New Joseph High School varsity coach Olan Fulfer had his debut home game Friday night against Long Creek/Ukiah, and he and his team fulfilled some expectations of hustling and team toughness, with a two-point win. On Saturday the team traveled to Echo and the team scored and even bigger win.

Joseph beat Long Creek/Ukiah 47 to 45 in an exciting match-up that went into overtime, and against the Echo Cougars won 34-15.

Coach Fulfer, though proud of his kids, wanted to remain humble. Our best basketball is yet to be played, he said.

Fridays home opener had both fan bases in the gym pretty excited, with Long Creek leading the game most of the way. Joseph just wouldnt go away, though, and in the fourth quarter went ahead. Freshman Cayden DeLury was having a game of a lifetime, scoring 28 points, but it was his assists that helped Joseph to victory. Delury went to the rim, sometimes scoring unchallenged. When he was, he lobbed the ball over the defense for some back door shots for Ben Smallen. The team as a whole was playing well. However, with about 6 seconds left and Joseph ahead by 2, one of the players took a shot he really when he didnt have to. Long Creek/Ukiah grabbed the rebound and with 4.5 seconds left in the game ran the court, scored and tied it up.

In overtime Joseph came out strong, going ahead but now it was Long Creeks turn to be tough so Long Creek/Ukiah they only lost by 2.

Playing against Echo on Saturday, again Coach Fulfer talked about how much the kids have to learn. However, he was able to use his whole bench with some favorable results.

We played a balanced game, Fulfer said, adding, Eric Hogg continued to work hard, Sam Beckman was shooting good, Blair Beaudion was passing well and Wil Story played some great defense.

Stats for the weekend are as follows:

Against Long Creek/Ukiah, Delury scored 28 points, Smallen 13 and Blair Beaudoin and Aaron Borgerding, 3 points each.

Playing Echo, DeLury scored 5; Jake Chrisman and Sam Beckman, 7 each; Beaudoin, 5; and Smallen, Borgerding and Hogg, 3 each..

Next up for the Joseph Eagles is the Enterprise Education Foundation Winter Classic tournament Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14. The two-day tourney will feature the Joseph, Enterprise, Wallowa, and Pine Eagle teams.