JOLTING JOHNSON: Wallowa’s Jake Johnson drives to the basket, helping fuel a 56-26 win Friday. PAUL HARDER/The Observer

The staple of the Cougars success the last four seasons suffered a high-ankle sprain. Despite taking part in pre-game warm-ups, Harshfield was a spectator during Wallowa's 56-26 win.

“We struggled in the opening half,” Cougars guard Jake Johnson said. “Guys were still trying to figure out their role.”

TURNING THE CORNER: Imbler’s Teighlor Mesterheide drives to the basket against Crayson McBride during Saturday’s game. PAUL HARDER/The Observer

The Leopard boys basketball team rebounded from a terrible game Friday to defeat Imbler 57-34.

“Our game against Wallowa was in our minds,” Cove senior Scott DelCurto said. “We wanted to come out strong.”

HOVERING HUSKY: Rochelle Southard and the Huskies split their games over the weekend. Observer file photo

“We played better, but just had too many turnovers tonight to win,” Elgin coach Greg Oveson said.

Heppner used a 9-1 run midway through the first quarter to take a 13-10 lead after one quarter.

MOORE TIME: Dalton Moore and the Huskies had a rough weekend, dropping two games on the weekend. Observer file photo

The Elgin boys basketball team was able to forget about the embarrassing loss to Stanfield Friday night and challenge the top team in the Blue Mountain Conference Saturday.

Elgin fell to Heppner 43-40 Saturday in a game that came down to the wire. With six seconds left in the game, Elgin trailed 41-40.

PAINT TIME: Shayla Powers pulls up for for a jumper in the lane. Observer file photo

“We’re going back to our old habits,” LHS head coach Doug Girdner said about the most recent loss.

La Grande started the game fast, taking an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. Ontario responded by scoring six straight points. LHS led 10-8 after one quarter.

TIGER TOWN: Ryan Tooke helped fuel a fourth quarter push during La Grande’s 48-41 win against Ontario Friday. Observer file photo

With La Grande leading 13-11 with 44 seconds left in the first quarter, the La Grande High School gymnasium went dark.

After about 10 minutes the lights came back on and the game resumed as if nothing had happened.

MILTON-FREEWATWER — The La Grande wrestling team has seen better days. The Tigers lost 54-15 Tuesday night to McLoughlin in a dual meet.

La Grande had four wrestlers out due to disciplinary reasons. Due to these absences, head coach Klel Carson had to shuffle around multiple wrestlers to weight classes they were not accustomed to.

BRYAN MILLS SCORED 15 POINTS Saturday in Imbler’s 58-54 victory over Powder Valley. - Nancy Campbell photo

Mills returned for his first games since injuring his leg during the football season.

Friday, Imbler stayed within reach of Wallowa until the fourth quarter.

EOU ECLIPSE: The Mountaineers women’s basketball team couldn’t get it going against Warner Pacific during a 68-51 loss. Samantha Flett finished with four points abd four rebounds. - CHRIS BAXTER/The Observer

“We just didn’t execute tonight,” EOU head coach Anji Weissenfluh said. “We didn’t shoot well, our defense broke down, we just didn’t execute at all.”

UP FOR AIR: La Grande’s MiKaela O’Rourke presses on during the 500-yard freestyle. O’Rourke posted a personal best in the event. - CHRIS BAXTER/The Observer

Seven seniors received recognition Saturday, as Jacey Childs, Emily Cook, Jessica Daly, Maleah Haynes, Caitlin Lipscomb, Kory Escobar and Jon Mattes all competed in the final regular season home meet of their careers.