Old Oregon League basketball teams bound for Baker

Published 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 13, 2024

BAKER — Basketball tournament time is upon us and the Old Oregon League will start action on Thursday, Feb. 15 in the Baker High School gym.

The Union and Joseph girls kick off the tournament starting at 2 p.m. Union (19-5 overall, 9-1 1A Old Oregon League) is in a three-way tie atop the league standings along with Powder Valley and Echo. Joseph (11-12 overall, 6-4 1A Old Oregon League) sits fifth in the league standings, defeating Elgin on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in a play-in game to make the trip to Baker.

The winner will take on Powder Valley on Friday.

The boys take the court starting at 3:30 p.m. with Echo taking on Cove. The Leopards (18-6 overall, 8-2 1A Old Oregon League) are tied with Union for third in the Old Oregon League. Echo (15-10 overall, 6-4 1A Old Oregon League) is one spot behind in fifth.

The victorious team will have their work cut out for them on Friday, taking on Nixyaawii.

The action takes a break for dinner before returning at 6 p.m. with the Imbler and Nixwaayii girls on the floor. Imbler (18-6 overall, 8-2 1A Old Oregon League) is ranked No. 5 in the state while Nixyaawii (9-12 overall, 5-5 1A Old Oregon League) upset Wallowa in a play-in game for the opportunity to play in Baker.

The winner of that game plays Friday against the Lady Cougars of Echo.

Thursday’s action wraps up with the Pilot Rock and Union boys meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. The Bobcats (18-6 overall, 8-2 1A Old Oregon League) are tied with Cove for third in the league standings and hold down an eight-place showing in the state polling.

Pilot Rock (12-13 overall, 4-6 1A Old Oregon League) won a play-in victory over Joseph to qualify for the tournament. The winner will advance to a Friday game versus Imbler.