Imbler hosts state champs in first round 1A showdown today

IMBLER — To make it to the second round of the state playoffs, the Lady Panthers will have to do something no 1A volleyball team could do last season — beat Ione.

The defending state champions visit Imbler today at 6 p.m.

Eastern Oregon University volleyball student-athletes Stefani Sorensen and Karly Stack were selected as the Red Lion hitter and setter of the week on Monday.

For the second time this season Sorensen (Camas, Wash.) was selected as hitter of the week.

Sorensen recorded 40 Kills in three matches, averaging 3.3 kills per game with a .372 attack percentage.

Jessica Pedro, Powder Valley - 2012 Old Oregon League Player of the Year

Badger, Imbler trios dominate

A pair of threes filled out most of the 2012 all-Old Oregon League honors, released Saturday. 

EOU’s Anthony Brown goes up for a lay-in with a New Hope Christian defender bearing down on him Saturday night at Quinn Coliseum. CASEY KELLAS - The Observer

The No. 9 Eastern Oregon University men’s basketball team used a hot shooting touch to defeat New Hope Christian for the second night in a row Saturday, 93-82. The Mountaineers defeated the Deacons 93-80 Friday night.

“We played with a lot of energy,” head coach Isaac Williams said after Saturday’s victory. “We didn’t always play with the right focus or execution, especially on defense. There were stretches where we were very good defensively. But we were good on offense, other than the turnovers. I think for this time of year, we’re in a pretty good place.”

DICKINSON, North Dakota — The Eastern Oregon University football team squared off with Dickinson State for the first time in program history Saturday.

And to kick off the rivalry, the Mountaineers did something to the Blue Hawks that hadn’t been done in 241 games: shut them out.

EOU’s Jorie Freeman scored 10 points and had 10 rebounds in a 83-40 win over New Hope Saturday. CASEY KELLAS - The Observer

The Eastern Oregon University women’s basketball team lived up its ranking this weekend, as the No. 10 Mountaineers defeated New Hope Christian twice.

EOU defeated the Deacons 67-50 Friday night before dispatching them again Saturday, 83-40. 

La Grande’s Ryan Ross had 102 yards rushing, including an 84-yard touchdown run, in the Tigers’ 70-6 loss to Baker Friday. CASEY KELLAS - The Observer

The Baker Bulldogs came to Community Stadium Friday and pounded the La Grande football team 70-6, ending a winless season for the Tigers (0-8).

The game was one-sided throughout, with the Bulldogs (7-1, 3-0) jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and stretching it to 55-0 at halftime. 

COVE — Cove honored its seniors the best way possible Friday night, by picking up a 64-6 victory over Wallowa.

The Leopards saw all six of its elder classmen get in the endzone in the win that improves CHS to  5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Old Oregon League.

La Grande’s Allisa Welberg goes up for a header in the second half of the Lady Tigers’ 2-0 victory over Baker Saturday. With the win LHS finished the Greater Oregon League season with a perfect 9-0 mark. CASEY KELLAS - The Observer

The La Grande girls soccer team finished off the regular season with a 2-0 victory over Baker Saturday, wrapping up the regular-season league title for the Lady Tigers.

LHS finishes with a 12-1 overall record and went 8-1 in the Greater Oregon League.

La Grande’s and Baker played in a muddy and rainy conditions Saturday. BHS won 1-0. CASEY KELLAS - The Observer

The La Grande boys soccer team put themselves in a tough place Saturday. With a 1-0 loss to rival Baker, the Tigers’ playoff fate is now in the hands of the OSAA ranking system, which doesn’t freeze until Tuesday.

Currently LHS is third in the Greater Oregon League and ranked 20th by the OSAA, but the GOL isn’t guarenteed three teams for a play-in game.