By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

The 1A girls basketball season officially began for the Crane Mustangs on Dec. 1. Like all the other 1A basketball teams in the state, the Mustangs’ ultimate goal was to play their last game on March 6, in one of the trophy rounds of the OSAA state tournament in Baker City. Crane not only made it to the final possible day of action for the 2009-2010 season, they claimed the third-place trophy for the year.

At the state tournament in Baker City, the Mustangs defeated McKenzie in the quarterfinals, lost to Helix in the semi-finals, and then downed Mohawk for third place. Throughout the tournament Natalie Bentz was recognized as the Qwest Player of the Game in both the McKenzie and Mohawk games, and Brenda Otley was selected for player of the game against Helix.

In addition, Bentz was named to the all-tournament first team. September O’Crowley earned placement on the all-tournament second team.

Crane vs. McKenzie

The Mustangs quarter-final victory against the McKenzie Eagles had Crane coming out on top, 51-44.

The Mustangs were first to score after a Brenda Otley steal set up an Emilee O’Toole assist to Natalie Bentz in the paint. Crane had a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, with the Eagles hitting two 3-pointers to keep in the running.

Three more 3-point shots by the Eagles at the opening of the second quarter had the teams even at the midway point in the period. Once the Mustangs stopped the Eagles’ outside attack they were able to pull back to a 28-20 lead going into the half.

Bentz and September O’Crowley picked off the ball at the top of McKenzie’s key, going all the way to the net on the other end at the beginning of the third. The Eagles tried a full-court press, but Crane pushed through to take a 45-30 lead into the final quarter.

The Eagles almost had a chance to take the game away after a let down by the Mustangs in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. While McKenzie downed 12 unanswered points, Crane didn’t hit a shot, committed four rebounds and racked up their seventh team foul for the half. At 1:45, another Eagle 3-point shot put the score at 45-42. Finally, at 1:25 Brooke Nyman made Crane’s first point of the fourth, hitting the front of a shooting foul. She, Otley and Buermann finished the game shooting foul shots, making four out of five.

1    2    3    4   Final
Cra     13  15   17   6      51
McK     7  13   10   14     44
OSAA official stats:
Points — Bentz 18, Otley 9, O’Crowley 8, O’Toole 7, Buermann 6, Nyman 3.
Rebounds — Bentz 11, O’Crowley 9, Buermann 2, O’Toole 2, Nyman 2, Otley 1.
Steals — Otley 2, O’Crowley 2, Bentz 1, O’Toole 1.
Assists — Buermann 3, O’Toole 3, O’Crowley 2, Otley 1.

Crane vs. Helix

It just never came together for the Mustangs in the semi-final game against the Helix Grizzlies. Crane started the game off track, was never able to get pointed in the right direction and took a 42-34 loss.

The Mustangs only hit two shots in the first quarter — both were Bentz baskets. By halftime, they had taken a slight, two-point lead, 14-12.

The third quarter proved to be the Mustangs’ undoing. After baskets by  Otley and Buermann, Crane’s defense let Helix nail nine points in a row. Emilee O’Toole downed a bucket for Crane in the middle of the period, but four more for the Grizzlies made the score 30-22 in Helix’s favor as the fourth quarter began.

The Grizzlies spread their offense, using up clock to start the fourth. Crane got the first five points of the fourth on an O’Crowley bucket and an O’Toole basket with a foul attached. After the initial run, the Mustangs lost the intensity again, and let the Grizzlies finish the win.
1    2    3    4   Final
Cra     4   10    8   12     34
Hel     6    6   18   12     42
OSAA official stats:
Points — Bentz 7, O’Toole 7, O’Crowley 7, Buermann 5, Otley 5, Nyman 3.
Rebounds — Bentz 9, O’Crowley 8, Otley 4, O’Toole 3, Nyman 3, Buermann 1.
Steals — O’Crowley 2.
Assists — O’Toole 3, O’Crowley 2, Buermann 1, Bentz 1.

Crane vs.  Mohawk

After suffering through the semi-finals the day before, the Mustangs found third/fifth-place game, and overpowered the Mohawk Indians 63-39.

In spite of four missed shots inside the key in the opening quarter, Crane had the upper hand controlling the boards on both ends. In the first quarter, the Mustangs recording rebounds were Buermann (2) O’Crowley (4), Bentz (1) and Nyman (1).

The shots started to fall during the second quarter for Crane, and as a team, they hit for 19 points. Going to halftime, the Mustangs had a 27-13 advantage over the Indians.

Picking up at the top of the third quarter exactly where they left off at the end of the second, Bentz scored on Crane’s opening possession of the period. Buermann and O’Crowley both hit put-back shots, and then two Otley buckets outside kept the ball rolling. To start the fourth, the Mustangs were ahead 51-23.

Nyman, O’Crowley and Bentz scored their final baskets of their high school careers at the beginning of the final quarter. Fellow senior Savannah Duff came into the game and got one final point as well, hitting the back end of a shooting foul. With just under four minutes remaining, the starters left the floor, and Crane’s bench ended the season.
1    2    3    4   Final
Cra     8  19   24   12      63
Moh    6   7    10   16      39
OSAA official stats:
Points — Na. Bentz 22, O’Crowley 18, Otley 6, Buermann 5, O’Toole 4, Nyman 4, Landon 2, Duff 1, Steeves 1.
Rebounds — Na. Bentz 12, O’Crowley 9, Buermann 7, Nyman 4, Steeves 3, Landon 2, Duff 2, Corrigan 1, Otley 1.
Steals — O’Crowley 1.
Assists — Nyman 3, O’Crowley 3, Buermann 2, Na. Bentz 2, O’Toole 1, Otley 1, Duff 1.

Ribeiro named to All-Tourney team

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns girls basketball team capped off another successful season with a fifth-place finish at the OSAA Class 3A state tournament held March 3-6 at Willamette University in Salem.

The Hilanders also earned the Sportsmanship Trophy at this year’s event.

In their first game of the tournament, the Hilanders took on a gritty Rainier squad that was determined to keep the pace slow.

With both teams playing a zone defense, baskets were hard to come by, and the first quarter ended with the teams tied at 5-5.

The Hilanders’ Brea Ribeiro and Taylor Lee each dropped in four points in the second stanza to help Burns get out to a five-point lead by halftime.

