High school basketball playoffs heat up as local teams narrow down
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, February 26th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – Across the state, the hardwood drama of the OSAA State Basketball Championships unfolds with teams steadily dwindling down in a relentless pursuit of championship glory.
In Eastern Oregon, multiple teams’ state title dreams’ are still alive.
Here’s a rundown of where local hoops teams stand:
4A BOYS:
No. 4 seed and league champs Baker looks to punch its ticket to the state tournament in Forest Grove next week when the Bulldogs host No. 13 Newport on Friday, March 1, at 8:30pm.
No. 16 La Grande has a tall task ahead to keep its season alive. The Tigers travel to the Salem area to take on No. 1 Cascade on March 1, time TBD.
4A GIRLS:
No. 6 seed and league champs La Grande begins its playoff run with a home game against Marist Catholic from Eugene on Saturday, March 2 at 5:30pm.
No. 12 Pendleton heads south to Klamath Falls to take on No. 5 Klamath Union on Saturday, March 2 at 1:00pm.
No. 14 Baker heads to the Willamette Valley for a big test against No. 3 Philomath on Saturday March 2, time TBD.
3A BOYS:
No. 13 Burns is the last local team alive in this class, after the Hilanders upset No. 4 Vale to advance to the state tournament in North Bend. Burns will face No. 5 Harrisburg on Thursday, February 29 at 1:30pm.
3A GIRLS:
Malheur County sends two teams to the state tournament in Coos Bay, with No. 4 Vale playing No. 5 Banks on Thursday, February 29 at 3:15pm and No. 11 Nyssa taking on No. 3 Amity right after at 6:30pm.
2A BOYS:
Stanfield is the lone local team still alive in this bracket, with the No. 8 Tigers traveling down the freeway to Pendleton High to duel against No. 1 Westside Christian on Thursday, February 29 at 3:30pm.
2A GIRLS:
Enterprise is still alive and kicking, with the No. 8 Outlaws facing a big challenge when they go against No. 1 Westside Christian on Thursday, February 29 at 1:30pm in Pendleton.
No. 11 Stanfield also has a challenge ahead, with the Tigers facing No. 3 Regis on Thursday, February 29 at 6:30pm.
1A BOYS:
In what should be a battle of Eastern Oregon elites in Baker, No. 1 Crane will square off against No. 8 Union in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 28 at 1:30pm.
No. 2 Nixyaawii looks to advance to the semifinals when the Golden Eagles take on No. 7 Lost River on Wednesday, February 28 at 8:15pm.
1A GIRLS:
Four local teams make up the final eight in this bracket, but only two will move on to the semifinals.
No. 1 Crane takes on No. 9 Imbler on Thursday, February 29 at 1:30pm at Baker High.
No. 6 Powder Valley stays close to home and will play No. 14 Echo that same day at 6:30pm.
Click here to find full brackets and schedules.
