La Grande boys claw past Ontario for key 43-41 victory

The La Grande boys basketball team defeated Ontario, 43-41 Friday night in Greater Oregon League action. This is the second time this season LHS had edged the visiting Tigers by two points.

“This was a weird game. We could never really get anything going it seemed,” coach Mark Carollo said.

The home Tigers used an 8-0 run in the first quarter to take an 8-4 lead. Both teams started to find a little more rhythm in the second, but La Grande stayed on top throughout and took a 23-20 lead into halftime.

The game remained tight in the third quarter as Ontario hung around, but a late three-pointer by Michael Humber and a lay-in just before the buzzer by Noah Sofe stretched the LHS lead to 36-30.

“We just weren’t able to get any easy buckets this game. I think the kids had a hard time reacting to changes (by Ontario),” Carollo said.

The visiting Tigers cut the score to 40-38 midway through the fourth quarter, the closest they had been since early in the first. Then with 2:12 remaining, Tony Machuca converted a three-point play to put Ontario up 41-40, but Machuca also received a technical foul on the play.

Humber hit one of two free throws after the technical to tie the game at 41-41.

The game remained tied until Sofe drew a blocking foul with 53.8 remaining and knocked down both free throws to put LHS back on top.

A last-second three-point attempt by Ontario rimmed out and La Grande held on for the win once again.

“I thought we showed a lot of character out there,” Carollo said.

Humber finished with 13 points, while Mavric Goss had nine. Loran Ackerman chipped in with eight, and both Sofe and Seth Madsen had four. Tyson Wicklander added three.

Joe Delgado led Ontario with 17 points, and Aaron Alexander finished with 10.

La Grande had a non-league game against Fruitland Saturday, but fell 54-40 to drop to 9-9 overall this season. But with the win over Ontario, LHS is 4-2 in the GOL and plays host to rival Baker Friday.

The Bulldogs are in first place with a 6-0 mark in league. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at La Grande High School.