The Lady Cougars want to assemble a different kind of streak.

The girls’ basketball team at Wallowa High School won both of its games at the Echo Tournament. On Friday, Nov. 30 – a day shy of the one-year anniversary of the Cougars’ last victory – they played well in the final quarter to pound City Christian High School, 46-31. The win snapped a 21-game losing skid that dated back to Dec. 1, 2006, when they claimed a 35-31 decision over Prairie City.

The next day, the Lady Cougars rallied from behind in the third quarter and beat the Stanfield High School Tigers, 48-41.

“Our offense is starting to click,” coach Dawn Crow said. “We’re working hard to stay focused. Our free throw shooting still needs lot of work.” The Cougars converted just 12 of 36 attempts at the line.

Nevertheless, Wallowa’s record improved to 2-1. More than half of its scoring came from senior guard Brittany Mayton, who tallied 54 points over the two games combined.

But it was the defense that put City Christian in fits. The Cougars used a man-to-man defense and applied pressure to dribblers in the backcourt during the third quarter. The game remained close, but the intensity wore out the opposition. Wallowa led, 33-27, after the third, and then put the game away in the final stretch.

Seven different players scored for Wallowa. Mayton had 28 points and six rebounds, and freshman guard Kuulei Delatori hit three baskets. Also, junior forward Judith Shike collected seven rebounds and made four assists. Senior guard Mallory Turner had four assists, four rebounds and two points.

The next day, the Cougars proved that Friday’s game was no fluke. Stanfield had a 25-22 lead at halftime, taking advantage when left open along the outside. Wallowa responded with a strong third quarter, outscoring the opposition, 12-3.

Mayton led with 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Turner scored 10 points, Shike grabbed six rebounds, while junior Ayesha Wortman made five assists.

Next, the Lady Cougars will take their winning record to the Winter Classic at Enterprise High School this weekend, starting on Friday.

Contact reporter Hector del Castillo at 426-4567, or e-mail at hdelcastillo@wallowa.com.