The scoring almost came to a complete standstill in the third quarter as the two teams combined for only five points.

Ribeiro sparked the Hilanders’ offense with a 3-pointer and a field goal in the fourth quarter as the Hilanders pulled away for a 27-19 win.

Ribeiro and Lee each finished with nine points to lead Burns in scoring, and Ribeiro was named the Hilanders’ Qwest Player of the Game.

Burns— Brea Ribeiro 9, Taylor Lee 9, Siegner 3, Ja. Higle 2, Root 2, McConnell 2, Nonnenmacher, Dinsmore, Johnson. Totals 9-29 8-13 27.
Rain— Kaylea Knox 10, K. Crape 4, Nagunst 3, Schwegler 1, Coffman 1, Sutfin, H. Crape. Totals 7-34 2-10 19
3-point goals: BURNS 1 (Ribeiro); RAIN 3 (Knox 2). Rebounds: BURNS 30 (Lee 8); RAIN 24 (Schwegler 5, K. Crape 5, Knox 5). Assists: BURNS 3 (Nonnenmacher 1, Higle 1, Siegner 1); RAIN 3 (Nagunst 2).
1    2    3    4   Final
Bur      5   8    2    12     27
Rain    5   3    3     8      19

Burns vs. Regis
The Hilanders hopes for a second consecutive state title came to end in the semifinals as they lost to the Regis Rams 44-29.
The first quarter belonged to the Rams as they jumped out to a 16-6 lead.

The Burns defense tightened up in the second quarter, allowing just one field goal as the Hilanders cut the lead to two by halftime.
The Burns offense struggled again at the start of the third quarter, but caught a little bit of a lift as Teri McConnell came off the bench and sank a couple of baskets to keep Burns to within seven.

The Rams would let the Hilanders get no closer however, as they outscored Burns 17-9 in the final quarter to move into the championship game while sending Burns into the third-place game.

Lee finished with 10 points and five rebounds to lead the team in both categories, and was named Burns’ Qwest Player of the Game.

Burns— Taylor Lee 10, McConnell 6, Ja. Higle 5, Ribeiro 4, Nonnenmacher 2, Johnson 2, Dinsmore, Fisher, Je. Higle, Siegner, Hodge. Totals 12-38 4-8 29.
Regis— Kasse Keudell 14, B. Buck 13, Koenke 7, Gescher 4, Dolby 2, R. Buck 2, Alley 2, Webb, Lulay, Reynolds. Totals 13-29 16-22 44
3-point goals: BURNS 1 (Ja. Higle); REGIS 2 (Kuedell 2). Rebounds: BURNS 22 (Lee 5); REGIS 22 (B. Buck 8). Assists: BURNS 4 (Ja. Higle 1, Dinsmore 1, Lee 1, Ribeiro 1); REGIS 8 (Koenke 5).
1    2    3    4   Final
Bur      6   10   4    9     29
Reg    16    2    9   17    44

Burns vs. Santiam Christian
In the game to determine third and fifth places at the tournament, the Hilanders and Eagles both got off to good starts.

Ribeiro and Lee each scored four points in the first quarter as the two teams finished the period tied at 12-12.

Burns’ offense more or less disappeared in the second quarter as they were held to just four free throws over the eight minute span.
Santiam Christian, led by Tayla Woods’ 10 points, put 16 on the board to take a 12-point halftime lead.

The Hilanders’ shooting woes continued into the second half as they connected on just five of 29 attempts from the field, and finished the game shooting only 22.2 percent.

Woods went on to score another 16 points in the second half to lead her team to the win.

Ribeiro finished with 11 points to lead the Hilanders and was named the Qwest Player of the Game for Burns.

Ribeiro was also named to the All-Tournament Second Team for her performance over the three games.

“It was a good season,” Burns coach Alice Herauf said. “A lot of people just look at the end result and forget about the journey to get there.”

Herauf pointed out that the team had won the Cascade Christian and La Pine tournaments during the season, were Eastern Oregon League champions, received the Sportsmanship award and also had the highest team grade point average among 3A teams in the Dairy Farmers of Oregon academic standings. “This season had a lot of good memories,” Herauf said.

S.C.— Tayla Woods 30, Davis 9, Land 5, Herrold 4, D. Woods 3, Waite 1, Henricks, Miller, Chambers, Mathews. Totals 17-41 17-23 52.
Burns— Brea Ribeiro 11, Lee 6, Ja. Higle 4, Johnson 4, Siegner 3, Nonnenmacher 2, Dinsmore 2, Fisher, McConnell, Hodge, Sanders. Totals 10-45 11-16 32
3-point goals: S.C. 1 (Davis); BURNS 1 (Ribeiro). Rebounds: S.C. 27 (Davis 6); Burns 35 (Lee 7, Siegner 7). Assists: S.C. 9 (Land 7); BURNS 9 (Nonnenmacher 3).
1    2     3    4   Final
S.C.     12   16  13   11    52
Bur     12    4    8     8    32

Regis won the tournament by defeating Vale 52-39. Fourth place this year went to Willamina, a 51-48 winner over Coquille.

Colahan, team set new tourney records for blocks

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The 30-year drought is over.

For the first time since 1980, the Burns boys basketball team returned home from the OSAA state basketball tournament with a trophy in hand.

The Hilanders went 1-2 and placed sixth at this year’s Class 3A tournament played March 4-6 at Willamette University in Salem.

Burns opened the tournament with the daunting task of trying to knock off the No. 1-ranked Dayton Pirates.

The Hilanders fell behind 35-21 in the first half, but came out inspired in the third quarter. Two 3-pointers by Caleb Feist and one by Zach Dobson helped the Hilanders chip away at the Pirates’ lead. A basket by Dylan Thompson then cut Dayton’s lead to 44-37, but Dayton responded with a 9-0 run to go back up by 16 by the end of the quarter.

The Pirates then outscored Burns 21-13 over the final eight minutes for a 76-52 win.

Feist finished with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and was named the Qwest Player of the Game for the Hilanders. Dobson and Carraig Colahan each added nine points for the Hilanders.

Jacob Gonzales came off the bench to lead the Pirates to the win, finishing with 17 points.

