Survive and Advance: Local HS basketball teams set for weekend playoffs
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, February 23rd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON — Expect plenty of action this weekend as a plethora of local high school hoops teams are ready to hit the hardwood.
High school playoffs are underway in Oregon, and teams from across Eastern Oregon are gearing up for what should be great showdowns in the chase for a state championship.
Here’s a rundown of the local teams and games:
4A BOYS:
Pendleton travels 430 miles to Coos Bay to take on Marshfield in a play-in game on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00pm. The Buckaroos advance to the 16-team playoff if they win.
League champion and one-loss Baker is the No. 4 overall seed and will play its first round game on March 1. La Grande automatically qualified for the 16-team field as well and is waiting to see who it’ll play.
4A GIRLS:
Defending 4A champs Baker will host Phoenix from southern Oregon in a play-in game on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00pm. The Bulldogs advance to the 16-team playoff if they win
League champs and No. 6 overall seed La Grande and Pendleton both qualified for the 16-team tournament and both await their opponents.
3A BOYS:
Round two of the 3A boys playoffs gets underway Friday, February 23, with 16 teams remaining.
No. 4 Vale is at home against a familiar foe in No. 13 Burns on Saturday, February 24 at 6:00pm (MT). The winner advances to the state tournament in Coos Bay.
No. 12 Umatilla is traveling outside of Eugene to battle No. 5 Harrisburg on Friday, February 23 at 7:00pm. If the Vikings win, they advance to the tournament on the coast and will play the winner of Vale/Burns on February 29.
3A GIRLS:
Round two of the 3A girls playoffs has 16 teams that are alive in the hunt for the title. Teams that win this weekend advance to the state tournament in Coos Bay.
No. 4 Vale is home this weekend and will host No. 20 Sisters on Saturday, February 24 at 4:00pm (MT).
No. 11 Nyssa heads 386 miles west to play Pleasant Hill on Saturday, February 24 at noon.
No. 16 Burns heads north to the Columbia River Gorge to take on No. 1 seed Corbett on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00pm
2A BOYS:
It’s round one of the 2A playoffs, with 16 teams vying for a title. Two eastern Oregon teams are in the chase.
No. 8 Stanfield will host No. 9 Kennedy out of Salem on Friday, February 23 at 6:00pm. If the Tigers win, they’ll advance to the state tournament, being held just down the road on I-84 in Pendleton.
No. 11 Grant Union heads west to the Coast Range to try and upset No. 6 Willamina on Saturday, February 24 at 2:00pm. The Prospectors advance to the state tournament with a win.
2A GIRLS:
Round one of the girls 2A playoffs also gets underway, with several local teams in the hunt. Winners from the weekend advance to the 2A tournament in Pendleton.
No. 7 Weston-McEwen begins its campaign with a home game against No. 10 Oakridge on Saturday, February 24 at 2:00pm.
No. 8 Enterprise is at home and will duel No. 9 Willamina on Saturday, February 24 at 3:00pm.
No. 11 Stanfield looks to return to the championship game and the Tigers hunt begins in Lebanon when they face No. 6 East Linn Christian on Saturday, February 24 at 3:00pm.
No. 14 Heppner heads to the state capitol to try to upset No. 3 Regis on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00pm.
1A BOYS:
Eastern Oregon is well represented in the final 16 team bracket. Winners this weekend advance to the state tournament at Baker High.
No. 1 and defending 1A champs Crane is at home and faces off against No. 17 Bonanza on Friday, February 23 at 5:00pm.
No. 2 Nixyaawii is also at home, taking on No. 15 Valor Christian on Friday, February 23 at 5:00pm.
No. 6 Sherman hosts No. 11 North Douglas on Friday, February 23 at 6:00pm.
No. 8 Union will contend with No. 24 Falls City/Kings Valley Charter on Friday, February 23 at 7:00pm.
No. 20 Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler heads to Hillsboro to try and upset No. 4 Trinity Lutheran on Friday, February 23 at 6:30pm.
1A GIRLS:
A substantial number of Eastern Oregon teams are also contending for a 1A girls title. Winners this weekend advance to the state tournament at Baker High.
No. 1 and undefeated Crane continues its campaign at home against No. 17 Trout Lake/Glenwood on Saturday, February 24 at 3:00pm.
No. 3 Jordan Valley hosts No. 9 Echo in an Eastern Oregon clash on Saturday, February 24 at 5:00pm (MT).
No. 6 Powder Valley is at home in North Powder against No. 11 Chiloquin on Saturday, February 24 at 2:00pm.
No. 9 Imbler heads south to the desert to battle against No. 8 North Lake/Paisley on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00pm.
No. 13 Union heads west to Molalla to take on No. 4 Country Christian on Saturday, February 24 at 5:00pm.
