not go unnoticed. Showing up to support them as they followed their DREAMS at the State Tournament was amazing. What a journey they had and so deserved. The Burke Family 44571