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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 12, 2018)
A10 Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, December 12, 2018 WEDNESDAY December 12, 2018 Unity is top goal for Tiger boys By ANGEL CARPENTER Blue Mountain Eagle Surrounded by his team in practice last week, Day- ville/Monument Tiger head coach Jeff Schafer told the boys he respects and values what each brings to the table. “Your role is important,” he said. “We build the team by how you treat each other on and off the court.” He added, whether they are on the bench or a starter, he expects them to give their all on the court. All of last season’s play- ers are back this year — except a senior foreign exchange student — plus three more who’ve joined the ranks. Seniors on the team of 11 are Gabe Walk- er-Hopkins and Cade Mil- ton, and there are two juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen. Cade Milton Gabe Walker- Hopkins “They all came back, and it’s good to have a couple extra to help out the team,” Schafer said. “They’ll be a great asset.” Returning starters include Walker-Hopkins, junior Drew Wilburn and soph- omores Donovan Schafer, Mark Thomas and JT Hand. “DJ Howell (a sopho- more) comes off the bench, but he’s invaluable,” coach Schafer said. He said he’s looking to Wilburn to be a good leader this season, emotionally and verbally. The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Dayville/Monument Tiger JT Hand shoots the ball during a practice scrimmage. Others in the action, from left, are Jaydon Hoffman, Wesley Adams, Drew Wilburn and Mark Thomas. “Drew is encouraging the kids and keeping them going,” he said. The coach said Wilburn and Walker-Hopkins both hustle on the court. Regarding Walker-Hop- kins, Schafer added, “His work ethic never stops, and this is a great thing to teach the younger kids.” The coach said his three other starters are also work- ing hard. He said Donovan, who’s grown up playing ball, is constantly working on his skills and teamwork. “And he’s grown a couple inches,” the coach added. Thomas is developing into a good point guard, he said, and Hand will be a strong rebounder. “The new guys work hard and are eager,” Schafer said. Schafer has assistant coach Josh Williams back, and new assistant coach Andy Wilburn has also joined this season. Milton, who was on the team his sophomore year, is back. He said he played foot- ball with most of the basket- ball players, and he’s look- ing forward to being on a team again. “The goal is to work hard and have fun,” he said. Walker-Hopkins, who is in his fourth year on the varsity team, said he’s been impressed with how the team has come together in just the first few weeks of practice, compared to last year. “I see that they’re young, but they’re working together really well and growing exponentially,” he said. Hand said teamwork, trusting the coaches and communication on the court will be key for their success. Drew Wilburn said their goal is to work as a team, and he believes they’ll finish strong this year. “I’m pumped,” he said. “I’ve waited all year to do See Boys, Page A13 Grant Union girls claim victory at Columbia River Clash By BRETT KANE EO Media Group The Grant Union girls took home the big trophy after defeating Joseph 64-50 at the Columbia River Clash championships. The Prospectors scored on two turn- overs in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead. “It was a great weekend with an intense run,” said head coach Kristi Moore. “We came in determined to take it all the way, and that’s what we did.” Seniors Marissa Smith, Madison McKrola and Kaylee Wright com- bined for 8 points as the first quarter wound down, and senior Hailie Wright hit a half-court 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded for a 22-6 lead. The Eagles nearly matched the Prospectors, 11-9, in the second, but were still down 33-15 at the half. They came out of the locker room to post 14 points over Grant Union’s 9 in the third and nearly matched them again 22-21 in the fourth, trading scores until the buzzer. Prospector senior Alcie Moore hit 4 straight points in the final seconds to secure the championship. “I’m proud of the girls for their intensity after three days of basket- ball and two nights away from home,” Moore said. “They continued to fight until the very end.” Staff photo by Kathy Aney/East Oregonian Staff photo by E.J. Harris/East Oregonian Staff photo by E.J. Harris/East Oregonian Grant Union’s Madi McKrola (25) drives to the basket Saturday during the championship game of the Columbia River Clash against Joseph. Grant Union’s Hailie Wright looks to pass the ball in front of Riverside’s Faith Rosen in the Prospectors’ 54-34 win against Riverside on Friday in Umatilla. Grant Union’s Kaylee Wright drives on Riverside’s Faith Rosen in the Prospectors’ 54-34 win against Riverside on Friday in Umatilla. AWARDS Grant Union 2A Blue Mountain Conference football awards By Blue Mountain Eagle Defensive backs Garrett Lenz, senior, First Team Jordan Hall, sophomore, First Team Justin Hodge, freshman, honorable mention Linebackers Russell Hodge, junior, First Team Taylor Hunt, junior, First Team Defensive linemen Drew Lusco, junior, First Team Peyton Neault, sopho- more, Second Team Offensive linemen Drew Lusco, First Team Devon Stokes, sopho- more, Second Team Peyton Neault, honorable mention Receivers Jordan Hall, Second Team Quarterbacks Garrett, Lenz, Second Team Running backs Russell Hodge, First Team Justin Hodge, Second Team Punters Russell Hodge, First Team Peyton Neault Russell Hodge Drew Lusco Prairie City 1A High Desert League volleyball awards By Blue Mountain Eagle Rilee Emmel, junior, outside hitter, Second Team Emily Ennis, junior, setter/right side hitter, honorable mention Katie Hire, soph- omore, setter/right side hitter, honorable mention Hailee Wall, junior, middle blocker, hon- orable mention Lane Williams Katie Hire Hailee Wall Jake McHatton Jonathan Lawrence Prairie City 1A High Desert League football awards By Blue Mountain Eagle Lane Williams, senior, long snapper, First Team Jake McHatton, junior, offensive line/center, Sec- Rilee Emmel Emily Ennis Contributed photos/Tanni Wenger Photography Declan Zweygardt ond Team Jonathan Lawrence, senior, punter, Second Team Declan Zweygardt, soph- omore, running back, honor- able mention Grant Union football player receives all-state recognition Grant Union Prospector football player junior Drew Lusco was named to first team all-state offensive line and second team all- Drew Lusco state defensive line. Jordan Hall SPORTS SCHEDULE Aubrey Bowlus Devon Stokes Garrett Lenz Denali Twehues Faythe Schafer Kyla Emerson Dayville/Monument 1A High Desert All-League volleyball awards By Blue Mountain Eagle Justin Hodge Taylor Hunt Faythe Schafer, senior, Setter of the Year Kyla Emerson, senior, outside hitter, honorable mention Aubrey Bowlus, senior, outside hitter, honorable mention Denali Twehues, junior, setter, honorable mention Friday, Dec. 14 Grant Union wrestling at Elgin Tournament, 1 p.m. Prairie City boys basketball vs. Horizon Christian, 6 p.m. Dayville/Monument basketball vs. Mitchell/Spray, girls 6 p.m., boys 7:30 p.m. Grant Union basketball vs. Burns, girls 6 p.m., boys 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 Grant Union wrestling at Elgin Tournament, 10 a.m. Long Creek/Ukiah basketball vs. Mitchell/Spray in Dayville, girls 1:30 p.m., boys 3 p.m. Prairie City basketball vs. Imbler, girls 4 p.m., boys 5:30 p.m. Dayville/Monument varsity basketball vs. Grant Union junior varsity, girls 4:30 p.m., boys 6 p.m.