Burns— Caleb Feist 16, Dobson 9, Colahan 9, D. Thompson 7, Potter 6, McConnell 3, First Raised 2, C. Thompson, Heinz. Totals 20-49 6-11 52.
Day— Jacob Gonzales 17, Craig 13, T. Bernards 10, Ostling 10, Hedgecock 7, N. Bernards 6, Hernandez 5, Kruchok 3, Flores, Coleman, Garcia. Totals 31-54 12-17 76
3-point goals: BURNS 6 (Feist 4); DAY 2 (Hedgecock 1, Gonzales 1). Rebounds: BURNS 26 (Dobson 5, McConnell 5); DAY 33 (Hedgecock 6). Assists: BURNS 7 (Potter 2, D. Thompson 2); DAY 19 (T. Bernards 6)
1    2    3    4   Final
Bur     9   12   18   13     52
Day    16  19   20   21     76

Burns vs. Warrenton
The Hilanders bounced back from the Dayton loss the following morning with a 46-38 win over Warrenton to advance to the consolation finals.

Colahan was a force on the inside for Burns, setting a new 3A state tournament record for blocks with six, and the Hilanders as a team set a new record for blocks as well with eight.

After leading by two at the end of the first quarter, Colahan scored six points in the second quarter and D. Thompson added four to help Burns go up 22-12 by halftime.

The Warriors cut the lead to eight by the end of the third quarter, but the fourth quarter was even, and the Hilanders walked away with the win.

D. Thompson finished with 16 points and Colahan recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Colahan was also named the Qwest Player of the Game for Burns.

Warr— Cameron Hackwith 13, Jannusch 5, Sleutel 5, Morrison 4, Patterson 4, Ferrell 3, Johnson 2, Kerr 2. Totals 16-47 5-11 38.
Burns— D. Thompson 16,  Colahan 11, Potter 6, Feist 5, Dobson 4, Heinz 3, McConnell 1, C. Thompson, Adams, Stampke, First Raised. Totals 17-46 10-25 46
3-point goals: WARR 1 (Sleutel); BURNS 2 (Feist 1, D. Thompson 1). Rebounds: WARR 34 (Hackwith 12); BURNS 36 (Colahan 12). Assists: WARR 5 (Patterson 3); BURNS 9 (Dobson 3)
1    2    3    4   Final
War     6    6   11   15     38
Bur     8   14   9    15     46

Burns vs. Cascade Christian
In the consolation finals, Cascade Christian outscored Burns 35-26 in the second half to pull out a 55-44 victory.

The first half was close throughout, and by the time halftime rolled around, the Challengers were up by two.

Cascade Christian upped their lead to six by the end of the third quarter, and then outscored Burns 19-14 in the fourth quarter to get the win.

The Challengers were led by Colton Cochran who scored 26 points, including 18 in the second half. With the victory, the Challengers placed fourth in the tournament.

D. Thompson finished with 15 points to lead the Hilanders in scoring, Dobson added 12 and Colahan finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Colahan was also named the Qwest Player of the Game for the second time.

Burns— D. Thompson 15, Dobson 12, Colahan 11, Feist 2, Potter 2, C. Thompson 2, McConnell, Heinz, Adams, First Raised. Totals 13-36 15-25 44.
C.C.— Colton Cochran 26, Rasmussen 9, Joffer 8, Morse 6, Litton 4, M. Smith 2, Hoffman, Siliga, Marshall, Wipf, A. Smith. Totals 18-42 18-26 55
3-point goals: BURNS 3 (D. Thompson 2); C.C. 1 (Joffer). Rebounds: BURNS 28 (Colahan 7); C.C. 32 (Cochran 11). Assists: BURNS 7 (Feist 3); C.C. 8 (Cochran 3)
1    2    3    4   Final
Bur      9    9   12   14     44
C.C.    10  10   16   19     55

Horizon Christian took home the championship trophy by defeating Dayton 53-44 in the title game.
Nyssa placed third after downing Harrisburg 52-35.

Crane places third in 2A/1A tourney

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

Sports fans sometimes marvel when a team completes a “three-peat,” so it’s hard to comprehend what those same fans are thinking when they look at the Burns wrestlers’ “three-peat” squared.

With Dallas Root winning the 125-pound weight division and George Swartzlender man-handling his opponents at 285 pounds, the Hilanders totaled 210.5 points to win their ninth consecutive 3A team title at the OSAA State Wrestling Championships Feb. 26-27 at Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

Reedsport placed second in the team standings with 172.5 points, followed by Gold Beach with 103, Colton 93, Glide 88, Myrtle Point 86, Nyssa 82.5, Willamina 71, Riverside 60 and Rogue River 55 in the top 10.

The Hilanders sent 15 wrestlers on to the state tournament from the district tournament, and 12 of the 15 ended up placing in the top six of their weight classes.

Along with Root and Swartzlender winning gold medals, Chance Peasley and Raymond Wright both placed second, Brendan Palmer and Jake Swindlehurst took third, AJ Swartzlender and Landon Hanner fourth, Brennan Bailey, Cody Bennett and Jay Masterson fifth and Kenny Withee sixth.

Jay Cate, Jake White and Tyler Foster also competed for Burns, but did not place.

Burns head coach Mark Hofman was named 3A Coach of the Year and was recognized along with his assistant coaches Ray Cate, Dally Swindlehurst, Mike Ribeiro and Ben Cate.

No school in Oregon had won eight consecutive state titles in any sport before the Hilanders achieved that feat in wrestling last year. Now the record is nine.

•••

The Crane Mustangs racked up 81 points and brought home the third-place trophy from the 2A/1A state wrestling tournament held Feb. 26-27 at Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

Culver took the top spot in the 2A/1A tournament with 139.5 points, followed by Lowell with 95, Crane, Scio 80.5, Nestucca and Siletz Valley 48, Pine Eagle 45, Riddle 40.5, Irrigon 38 and North Lake 37 in the top 10.

Top finishers for the Mustangs were 103-pounder Wyatt Clark and Lewis Whiting at 130 pounds who both finished second.
Josh Williams earned a third-place finish, and Mitch Wilson, Zach Cody and Greg Thompson placed fourth.

Also competing for Crane were Thomas O’Toole, Lizzy Davis, Gus Titus, Tanner Titus and Kenny Haworth.

