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

JOSEPH — See those Timberwolves fleeing Joseph Wednesday?

They were scampering away from an explosion.

An Eagles explosion, that is, as the host Joseph boys varsity basketball team ignited the crowd in the opening minutes en route to an 84-46 relentless torching against those invading Triad Timberwolves from Klamath Falls.

Full-court pressure. Jumping Joseph students. More full-court pressure.

It all led to a Triad trouncing.

And, ultimately, Joseph advancing to the second round of the Oregon Class 1A playoffs.

“Emotionally, I think we were more ready for this game than they were,” said Joseph coach Larry Nall, whose team improved to 19-8.

“Our intent was to come out so hard that they lost their composure.”

Mission accomplished.

How is this for losing composure: Triad committed a double-dribble, two travels, an over- and-back violation and a five-second violation — all within the opening quarter.

Scampering away? More like limping away.

And a lot of it had to do with the Eagles’ pressure.

Here was Eagles junior Erik Steen, leaping in mid-air, deflecting a pass, grabbing it, then dishing to Corby Makin for a breakaway bucket. Here was Steen again, stealing a pass again, breaking away, scoring.

And here was Devin Patton, slicing along the baseline, cutting to the rim, scoring over and over again for 23 points.

Patton, Steen and Makin were like oxidants and fuels. They combined. They combusted.

They smoked the Timberwolves out of Joseph altogether. 

It was 11-0 Eagles within three minutes. Then 25-1 within six and a half minutes.

And, by that point, Joseph players may have been thinking about post-game pizza at Embers.

So how was that explosion?

“That was the most incredible feeling I’ve had in this gym this year,” Patton said, followed by a big smile, then a laugh, adding, “last year, too.

“It was incredible.”

Now these high-flying Eagles will play Saturday at Country Christian, the time still to be determined. Win there, and they will advance to Baker High for the OSAA 1A Final Eight beginning Feb. 28.

One win down. Four to go. 

Any thoughts on the next opponent, Mr. Patton?

 “Country Christian (23-2) is good,” he said. “They’re undefeated against 1A (schools).”

Then without hesitation, he said ...

“And I think we’ve got a shot at them.”

TRIAD (46)

Peterson 0 2-3 2, E.Smith 5 1-2 11, J.Ovgard 2 0-0 4, Moore 0 0-0 0, S.Smith 0 0-0 0, L.Ovgard 1 1-2 3, Frentzko 2 2-3 6, Elliot 2 0-0 6, Reese 1 1-4 3, Trumbull 3 0-0 8, Lyman 0 1-2 1, Nilsson 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 8-16 46.

JOSEPH (84)

Garrett 0 0-0 0, Harshman 4 0-0 11, Watson 0 0-0 0, Martin 0 0-0 0, Lathrop 1 0-0 2, Shetler 2 1-2 6, Touray 3 0-2 6, Steen 6 1-1 14, Baynes 0 1-2 1, Makin 6 5-6 17, Patton 11 1-2 23, Hurley 2 0-0 4. Totals 33 9-15 84.

Triad    2    18    17    9 – 46

Joseph    28    22    15    19 – 84

3-point goals: Triad, Elliot 2, Trumbull 2; Joseph, Harshman 3, Shetler, Steen.