>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

THE DALLES — It wasn’t pretty, but it’s over.

A youthful La Grande boys golf team came home holding their heads high after shooting a team score of 432 Friday.

“They finished,” Tigers head coach Ron Evans said. “That’s the important thing. It was a great experience and a chance to see how they would fare in a real competition.”

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The first trip into the second round of the NAIA Division II women’s basketball tournament came to an abrupt end.

Following an upset win against Cardinal Strich, the Mountaineers came out cold during a 63-48 loss to Black Hills State University.

EOU shot 27 percent from the floor in the first half.

HERMISTON — A solid opening for the La Grande boys track and field team may provide a shot of confidence to a young group.

Wesley Burgess and Nur Sofe highlighted the season opening meet in Hermiston Friday.

Burgess took first in the 100-meter dash, and third in the 200-meter dash.

Senior Luke Kevan led the La Grande basketball team during two loses at the Class 4A state basketball tournament. Kevan scored 17 points in his final game. - Observer/PAUL HARDER

The bulbs at Gill Coliseum froze the Tigers again, this time to the tune of a 60-49 loss Thursday morning to Phoenix in the consolation round of the Oregon Class 4A Basketball Championships.

Once again the loss had the same blueprint — La Grande lost the battle on the boards and at the free-throw line.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Time heals all wounds?

Yes, it does.  And how nice it is.

The No.7-seeded EOU Lady Mountaineers upset No. 2  Cardinal Stritch, 52-49, saving the best for last during the final game of the night Thursday at the NAIA Division II Championships at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena.

La Grande senior Anthony Nice drives to the hoop against Marist during a 61-45 quarterfinal loss at the Class 4A state championships Wednesday. Nice finished with 10 points in the game. - Observer/PAUL HARDER

Marist, 23-4, opened strong and pulled away for a 61-45 win against the Tigers, 24-2, in the quarterfinals at the Class 4A state basketball tournament Wednesday.

It all started with the Spartan guards.

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — He said he had to be creative, needing to find ways to motivate his players. With nearly two weeks between games, EOU head coach Ryan Looney was trying to make his Mounties as prepared as possible for this NAIA Division II National Tournament.

Well, if Wednesday’s game is any indication of Looney’s creativity, then it appears his front lobe is working just fine.

TIGER TRAIN: Luke Kevan (40) and the La Grande basketball team will head to Corvallis in quest of a state championship. The Tigers will tip-off against Marist at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

When La Grande (24-1) takes the floor against Marist (22-4) at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday in Gill Coliseum, something may be missing.

There won’t be any knees knocking or other outward signs of nervousness.

The Tigers will fill that void with unflappable confidence — which may seem odd considering only Anthony Nice returns from a team that took second just two years ago.

LUUUUKE: Tigers senior Luke Kevan scored 14 points. The Observer/BRUCE MASON

White Noise.

Onto Beaver Country.

CORVALLIS BOUND? Anthony Nice (right) and his Tigers teammates can earn a trip to the OSAA Final Eight with a victory tonight versus Molalla. The Tigers (23-1) would play the winner of Marist-Henley at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at Oregon State University. - Observer file photo

The OSAA sweet 16.

The game leading to a trip to Beaver Country.