1A basketball: Cougar comeback falls just short; Joseph beats Elgin at home

Published 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 13, 2024

PENDLETON — After being down early, a comeback attempt by the Wallowa girls’ basketball team ended up just two points short as the Cougars fell, 40-38, to the Nixyaawii Golden Eagles on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

The defeat means the Lady Cougars will be sitting at home as the upcoming 1A Old Oregon League Tournament kicks off in Baker in Thursday, Feb. 15.

“We have played in the toughest league in the state with mixed results,” said Wallowa coach Greg Oveson. “I felt we were playing good the last three weeks and don’t have the results we were hoping for.”

A scoreless first quarter placed the Cougars in the hole early as Nixyaawii led 32-8 at the half. After a lackluster third quarter that saw Wallowa score again only eight points and down by 16, the Cougars mounted a comeback with a 22-point final eight minutes but fell just short.

“I was disappointed in the way we played but to be down 16 at the end of the third and come back to lose by so little made me feel better,” Oveson said.

Zoe Hermens scored eight of her team-high 12 points in the final quarter of the game.

Sophie Moeller ended her night with nine points for the Cougars.

Oveson and the Cougars now play a waiting game. Although Wallowa (14-10 overall and 5-5 in league play) is knocked out of the upcoming Old Oregon League tournament, the team’s state ranking of 25th plus movement of teams around the state due to tournament play may allow the Cougars to earn an invitation to the state tournament.

Meanwhile, the Joseph Eagles girls team posted a 49-30 win over Elgin at home on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The Eagles (11-12 overall, 6-4 in league play) advance to the Old Oregon tournament with a 2 p.m. Thursday game against Union (19-5 overall, 9-1 in league) in Baker.

Details of the Joseph victory were not immediately available.

Boys basketball

Both Joseph and Wallowa boys basketball teams lost their opening round games in the Old Oregon League playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

The Eagles (9-14, 5-5 in league) lost 42-35 to Pilot Rock in a game played in Joseph. 

The Wallowa Cougars (10-15, 4-6 in league), playing on the road against Echo, lost 72-50. 

No details were immediately available from either game.