Crane coach David Doman was honored as 2A/1A Coach of the Year, along with assistant coaches Jeremy Clark and Jerry Holloway.

Round-by-round match results for Burns and Crane wrestlers are as follows:

103 — Wyatt Clark (C) won by fall 3:25; won by fall 5:38; lost by fall 3:12.
Thomas O’Toole (C) lost by fall 3:05; won by fall :42; lost by fall 2:40.

112 — Jay Cate (B) bye; lost by fall 3:53; won by decision 7-2; lost by fall 1:33.
Mitch Wilson (C) bye; lost by fall 1:12; won by fall 3:21; lost by decision 11-7.
Lizzy Davis (C) lost by fall 1:57; won by fall :50; lost by fall 3:21.

119 — Brennan Bailey (B) lost by technical fall 5:56; won by decision 9-4; won by major decision 12-4; lost by decision 10-6; won by major decision 12-1.

125 — Dallas Root (B) won by fall 4:53; won by fall 5:01; won by decision 6-4 OT; won by decision 1-0.
Gus Titus (C) lost by decision 10-8; won by fall 3:36; lost by major decision 18-7.

130 — Cody Bennett (B) won by fall 3:43; lost by decision 3-2; won by major decision 13-3; won by fall 1:11; lost by decision 6-6; won by fall 3:10.
Lewis Whiting (C) won by fall 3:16; won by decision 10-7; lost by fall 3:54.

135 — Chance Peasley (B) won by fall 3:10; won by fall 2:41; won by injury forfeit; lost by fall :58.
Zach Cody (C) lost by decision 6-3; won by decision 3-2 OT; won by decision 4-3; lost by decision 7-2.

140 — Jay Masterson (B) lost by decision 9-4; won by fall 2:17; won by fall 2:07; lost by decision 5-2; won by fall 2:45.
Brendan Palmer (B) won by technical fall 2:59; won by fall :54; lost by decision 7-4; won by decision 5-2; won by technical fall 4:26.
Greg Thompson (C) won by fall 3:37; lost by decision 2-1; won by decision 9-4; lost by decision 6-3.
Tanner Titus (C) lost by fall 5:02; lost by major decision17-3.

145 — Josh Williams (C) won by major decision 12-1; lost by major decision 11-1; won by fall 4:02; won by decision 8-7.

152 — Jake White (B) lost by decision 11-5; lost by decision 4-2 OT.
Kenny Haworth (C) won by fall 3:09; lost by decision 12-10; lost by fall :53.

160 — AJ Swartzlender (B) won by fall 2:41; won by fall 1:59; lost by decision 2-1; won by fall 2:15; lost by decision 6-4.
Raymond Wright (B) won by fall 3:00; won by decision 6-0; won by decision 8-4; lost by fall 4:33.
Tyler Foster (B) lost by fall 1:53; lost by decision 6-1.

171 — Jake Swindlehurst (B) won by decision 8-2; won by decision 9-4; lost by fall 2:33; won by decision 5-2; won by technical fall 4:22.

189 — Kenny Withee (B) lost by decision 7-1; won by fall 2:16; won by forfeit; lost by decision 5-1; lost by major decision 12-3.

215 — Landon Hanner (B) won by decision 5-1; won by fall 2:43; lost by decision 5-4; won by decision 8-6; lost by major decision 11-2.

285 — George Swartzlender (B) bye; won by fall 5:48; won by decision 9-2; won by decision 5-2.

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

For three quarters of play, the boys varsity game between Burns and Grant Union looked like it could go either way. But the final eight minutes belonged to the Hilanders as they outscored the Prospectors 20-5 for a 68-46 win.

After leading by five at halftime, the Hilanders started the third quarter with a 9-0 run to go up by 14. Grant Union fought back to come to within 10 with less than a minute to play in the quarter, and a 3-point basket by Ian Averette in the final seconds shaved the lead to seven.

Any thoughts of the Prospectors coming back to win were put to rest early in the fourth quarter as Zach Dobson drilled back-to-back 3-pointers from the right corner, and Caleb Feist scored eight of his game-high 18 points by slashing to the basket.

The Hilanders’ defense also did their job in the final stanza, holding Grant Union to just two field goals.

With Grant Union concentrating on stopping Feist and Carraig Colahan, the Burns offense got a big lift from Dylan Thompson in the first half.

After being knocked to the floor by an elbow in the first quarter, Thompson caught fire. He sank three field goals and a 3-pointer before the quarter ended, and then added another six points in the second period.

Joining Feist and Thompson in double figures were Dobson with 16 points and Colahan with 11. Gus McConnell added three points, Kieran Colahan and Zach Adams two each, and Cole Potter one.

Dillon Porter finished with 15 points to lead Grant Union and Averett added 11.

The win upped the Hilanders overall record to 14-9, and their league record to 8-1. Grant Union fell to 2-7 in league, 8-13 overall.

Burns hosted Nyssa on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the final league game of the season, a contest which would determine this year’s league champion. Results of the game were not available by press time.

Burns has qualified for the state playoffs that begin on Saturday, Feb. 27.

1    2    3    4     Final
G.U.    16  12  13    5     46
Bur     14  19  15   20    68

•••

The Burns girls varsity basketball team clinched the Eastern Oregon League (EOL) title with a 55-20 win over Grant Union on Friday, Feb. 12, at Burns High School.

After leading by six at the end of the first quarter, the Hilanders stepped up the defensive pressure, and outscored the Prospectors 16-2 over the next minutes to take a 20-point lead into halftime.

It was more of the same after the break as Burns held Grant Union to just three field goals in the second half on their way to the victory.

With three players out because of injuries, the Prospectors were worn down early as Burns rotated players in and out to keep up the pace of the game.

The Hilanders’ scoring attack was led by Jamie Higle with 13 points and Brea Ribeiro with 12.

Higle also led the team in steals with five, while Selene Johnson had a team-high nine rebounds.

Mackinsey Nash led the Prospectors with seven points.

The win raises the Hilanders’ EOL record to 8-1, and they are 20-2 overall. Grant Union dropped to 2-7 in league, 7-15 on the season.

Burns hosted Nyssa on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the final league game for both teams, but results were not available by press time.

