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

It was like attending a  surprise party — after someone narked to the birthday girl and spoiled everyone’s fun.

No life. No emotion. No atmosphere.

Just a perfectly good time ruined. 

A towel-waving crowd exited disappointed Saturday, as No. 1-seed EOU allowed No. 4 seed-Warner Pacific to escape with an 85-79 Cascade Conference Tournament semifinal victory, spoiling the Quinn Coliseum party. 

PATTON CHARGE: Joseph senior Colby Patton takes the ball up the court during Saturday’s 60-52 win in the Class 1A state championship game against St. Paul. After scoring eight points in two days at the state championship, Patton scored a team-high 12 points in the title game. Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

No one could stop the Eagles.

Twenty-five teams tried during the regular season. Four more fell short in the playoffs.

In the end, Joseph walked away Class 1A state champions.

A 60-52 win against St. Paul made it official Saturday — a 29-0 season.

BAKER — Joseph stood toe to toe against Lowell in the semifinals at the Class 1A State Championships.

The Eagles walked away with a few nicks and bruises, but on top in the most important area — the scoreboard.

A 60-52 win puts Joseph, 28-0 overall, back into the state championship game for the second year in a row.

TIGER POWER: La Grande’s Chrissie Younggren placed fourth in the 200-yard individual medley at the state championship. - Submitted photos

The La Grande swim team on the other hand has dealt with a self-imposed handicap — not swimming year round.

One would think that would cause setbacks to success. But those people would be wrong.

No it’s not a mistake, the Mountaineers defeated Northwest Christian College again.

The two teams met with a simlar outcome from Saturday’s game.

EOU scored 81 points again. Northwest Christian with 58 points.

STANDING TALL: Joseph’s Nicke Parks reels in a rebound during a 62-50 win against Nixyaawii in the state quarterfinals Wednesday. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

The Eagles hung on to defeat Nixyaawii 62-50.

Bodies hit the floor at an alarming rate — and for the most part officials stuck with the no blood, no foul mentality.

WAITING GAME: The Tigers’ Luke Kevan scored 17 points Tuesday night. No. 1-ranked La Grande earned a first-round bye and will open the OSAA playoffs March 8. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

Following the flowers, balloons and pictures the La Grande leaders completed their mission — knocking off Baker 72-57.

Cody McKague battled through injuries and illness to get back for the regular season finale.

DOWN AND OUT: Sheena Henderson had 21 points Tuesday night for the No. 1-seeded Mounties, who will be idle until the March 12 NAIA Division II National Tournament opening round in Sioux City, Iowa. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

“Are we here to win or to tie?”

 Simple, right?

WHAT A NIGHT! Elise Hawes raises twine in celebration Saturday night as EOU won its fifth consecutive Cascade Conference title. The Observer/BRUCE MASON

Six and five-tenths seconds remained. The game was well in hand, in favor of EOU. And here was Lady Mounties basketball coach Anji Weissenfluh, yelling as loud as she could, getting the referee’s attention, getting everyone’s attention, calling timeout.

What was she doing? Who was coming into the game?

Someone deserving. Someone special.