The Cougars drew the Badgers, last season’s district champions in boys’ basketball, for their first opponents out of Old Oregon.

Powerful Powder Valley High School, now with an 11-1 overall record, bested Wallowa High School by the score of 63-53 Jan. 5 at North Powder. The Cougars fell behind early, but managed to tie in the third quarter before the Badgers’ 6-foot-6 Jordan Pratt took over. He tallied 12 points in the third alone, working over Wallowa sophomore Mark Jamerson (6-1).

“They took (the ball) inside and Pratt was a tough match up for Mark,” Wallowa coach Kyle Burnett said.

The Cougars’ record slipped to 7-6 overall. Jamerson managed to claw his way to eight points in the second half. He also snatched 11 rebounds. Senior guard Brandon Mahon also had eight points. Sophomore point guard Tyler Harshfield led the Cougars with 15 points.

Senior guard Dalton Weaver also scored 15 points, 12 of them in a second-quarter rally. The Cougars started poorly, falling behind 16-2 in the opening quarter. Then Weaver brought them back in the game. Junior guard Andrew Wilson added a three-point basket. Shortly after halftime, the Cougars tied the score at 33-33.

Rebounding for a weekend of league games, Wallowa will host Imbler High School Jan. 11 before traveling to Halfway for a game at Pine Eagle High School.