By winning the EOL, the Hilanders will host a first-round state playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 27. They will host the No. 3 team from the Pac-West League. The winner of that contest advances to the state tournament March 3-6 at Willamette University in Salem.

1    2    3    4     Final
G.U.     7    2    5    6     20
Bur    13   16  10  16    55

Points — Ja. Higle 13, Ribeiro 12, Lee 9, Nonnenmacher 4, Siegner 4, Johnson 3, Root 2, Dinsmore 2, Je. Higle 2, Fisher 2, McConnell 2.
Rebounds — Johnson 9, Ja. Higle 7, Lee 7, Siegner 5, Root 3, Hodge 2, McConnell 2, Dinsmore 1, Je. Higle 1, Fisher 1.
Steals — Ja. Higle 5, Dinsmore 3, Ribeiro 2, Lee 2, Fisher 1, Nonnenmacher, Root 1, Siegner 1, Hodge 1.
Assists — Ja. Higle 5, Dinsmore 2, Ribeiro 2, Johnson 2, Je. Higle 1, Nonnenmacher 1, McConnell 1, Siegner 1, Sanders 1.

Mustangs finish up regular season this weekend with two games

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

The Crane Mustang girls varsity was busy last week, playing three league games in three nights, winning all three.

On Thursday, the Mustangs had a chance to avenge their only loss of the year as they hosted the Adrian Antelopes — and avenge they did. In January, Crane lost to Adrian by one basket, 39-37. At this meeting the Mustangs came out on top, 50-40.

The Mustangs fell behind at the opening of the game, missing shots underneath, while allowing Adrian’s exchange student Letizia Bordoli to score at will. Crane trailed by seven points at the end of the first quarter, 17-10, and was still behind by seven at halftime, 26-19.

Coming onto the court in the third, the Mustangs had stepped up their level of play on both ends of the court. September O’Crowley and Brooke Nyman picked off steals that were converted to baskets, and Hannah Buermann and Brenda Otley scored as the Mustangs ran their offense. With 1:20 left on the third quarter clock, Crane took their first lead of the game, and the fourth quarter began with the Mustangs leading 35-32.

Crane’s momentum carried into the fourth, with Natalie Bentz getting open for a shot from the field and a fast break. The Mustangs were up by 10 points, when the Antelopes hit both shots of a shooting foul, and followed it with a 3-pointer the next time down the floor. With two minutes to play, the score was 44-37, and Adrian went to a full-court press. During the last two minutes, Buermann, O’Crowley and Nyman made two free throws each to keep the Mustangs in the lead.

Emilee O’Toole recorded five assists in the game, giving her teammates the chance to score.

Crane had three players hit double digits — Bentz with 14 points and Buermann and O’Crowley made 11 each.

1    2    3    4     Final
Cra     10   9   16   15     50
Adr     17   9    6     8     40

Points — O’Crowley 14, Buermann 11, O’Crowley 11, Nyman 8, O’Toole 4, Otley 2.
Rebounds — Bentz 9, O’Crowley 7, Otley 4, O’Toole 3, Nyman 1, Buermann 1.
Steals — O’Crowley 7, Buermann 2, Bentz 1, Nyman 1, O’Toole 1, Otley 1.
Assists —O’Toole 5, Buermann 4, O’Crowley 3, Bentz 2.
•••
Crane’s 53-34 win over the Prairie City Panthers on Friday started out with steal and a lay-in by O’Crowley. Before the first quarter ended, the Mustangs had picked off the ball seven times — Otley had three steals in the quarter, Bentz grabbed two and Buermann and O’Crowley one each. All but one of the steals gave the Mustangs an opportunity to score, and as the second quarter began, Crane was ahead 20-5.

Prairie City and the Mustangs matched point for point through the second quarter, until the last two minutes. Savannah Duff hit a shot inside, and as the Panthers went to offense, Buermann stole the ball. The steal gave O’Toole a chance to nail a 3-pointer, and then the next trip down the court, O’Toole scored again in the paint. At the half, Crane led 35-14.

During the third quarter, and the top of the fourth, the Mustangs spread their lead to 30 points, leading 52-22. With five and one-half minutes to go in the game, Crane’s bench took the court. Cassidy Corrigan pulled down three rebounds and Paige Landon blocked a Panther shot, while Nichole Bentz added one point to the Mustangs’ total.

O’Crowley was Crane’s top scorer, hitting for 19 points with Na. Bentz putting in 11.

1    2    3    4     Final
Cra     20 15   11    7       53
PC       5    9    8    12      34

Points — O’Crowley 19, Na. Bentz 11, Otley 7, O’Toole 7, Buermann 6, Duff 2, Ni. Bentz 1.
Rebounds — O’Crowley 9, Buermann 5, O’Toole 3, Corrigan 3, Nyman 2, Na. Bentz 1, Duff 1, Steeves 1.
Steals — Na. Bentz 6, Otley 4, O’Crowley 2, Buermann 2, O’Toole 2.
Blocked shot — Landon 1.
•••
For their final game of the weekend, the Mustangs traveled to Monument to play the Dayville/Monument Tigers.

Crane brought home a 38-14 win, with the starting five seeing only one full quarter of action, and the backup players getting time on the court.

Individual scoring was not available for the Mustang win.

This week will wrap up the regular season for Crane, as they travel to Jordan Valley on Friday. Feb. 12,  and host Huntington on Saturday, Feb.13.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Accumulating 221.5 team points, the Crane Mustang wrestlers took first place in the 2010 State 1A Tournament held in Crane on Jan. 23. The Mustangs had 12 individuals wrestle in the championship matches, five wrestle for third and fourth, and three compete for fifth and sixth. At the end of the day, Crane picked up three championships — Wyatt Clark, 103; Gus Titus, 125; and Greg Thompson, 140.

Pine Eagle took second place in team competition, with Lowell placing third, North Lake coming in fourth and Imbler placing fifth. Adrian took sixth place, Gilchrist finished in seventh, McKenzie placed eighth and Huntington was ninth.

Placings by weight class follow.

