Boys basketball: Wallowa edges Joseph in league opener

Published 10:21 pm Friday, January 5, 2024

WALLOWA — The Wallowa boys’ basketball team claimed county bragging rights and opened the 1A Old Oregon League season with a slim 29-26 victory over Joseph on Thursday, Jan. 4 in the Cougar gym.

The margin of victory could have been a little larger: “We missed some free throws down the stretch and some in the game,” said winning coach Deon Chandler.

For the night, the Cougar boys were 9-for-19 from the line.

Fans for both teams saw little offense to start the game as only 17 total points were scored in the first eight minutes. While Joseph scored 10 in the second quarter, Wallowa managed only four and trailed at the half, 18-13. 

The third quarter was Joseph’s turn to go cold, as the Eagles failed to score. Wallowa responded with 16 points in the second half and went on to claime the win.

Wallowa, which won its fifth straight game, saw Isaac Barnum put in 13 points for the Cougars. Gabe Nobles added seven points.

In the loss, Joseph was led by Kane Johnson’s 12 points.

Wallowa (6-8 overall) was scheduled to hit the road on Tuesday, Jan. 9 for a game against Pilot Rock (4-6 overall) in nonleague action.

Joseph (3-9 overall) also returns to nonleague play but on Saturday, Jan. 6 with a road game in Echo to meet the Cougars (8-4 overall).