Girls basketball: Joseph rallies for win at Wallowa

Published 12:49 pm Sunday, January 7, 2024

WALLOWA — The Joseph girls’ basketball team made the most of a trip to Wallowa, claiming a 1A Old Oregon League victory and defeating a county rival, 40-36 on Thursday, Jan. 4.

Wallowa got a quick start and led 15-6 at the end of the first quarter.

But boosted by 11 points from senior Aimee Meyers, Joseph stormed back in the second quarter with 20 points to claim a 26-23 lead.

Scoring for both teams slowed down in the second half: Joseph scored just six points in the third quarter, while the Lady Cougars sank just two baskets for four points.

Meyers ended the night with 21 points to lead all scorers. Caleigh Johnson added 16 points for the Eagles.

In the loss, Wallowa saw Sophie Moeller with 10 points, the lone Cougar in double figures. Zoe Hermens and Abby Straight each added six points.

Joseph followed up with the win with a road trip to Echo for a Saturday, Jan. 6 nonleague game. Echo prevailed in that game by a 51-37 score; details were not immediately available.

Joseph, now 5-8 overall and 1-0 1A Old Oregon League play, gets back on the court on Friday, Jan. 12 with a 6 p.m. game at Pine Eagle (5-8).

Wallowa (9-5 overall, 0-1 1A Old Oregon League) was scheduled to hit the road on Tuesday, Jan. 9 for a nonleague game against the Lady Rockets of Pilot Rock (4-7 overall), but that game has been called off because Wallowa does not have enough players available due to illness.