The Cougars remained confident in a high-pressure situation against their local rivals and cashed in on some strong free-throw shooting.

Wallowa High School boys’ basketball players converted seven of 10 foul shots in the final three minutes and clinched a 45-38 win at Quinn Court in Enterprise Dec. 20.

During one stretch, senior Dalton Weaver, sophomore Tyler Harshfield and junior Andrew Wilson strung together five in a row.

The Wallowa team, improving their record to 4-3, used contributions from several players. Sophomore forward Mark Jamerson was a the most valuable player, scoring eight points and grabbing 20 of his team’s 39 rebounds.

Assuming a bigger role in his second season on the varsity team, Jamerson (6 foot 1) grabbed 15 rebounds in a victory against Ione High School at the Winter Classic in Enterprise Dec. 7.

“Last year, I had to be aggressive in practice, going against Trevor (DeVore),” Jamerson said, referring to the Cougars’ powerful forward who graduated in the spring.

Freshman forward Ronald Gladden and Harshfield also posted eight points.

The Cougars remained ahead on the scoreboard for most of the night, though the Outlaws chipped away late. Enterprise sophomore Jacob Girtz made two free throws, trimming the margin to 38-34 with less than three minutes left.

The Outlaws inched no closer. They committed turnovers while referees whistled them for personal fouls and traveling. Girtz went to the free-throw line with a chance to keep his team close – they were trailing 40-34 with 1:30 on the clock – but this time missed both attempts.

Enterprise suffered its eighth consecutive setback, falling to 1-8. Junior Tyler Warner scored nine points, and Girtz had eight.

Next, the Outlaws will attempt to snap their skid as they go to Pendleton for the Oregon Trail Classic Dec. 28-29. They will compete with the boys of Sherman County High School, Weston McEwen and Powder Valley.

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