Boys Basketball
Cottage Grove
10-9, ranked #17
In the bonus: The Lions are in third place in the Sky-Em League heading into the second-half of league play. Staying in the third spot would most likely mean an away play-in game, but grabbing the second spot would switch that play-in game to home. Cottage Grove has North Bend and No. 3 Junction City this week. To keep pace the Lions will need to beat North Bend again, and will need captains Gannon Leach and Brennen Murphy to step up to do that.
Creswell
16-4, ranked #7
In the bonus: The Bulldogs, officially full strength after the return of senior AJ Hodge, have almost clinched a league title for the first time since 2019-20. Creswell has two games to close out the season – Sisters and Elmira. The game on Monday against Elmira will be the final regular season home game for Hodge, Connor Hanson, Jack Nguyen, and Max Velarde.
Pleasant Hill
16-5, ranked #9
In the bonus: The Billies have their final two regular-season games this week – at home against Harrisburg tonight and at Siuslaw on Monday. It’s likely however that Pleasant Hill will need to beat Sisters in a league playoff for the second seed out of the Mountain Valley Conference, and a potential home first-round playoff game. To do any of those things the Billies will need star Gavin Inglish to continue his outstanding play.
Springfield
2-15, ranked #30
In the bonus: Springfield may be out of the playoff race, but still has lots of pride to fight for heading into the final stretch. The Millers are at No. 14 Ashland and No. 4 Churchill this week, both tough losses for Springfield in the first round robin.
Thurston
10-9, ranked #14
In the bonus: The Colts have only one game this week, a league game at No. 7 North Eugene, which is 7-0 and atop the Midwestern League. An upset would be a significant accomplishment for Thurston, but to do so coach Blaine Liberatore will need top-notch performances from Walker Bonar, Nate Stiffler, and Hunter James.
*Records and rankings as of noon Tuesday.
Girls Basketball
Cottage Grove
3-16, ranked #31
In the bonus: The Lions have two Sky-Em games this week, at home against North Bend and at Junction City. Head coach Pete LeMay said his team wants to go at least 2-2 in the back half of league play, and these two games might be their best chances to fulfill that goal.
Creswell
14-6, ranked #14
In the bonus: Creswell finishes the regular season with two home games – against Sisters and Elmira. The Bulldogs won both games the first time around, and should do the same again to hold onto their second-place spot in the conference. Dakota Carson, Lauren Bailey, and Samairah Quinones look to continue setting the pace for coach Tyler Hollingsworth’s squad.
Pleasant Hill
18-1, ranked #6
In the bonus: Another 2-0 week means the Billies win streak is up to 16 games, the longest active streak in Class 3A. Pleasant Hill has essentially clinched the Mountain Valley Conference title, and closes out its regular season this week with games against Harrisburg and Siuslaw. Senior starters Shyanne Fenley and Kiley Campos will have their final home game against Harrisburg tonight.
Springfield
15-5, ranked #1
In the bonus: The Millers sit nicely in first place in the Midwestern League after their second win against Crater last week. Springfield continues league play this week with games at Ashland and at home against Churchill, both 30+ point wins last time. Wins this time around would clinch Springfield’s first league title since 2018-19.
Thurston
9-10, ranked #17
In the bonus: The Colts are in a heated battle with No. 14 Eagle Point and No. 12 North Eugene for the third and final playoff spot in the Midwestern League. Thurston hosts both of those teams this week, and will need big performances from Addison Nelson, Stella Hall, and Bailey Tovey if they hope to beat North Eugene again and avenge a loss to Eagle Point.