103
1st: Wyatt Clark, Crane 2-0
2nd: Thomas O’Toole, Crane 1-1
3rd: Michael Waff, Lowell 1-1
4th: Zach Howell, Imbler 0-2

112
1st: Andrew Miles, North Lake 1-0
2nd:  Mitch Willson, Crane 1-1
3rd: Peter Blacketer, Gilchrist 0-1

119
1st: AJ Plummer, Imbler 2-0
2nd: Devin Thorn, Pine Eagle 1-1
3rd: David Ward, North Lake 2-1
4th: Elizabeth Davis, Crane 1-2
5th: Josh Ness, McKenzie 0-2

125
1st: Gus Titus, Crane 2-0
2nd: Matt Davis, Crane 1-1
3rd: Chaeden Leubberke, Pine Eagle 1-1
4th: Jaden Bales, Imbler 0-2

130
1st: Avery Overton, North lake 2-0
2nd: Lewis Whiting, Crane 2-1
3rd: Cody Davis, Crane 3-1
4th: Jake Wilde, Adrian 1-2
5th: Cole Noyes, Imbler 2-2

135
1st: Jaxon Ward, Lowell 3-0
2nd: Zach Cody, Crane 2-1
3rd: Mark Ishida, Adrian 3-1
4th: Dan O’Crowley, Crane 2-2
5th: Charlie McCullogh, Pine Eagle 2-2
6th: Paul Bubnash, Crane 1-3

140
1st: Greg Thompson, Crane 1-0
2nd: Tanner Titus, Crane 1-1
3rd: Jesse Lawrence, Pine Eagle 0-1

145
1st: Kyle Riggs, Lowell 2-0
2nd: Josh Williams, Crane 1-1
3rd: Cody Powell, Pine Eagle 2-1
4th: Sam Stone, Crane 1-1
5th: Cory Hartman, Adrian 0-2

152
1st: Boone Casarez, Lowell 2-0
2nd: Kenny Haworth, Crane 2-1
3rd: Kipp Miller Pine Eagle 3-1
4th: Nathan Tanaka, Pine Eagle 2-1
5th: Nicco Cash, Lowell 1-1
6th: Max Casarez, Lowell 1-3

160
1st: Kyle Dennis, Pine Eagle 3-0
2nd: Kamren Demarce, Lowell 2-1
3rd: Kaniel Lode, Adrian 3-1
4th: Justin Davis, Crane 2-2
5th: Ethan Rux, McKenzie 2-2
6th: Cash Casey, Crane 1-3

171
1st: Zac Cardwell, Lowell 3-0
2nd: Richie Gonzales, Pine Eagle 2-1
3rd: Matt Miller, Crane 3-1
4th: Taylor Bryant, North Lake 2-2
5th: TJ Ruth, Imbler 2-2
6th: Ian Maxwell, Gilchrist 1-3

189
1st: James Prechtl, Adrian 3-0
2nd: Cody Worthington, North Lake 2-1
3rd: Austin Prenevost, Lowell 2-1
4th: Spencer Waterland, Pine Eagle 2-2
5th: Troy Shaffner, Gilchrist 2-2
6th: D’Kota Milburn, Huntington 1-3

215
1st: Lucas Powell, Pine Eagle 2–0
2nd: Vern Garrett, Pine Eagle 2-1
3rd: Clint Bates, Imbler 3-1
4th: Rowdy Graves, Imbler 2-2
5th: Ben Huerta, Crane 2-2
6th: Michael Thompson, Gilchrist 0-3

275
1st: Daniel Minarich, Pine Eagle 2-0
2nd: Donald McDermond, Crane 1-1
3rd: Henry Konoho, Imbler 2-1
4th: Josh Seiler, McKenzie 1-2
5th: Sheridan McGinnis, Lowell 0-2

By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Burns High School gymnasium will be teeming with more than 100 young wrestlers as the Hi Desert Mat Club hosts the Les Schwab Buckle Classic wrestling tournament.

Tournament organizers are expecting competitors from Roseburg, Pleasant Hill, Redmond, Bend, Prineville, Madras and Western Idaho, weather permitting.

This is the only tournament to be held in Burns this winter, and the wrestlers will be handsomely rewarded. Each weight class winner will receive a Montana Silversmiths belt buckle and every competitor will take home a medal.

The mat club

Started about 30 years ago, the Hi Desert Mat Club is still going strong with around 75 kids, aged 3 to 13, taking part this year.

The club is part of USA Wrestling, and is organized locally by a board of directors, who this year include president Lisa King, vice president Penny Peasley, secretary Laura Moulton, treasurer Lori Bailey and tournament director Geoff Robinson.

Coaches for the team this year include co-head coaches Dan Gonzales and Doug Gunderson, Mike Simpson, Jay Winn, Ed Moulton, Matt King, Darryl Williams, Kenny Peasley, Brad Barnes and Robinson.

The season usually begins in late October, once youth football is over, and wraps up with the state tournament in early February.

Although the club has remained viable, the main challenges the board faces are the use of a facility and borrowing mats. This year, the club split into two groups, with the more experienced wrestlers using the high school practice area, and the others practicing at the Burns Armory on mats borrowed from Hines Middle School. “But now junior high wrestling has started, so the mats have been moved to the gym at the schools district office building and that’s where they practice,” Bailey said.

King added that a mother of a wrestler is working on a grant so the club can purchase their own mats. “If we could find a permanent facility and buy our own mats, that would help a lot,” she said.

The club is open to all Harney County youth, and the board has also discussed the possibility of organizing a shuttle between Burns and Crane to ease the transportation load on Crane parents if their kids want to participate.

Wrestling success

With the Burns Hilanders having won eight consecutive 3A state wrestling titles, and the Crane Mustangs becoming an annual contender in the 1A ranks, it’s easy to see the connection between the mat club and the success at the high school level.

Robinson said the young kids idolize the high school team, and that spurs them on to join the mat club. The experience they gain on the mat at a young age then benefits the high school team. “It’s a huge impact on both teams,” Robinson said. “The wrestlers we’re working with now will be the ones taking over the high school team in a few years.”

King is also quick to point out that the commitment of parents is also a big part of Harney County’s wrestling success. Parents have to get their kids to practice every day, as well as drive to tournaments almost every weekend.

Les Schwab Buckle Classic

With the costs incurred of putting on a tournament, the board is extremely grateful for the local Les Schwab Tire Center stepping up to sponsor the event.

The club also raises funds with cookie dough sales, and  a drawing for a rifle (the winner’s name will be drawn the day of the tournament).

