BAKER CITY — The Imbler boys basketball team used defense to control its opening game of the Old Oregon League tournament against Joseph Thursday.

The Panthers rode a strong first half to a 59-26 win against Joseph.

Converting turnovers into points, Imbler shot 48 percent from the field in the first half en route to a 30-8 halftime lead.

INTO THE TIGERS DEN: The La Grande Tigers wrestling team will host the Greater Oregon League wrestling tournament Friday and Saturday. - Observer file photo

But the Tigers will have a shot at redemption on both teams as La Grande hosts the Greater Oregon League district tournament Friday and Saturday.

JOLTING JUNIOR: Cove’s Tierra Prince will try to help her team advance to the state tournament this week in Baker City. The Leopards kick off the league tournament against Joseph Thursday. Observer file photo

Imbler is the No. 1 team in the state, returning four starters from last season’s second-place team.

This year there is no Joseph-like team looming on the other side of the bracket.

PROWLING PANTHERS: The Imbler Panthers look like the surprise team with the return of Bryan Mills to the starting five. Submitted file photo

The Old Oregon League post-season tournament begins Thursday.

Wallowa locked up the No. 1 seed with a 9-1 record in the OOL, and finished 17-3 overall.

IMBLER’S A.J. PLUMMER works for position against top seeded Troy Richardson of Melba, Idaho, in the 119-pound championship match Saturday in Halfway. Plummer knocked off his opponent in a tight match with a 7-4 victory. - RON OSTERLOH/Submitted photo

Melba, Idaho, took home the team title with 150.5 total points.

LEAGUE SHOWDOWN: Wallowa’s Ronald Gladden shoots over Badgers defender Trenton Dixon Friday. - PAUL HARDER/THE OBSERVER

“It’s a big mental lift for us,” Powder Valley head coach Kyle Dixon said. “We know that we can beat them. That’s big headed into the league tournament.”

 The best swimmers from around the state converged on La Grande for the Special District 2 swim meet Friday and Saturday.

After the grueling two days of intense competition, the La Grande girls team came out unscathed with a dominating performance to take first place.

ONTARIO — The La Grande wrestling team lost its second dual of the week Thursday night, getting beat by Ontario 45-26.

“We had a lot of good things happen in the matches tonight,” LHS head coach Klel Carson said. “I was proud with how the kids wrestled.”

Unlike Tuesday night when La Grande had more head-to-head wins but still lost to Pendleton, Ontario came out on top more times throughout the night.

TOURNEY TIME: The La Grande Tigers swimming team will host the district tournament Friday and Saturday. Swimming begins at noon Friday. - CHRIS BAXTER/The Observer

This Friday and Saturday, the top athletes from around the area will be in La Grande for the district swim meet.

LAST STAND: Senior Tara Ludwig and the Elgin girls basketball team defeated Weston-McEwen 38-33 on senior night. Observer file photo

Elgin defeated Weston-McEwen 38-33 on senior night, improving to 8-14 overall and 3-10 in Blue Mountain Conference play.

The Huskies’ defense stifled Weston-McEwen in the fourth quarter. Elgin used a 7-3 advantage in the quarter to seal the game.