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

CORVALLIS BOUND? Anthony Nice (right) and his Tigers teammates can earn a trip to the OSAA Final Eight with a victory tonight versus Molalla. The Tigers (23-1) would play the winner of Marist-Henley at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at Oregon State University. - Observer file photo

The OSAA sweet 16.

The game leading to a trip to Beaver Country.

It starts tonight at 7, as Molalla (13-13) enters La Grande for a battle with your No. 1-ranked Tigers varsity boys basketball team.

Coming to the game?

Arrive early, because it may be standing room only.

And these top-ranked net-blazing Tigers (23-1) are asking the supporting community, students, fans and teachers to wear white.

Lots of white.

 From head to toe. Enough to intimidate the opposition into seeing white flashing in their eyes on the bus ride back home to Molalla.

If the Tigers win, they’ll advance to Oregon State University on Wednesday for an 8:15 matchup versus the winner of Marist-Henley.

But first things first. And that’s stopping Capital Conference Player of the Year Tarance Glynn, who will step onto the Tigers hardwood tonight trying to spoil the La Grande Party.

He signed a letter of intent to play football at Western Oregon.  He’s wirey. He’s athletic.  He’s “a stud,” who rebounds, runs and “does everything for them,” said Tigers coach Aaron Mills.  

But that’s one player.

And the Tigers will not overcommit to Glynn and allow someone else to beat them inside or at the 3-point line.

That means it’s upon the four Tigers seniors, three juniors and six sophomores — “they don’t know the difference between themselves and seniors,” Mills said — to rise to the challenge.

These Tigers have spent lots of time in the playoffs. Two years ago, they were in the state championship game. And in years past, they’ve had their run of success, as well.

The experience will help calm down the nerves when the crowd is roaring, when the referee launches the tip high into the air to start a possible magical run to the state title game.

From the sharp-shooting of Cody McKague to the long arms of Gage Winde to the driving athleticism of Anthony Nice to the post play of Luke Kevan — these Tigers are ready to take on these visiting Indians.

As for the expected crowd? Well, Mills pointed back to a home playoff game versus North Bend a while back — when the Tigers faithful created an intimidating environment for the opposition, and the varsity boys fed off the energy and rolled to victory.

The community responded.

So did the Tigers.

And a white-out tonight could produce similar effects.

“We’ve had great attendance at our games,” Mills said. “And I imagine it’s going to be a full house.”