The board has been busy lining up everyone needed to put on a tournament, including two former Hilander wrestlers, John and Mike Schaff, and Dan Winn and Parker McKinley to serve as referees for the Peewee division matches. “If anyone wants to volunteer to help, we could still use them,” King said.

The tournament begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, and anyone interested in helping out may contact Lisa King at 541-573-2880.

•••

The Hi Desert Mat Club competed at the Madras tournament on Saturday, Jan. 16.
Individual results are as follows:

Peewee division
Kempton Richardson, 27 lbs. — 4th
Ethan Peasley, 40 lbs.  — 1st

Bantam division
Devin Dickie, 40 lbs. — 1st
Oliver Barnes, 40 lbs. — 2nd
Justin Winn, 50 lbs. — 1st
Ian Dawson, 50 lbs. — 5th
Mason Attleberger, 50 lbs. — 2nd
Anthony Moulton, 55 lbs. — 1st
Cameron Moore, 60 pounds — 1st
Harlen Gunderson, 60 lbs. — 2nd
Colby Bryant, 65 lbs. — 1st

Intermediate division
Parker Robinson, 65 lbs. — 1st
Garrett Goss-Bodily, 65 lbs. — 2nd
John Berry Rose, 65 lbs. — 2nd
Mick Winn, 70 lbs. — 3rd

Novice division
Evan Gunderson, 70 lbs. — 1st
Ryan Spurlock, 70 lbs. — 2nd
Jonathon Gonzalez, 80 lbs. — 2nd
Bryce Goss, 100 lbs. — 1st

By Randy Parks & Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

The Burns Hilanders defeated Reedsport 39-30 to win the 3A title at the Oregon Classic wrestling tournament held Jan. 8-10 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.

Things looked a little grim as the Hilanders trailed 30-18 with four matches left in the championship dual against the Braves, but the Burns wrestlers showed why they should never be counted out.

At 119 pounds, Brennan Bailey won his match by a fall to bring Burns to within 30-24.

Dallas Root put his opponent into a cradle in the final seconds of his 125-pound match to pull out a 5-2 decision, and the Hilanders were to within 30-27.

Cody Bennett then gave Burns a 33-30 lead by pinning his opponent at 130 pounds, and Chance Peasley sealed the deal for the Hilanders with a pin at 135 pounds.

Burns began the tournament with easy wins over the other teams in their four-team pool. The Hilanders defeated Colton 55-24, downed Santiam Christian 66-12 and topped Gold Beach 66-18.

In the quarterfinals, Burns beat Waldport 66-18, and they then defeated Glide 54-27 in the semis to move into the championship dual against Reedsport.

Individual matches for the Hilanders are as follows (each dual started at 140 pounds):

Burns vs. Colton
140 — Brendan Palmer won by forfeit
145 — Jay Masterson won by fall, 2nd period
152 — Jake White won by forfeit
160 — Raymond Wright won by fall, 1st period
171 — Tyler Foster won by forfeit
189 — Jake Swindlehurst lost by fall, 1st period
215 — Landon Hanner won by decision, 6-3
285 — George Swartzlender won by major decision, 12-2
103 — Burns lost by forfeit
112 — Parker Paramore lost by fall, 1st period
119 — Max Hill won by forfeit
125 — Dallas Root won by forfeit
130 — Victor Kegley lost by fall, 1st period
135 — Nathan Young won by fall, 1st period

Burns vs. S.C.
140 — Palmer won by fall, 2nd period
145 — Beau Blackburn won by forfeit
152 — Matson Gahley won by fall, 2nd period
160 — Wright won by fall, 1st period
171 — Foster lost by fall, 2nd period
189 — Swindlehurst won by fall, 1st period
215 — Kenny Withee won by forfeit
285 — Swartzlender won by forfeit
103 — Double forfeit
112 — Paramore won by fall, 2nd period
119 — Hill lost by fall, 3rd period
125 — Root won by forfeit
130 — Kegley won by fall, 2nd period
135 — Young won by forfeit

Burns vs. Gold Beach
140 — Palmer won by fall, 1st period
145 — Blackburn won by fall, 1st period
152 — White won by forfeit
160 — Wright won by forfeit
171 — Foster won by forfeit
189 — Swindlehurst won by fall, 2nd period
215 — Withee won by forfeit
285 — Swartzlender won by fall, 2nd period
103 — Double forfeit
112 — Paramore lost by fall, 1st period
119 — Brennan Bailey won by decision, 5-4
125 — Root lost by decision, 6-2
130 — Cody Bennett won by fall, 1st period
135 — Chance Peasley won by fall, 1st period

Burns vs. Waldport
140 — Palmer won by fall, 1st period
145 — Masterson won by fall, 1st period
152 — White won by fall, 2nd period
160 — Wright won by fall, 2nd period
171 — Foster won by fall, 2nd period
189 — Swindlehurst lost by fall, 2nd period
215 — Withee won by fall, 1st period
285 — Swartzlender won by fall, 1st period
103 — Burns lost by forfeit
112 — Paramore lost by fall, 2nd period
119 — Hill won by fall, 1st period
125 — Root won by forfeit
130 — Bennett won by fall, 1st period
135 — Peasley won by fall, 1st period

Burns vs. Glide
140 — Palmer won by fall, 1st period
145 — Masterson won by fall, 2nd period
152 — White lost by fall, 1st period
160 — Wright won by forfeit
171 — Foster lost by fall, 1st period
189 — Swindlehurst won by fall, 1st period
215 — Hanner won by forfeit
285 — Swartzlender won by fall, 1st period
103 — Burns lost by forfeit
112 — Paramore lost by fall, 1st period
119 — Bailey won by forfeit
125 — Root won by fall, 2nd period
130 — Bennett lost by decision, 8-7
135 — Peasley won by fall, 2nd period
Burns vs. Reedsport
140 — Palmer lost by decision, 14-7
145 — Masterson won by forfeit
152 — White won by fall, 1st period
160 — Wright lost by decision, 8-3
171 — Foster lost by decision, 7-3
189 — Swindlehurst lost by decision, 10-8
215 — Hanner won by fall, 2nd period
285 — Swartzlender won by fall, 1st period
103 — Burns lost by forfeit
112 — Paramore lost by fall, 1st period
119 — Bailey won by fall, 1st period
125 — Root won by decision, 5-2
130 — Bennett won by fall, 1st period
135 — Peasley won by fall, 1st period

The next competition for the Burns wrestlers is the Bend Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 16.
•••
The Crane Mustang wrestlers worked their way to the championship dual in the Oregon Wrestling Classic in Redmond last weekend in the 1A/2A division. The Mustangs defeated Heppner, Scio, Pine Eagle, Lakeview and Nestucca on their way to the final competition against the Culver Bulldogs, ending up in second place in the tournament.

