Riding the bus across the state to Molalla, Tavin Hurley knew Joseph High School’s hopes of another playoff depended on matching two outstanding boys’ basketball players at Country Christian High School.

Targeting the Cougars’ Issac McKinley and Paul Carter (both of whom tied for the title of Casco district’s Player of the Year) is one thing, but limiting them is another matter. “They were pretty much a two-man team,” Hurley said. McKinley finished the Feb. 23 game with 37 points, Carter had 20. By the time the Eagles realized what hit them, they were too far behind and their rollercoaster season ended with a 74-56 loss.

Joseph continued to apply the aggressive defense important in their little winning streak during the post-season. The Eagles forced the opposition to rush – but the Cougars remained calm, protected the ball and, most important, fed passes to McKinley and Carter. Joseph senior Corby Makin scored a three-point basket to open the night, but the Cougars answered with six straight points and stayed ahead the rest of the game.

The Eagles had managed to stay close through the first eight minutes and trailed 14-10 when the Cougars took off midway through the second quarter. Joseph senior Devin Patton’s short lay-in drew the Eagles within a 21-16 margin, but for every basket they tallied, McKinley answered with a couple. Just before the horn blared for halftime, Carter swished a three-pointer for a 42-25 advantage.

“I know we weren’t playing like we could have,” Hurley said. “It seemed like we kinda got rattled and didn’t start rebounding till the second quarter. We didn’t work as a team and box out, which is a shame because usually we’re the ones out-rebounding the other team.”

Country Christian began the second half slowly, but Joseph failed to take advantage and turned the ball over for four consecutive possessions.

Joseph finished a solid season with a 19-9 overall record. Makin scored 14 points, Patton had 11, senior Fayira Touray had 10 while Hurley and junior Gavin Baynes posted eight points each.

Next year, the Joseph program will have to make up for a major flux of departing players. Four starters graduate this summer. Touray, who quickly developed into a major contributor, returns home to Sweden at the conclusion of the school year. The experienced varsity players set to return include three juniors: Hurley, Baynes, and Erik Steen. The rest of the team will consist of youngsters up from JV and junior high.

“We been together since the fifth grade – me, Wyatt and Devin; Corby started in the seventh grade,” Chris Harshman said. “With our corps of seniors, we knew we’d be strong this season.”

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