RITTER WARREN is one of three starters returning this season for Union. The Bobcats are 2-3 after the preseason. Observer File Photo

Pilot Rock was the lone team from the conference to advance to the Class 2A State Tournament final site last year. The Rockets fell to the eventual runner-up De La Salle-North 74-55.

The Rockets graduated the Conference Player of the Year, Chance Bandy.

REIGNING PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jessy Reynolds leads an experienced Union team into conference play. Observer file photo

With the pre-conference schedule over, Heppner and Enterprise are atop the conference.

The Outlaws graduated five seniors from last season, including three starters.

The phrase “the show must go on” took on a whole new meaning Saturday night at the Cove basketball tournament.

The Union girls basketball team was playing Cove in the third of four games that were to take place on the day.

The game started right on time as scheduled, with Union grabbing an early 10-2 lead. Then with 2:39 left in the first quarter, one of the referees noticed some water on the floor. The referee looked up at the ceiling and noticed that the roof in the Cove gymnasium was leaking.

ENTERPRISE — Enterprise got off to a fast start at home Tuesday.

The Outlaws girls basketball team used a first quarter burst to defeat Wallowa 46-39.

Enterprise outscored the Cougars 17-8 in the opening quarter.

BAKER CITY — The La Grande swim team had a successful showing at the Baker Invitational Saturday.

The girls team won the meet and the boys placed second.

“This was an excellent first meet for us,” head coach Darren Dutto said. “We had six swimmers with personal bests, which normally doesn’t happen until much later in the season.”

BAKER CITY — The La Grande swim team had a successful showing at the Baker Invitational Saturday.

The girls team won the meet and the boys placed second.

“This was an excellent first meet for us,” head coach Darren Dutto said. “We had six swimmers with personal bests, which normally doesn’t happen until much later in the season.”

TIGER TIME: La Grande’s Connor White made the most of his first trip to the Muilenberg championship match at 130 pounds. The junior took home the first-place medal with a 5-3 overtime win. - GRANT HUDKINS photo

La Grande High School.

White, a La Grande junior, made it to the championships at the 130 pound weight class.

“It’s a tough tournament,” White said. “You have to take care of your body by eating well, and drinking lots of water.

The La Grande wrestling team will host 14 teams from around the region for the Muilenburg Wrestling Tournament Friday and Saturday at LHS.   

MAT MAGIC: La Grande’s Matt Nicholson won by pin fall in a dual against Nyssa Tuesday. The Tigers won nine of their 10 matches against the Bulldogs. Observer file photo

La Grande won nine of its 10 matches, including four by pin fall.

“You couldn’t ask for a much better meet than that,” La Grande head coach Klel Carson said. “The kids just wrestled really well tonight.”

LANE LEAPER: Cove’s Jered Witty drives to the basket for two of his 21 points against Nixyaawi Tuesday. The Leopards fell 83-65, dropping to 0-3 this season. PAUL HARDER/The Observer

“I know it’s something that is frustrating the boys,” Cove head coach Tony White said. “But we’re only five practices into the season. Things just need to be put into perspective.”

The latest loss came against Nixyaawi 83-65 Tuesday in what resembled a track meet as much as it did a basketball game.