In one fell swoop, the Cougars avenged a tough loss and clinched a spot in the state Class 1A playoffs.

Wallowa High School boys achieved a lot with one victory last weekend on Baker High’s basketball court. In a semifinal Feb. 20 at the Old Oregon League’s tournament, the Cougars defeat the Leopards from Cove by the score of 53-43. Just two weeks earlier, the Leopards upset the Cougars in Wallowa. By winning the rematch, the Cougars guaranteed themselves a state playoff. They also started the end of the Leopards’ season. The following day, the Imbler High Panthers eliminated Cove in a consolation.

Meanwhile, Wallowa dropped a 49-39 decision against Powder Valley High for the district championship. The Cougars settled for second place.

Over the weekend, junior point guard Tyler Harshfield totaled 33 points for Wallowa. Sophmore Ronald Gladden scored 20 points, senior Andrew Wilson 17, junior Mark Jamerson 13, senior G.T. McKenzie six and senior Casey King three.

Quickly, Wallowa boys hosted a state playoff Feb. 24 against Portland Lutheran High. That was scheduled too late for this edition of the Chieftain.