Results by dual are as follows:
Crane 52, Heppner 27
Wyatt Clark, 103, win by pin.
Gus Titus, 125, win by pin.
Lewis Whiting, 130, win by pin.
Zach Cody, 135, win by pin.
Greg Thompson, 140, win by pin.
Josh Williams, 145, win 7-0.
Kenny Haworth, 152, loss by pin.
Justin Davis, 160, win by pin.
Matt Miller, 171, loss 5-7.
Matt Kelley, 189, loss by pin.
Ben Huerta, 215, loss by pin.

Crane 42, Scio 37
Thomas O’Toole, 103, win by pin.
Gus Titus, 125, win 10-8.
Lewis Whiting, 130, win by pin.
Zach Cody, 135, loss by pin.
Greg Thompson, 140, loss 5-16.
Josh Williams, 145, loss 2-5.
Kenny Haworth, 152, win by pin.
Justin Davis, 160, loss by pin.
Matt Miller, 171, win 4-2.
Matt Kelley, 189, win 2-0.
Ben Huerta, 215, loss by pin.
Donald McDermond, 275, loss by pin.

Crane 48, Pine Eagle 36
Mitch Willson, 119, loss by pin.
Lewis Whiting, 130, win by pin.
Zach Cody, 135, win by pin.
Josh Williams, 152, win by pin.
Cash Casey, 160, loss by pin.
Matt Miller, 171, loss by pin.
Matt Kelley, 189, loss by pin.
Ben Huerta, 215, loss by pin.
Donald McDermond, 275, loss by pin.

Crane 54, Lakeview 21
Individual results not available

Crane 44, Nestucca 30
Wyatt Clark, 112, win by pin.
Mitch Willson, 119, win by pin.
Gus Titus, 125, win 7-6.
Lewis Whiting, 130, win 9-4.
Zach Cody, 135, win 16-0.
Greg Thompson, 140, win 6-5.
Tanner Titus, 145, win by pin.
Josh Williams, 152, win by pin.
Kenny Haworth, 160, loss by pin.
Matt Miller, 171, loss 0-10.
Matt Kelley, 189, loss by pin.
Ben Huerta, 215, loss by pin.
Donald McDermond, win by pin.

Crane13, Culver 61
Wyatt Clark, 103, loss by pin.
Mitch Willson, 112, win by pin.
Elizabeth Davis, 119, loss by pin.
Gus Titus, 125, loss 6-14.
Cody Davis, 130, loss by pin.
Zach Cody, 135, loss by pin.
Greg Thompson, 140, win 5-3.
Tanner Titus, 145, loss 9-14.
Josh Williams, 152, win 14-6.
Kenny Haworth, 160, loss by pin.
Matt Miller, 171, loss by pin.
Matt Kelley, 189, loss by pin.
Ben Huerta, 215, loss by pin.
Donald McDermond, 275, loss by pin.

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Holding the Timberwolves to six first half points, the Crane Mustang girls basketball team came up with a big win over Triad, 63-20, on Jan. 2.

The win can be attributed in part to the Mustangs’ stifling defense. As a team, Crane racked up 18 steals, while only pressing a short portion of the first quarter. When the Timberwolves did get a shot up, the Mustangs were there to pull down the defensive rebound, run the court and score.

At the end of the first quarter, Crane had taken a 16-2 lead. At the half, the score was 34-6, and at the end of the third the Mustangs led 52-14.

September O’Crowley recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds (five offensive and five defensive) and 20 points. O’Crowley also picked off six steals and was behind five assists.

Emilee O’Toole put up 14 points for the Mustangs, while getting nine rebounds (five offensive and four defensive).
Rounding out Crane’s scoring was Natalie Bentz with 12, Brooke Nyman had nine, Hannah Buermann scored seven and Savannah Duff made one point.

On the boards, along with O’Crowley and O’Toole’s leading numbers, Buermann grabbed eight total rebounds, with Nyman, Bentz and Brenda Otley pulling down six each and Duff getting four.

The Mustangs will get back into league action this Friday and Saturday, hosting Harper and then Jordan Valley. The game on Friday against the Hornets will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday’s girls game will begin at about 2 p.m., following the boys JV. There will be no junior varsity girls game on either day.

•••

The Crane Mustang boys needed to be at the top of their game last Saturday against the Triad Timberwolves, but unfortunately Crane didn’t have the type of game needed to beat the Timberwolves, and were issued a 58-40 loss.

Triad’s half-court trap defense at the opening of the game had the Timberwolves jumping to an immediate 12-point lead. Once the Mustangs started penetrating, they were getting looks inside for easy shots, and at halftime had pulled back to a three-point game, 27-24.

Triad went on a 14-2 run in the middle of the third quarter, going into the paint, as well as shooting from the perimeter. In spite of blocked shots by Blake Steeves and Pete Joyce, the Mustangs were down by 18 going into the final period.

Ryan Opie, Michael Rothgeb and Steeves picked off a steal each during the fourth, but Triad held onto their lead and took the win.

Hitting four 3-point shots, as well as shots from the paint and charity strip, Opie led the Mustang scoring with 18 points. Cole Maupin put in eight points with Steeves adding seven, Jeran Conaway making four, Royal Henricks got two and Nic Nyman made one.

Steeves pulled down eight rebounds for Crane, with T.J. Potter grabbing four, Conaway and Henricks getting three each and Nyman grabbing one.

Opie picked off five steals to lead the Mustang defense.

Crane will host the Harper Hornets and the Jordan Valley Mustangs this weekend in High Desert League action. Friday’s game will begin at 7:30, following the girls varsity, and Saturday’s will start at about 4:30. There will be a junior varsity boys game on Saturday as well, beginning at 12:30 p.m.