Boys basketball: TigerScots snap Outlaws’ winning streak

Published 1:30 pm Tuesday, January 30, 2024

ENTERPRISE – A three-game winning streak, all conference victories, came to an end for the Enterprise boys’ basketball team on Monday, Jan. 29 as the Weston-McEwen TigerScots swept into town and posted a 64-37 2A Blue Mountain Conference win over the Outlaws.

The loss was in stark contrast to Saturday’s 57-53 win over Grant Union, according to Enterprise coach Kyle Crawford.

“On Saturday against Grant Union, the team executed offensively and played tough disciplined defense,” said Crawford. I was proud of our team for having composure in a high-pressure game. Monday was tough. We struggled to get going offensively and had a hard time stopping them in transition.”

The game got away from Enterprise early as Weston-McEwen led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter. The lead expanded for the TigerScots to 37-15 at the half. In the second half of the game, the Outlaws were outscored 27-22.

Quentin Arellano led Enterprise in the loss with eight points. Isaac Bedard added seven points for the Outlaws.

“Ultimately, both experiences have value and we are going to be better in the long run for it,” Crawford said of the two games.

Earlier last week, the Outlaws finished a season sweep of Irrigon with a 48-34 win on the road on Friday, Jan. 26.

Enterprise (13-6 overall, 3-3 2A Blue Mountain Conference) will have the chance to excite hometown fans as the Outlaws host Heppner (11-9 overall, 4-3 2A Blue Mountain Conference) on Friday, Feb. 2 starting at 7:30 p.m. The Mustangs downed Enterprise in Heppner on Jan. 12 by a score of 64-56 in the teams’ previous meeting.

Joseph nabs weekend wins

JOSEPH — The Joseph boys’ basketball team pushed the squad’s league record above .500 with two Old Oregon League wins over the weekend. The Eagle boys now stand at 4-3 and are fifth in the latest league standings.

Joseph started the weekend off with a 59-32 county rivalry victory over Wallowa on Friday, Jan. 26. The game avenged an earlier 29-26 loss suffered by the Eagles to the Cougars on Jan. 4 in the Wallowa gym.

The Eagles picked up the team’s third consecutive victory on Saturday, Jan. 27, downing the visiting Spartans of Pine Eagle with an easy 77-47 win.

Joseph (8-11 overall, 4-3 1A Old Oregon League) hits the road on Tuesday, Feb. 6 looking for a fourth consecutive league victory in the gym of the Powder Valley Badgers (8-12 overall, 2-5 1A Old Oregon League). Joseph took a 35-27 victory over the Badgers on Jan. 19.

Imbler stops Cougars

IMBLER — Playing in their home gym, the Imbler boys’ basketball team cruised past the visiting Wallowa Cougars in a 49-19 1A Old Oregon League victory on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Imbler outscored Wallowa 15-6 in the first quarter and led comfortably at halftime, 34-12. The Cougars stayed cold in the second half, scoring just seven points.

For Wallowa, Isaac Barnum scored 10 points and Gabe Nobles added seven points in the loss.

Wallowa (9-12 overall, 3-4 1A Old Oregon League) returns home on Thursday, Feb. 1 looking to break a two-game skid with a game versus the visiting Leopards of Cove (15-6 overall, 5-2 1A Old Oregon League). The game is set for an early 4 p.m. start with Wallowa looking to avenge a 53-46 loss on Jan. 19.