SPRINGFIELD (9-1)
■ Tipping off: In their final games before Midwestern League play begins, the No. 2 Millers face two Class 4A teams. On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Millers travel to No. 11 Cascade (4-6) before hosting No. 1 Stayton (8-1) on Monday, Jan 12. The Millers will have their hands full with the best team in 4A. With eight wins – including one over No. 6 in Class 5A Crook County – the Eagles average nearly 58 points per game – which compares well to the Millers’ 59 points per game.
THURSTON (5-5)
■ Tipping off: League play kicks off for the No. 14 Colts as they host No. 19 Eagle Point (6-6) on Thursday, Jan. 8. The Colts’ past two games have been some of their highest point totals of the year with 56 and 48 points scored in the two. They have a good chance to win if they stay hot offensively.
COTTAGE GROVE (8-3)
■ Tipping off: The No. 12 Lions travel to No. 26 Marshfield (3-7) on Friday, Jan. 9 in their first game of Sky Em League play. The Lions start off league play against the lowest-ranked team in the league. The Pirates have scored an average of 20 points in their past three games.Before their game against Marshfield, though, the Lions host the No. 5 team in Class 3A Creswell Bulldogs (7-4) on Tuesday, Jan. 6 for the second time this season. After falling to the Bulldogs 62-26 in their previous matchup – while shooting 11-of-46 from the field – the Lions must shoot the ball more efficiently this time around.
CRESWELL (7-4)
■ Tipping off: The No. 5 Bulldogs finish their non-league schedule this week with two matchups. The first match is on Tuesday, Jan. 6 against No. 12 in Class 4A Cottage Grove (8-3), before they host the No. 4 Red Devils of Coquille on Saturday. On Saturday, the Bulldogs will test themselves against the team just ahead of them in the OSAA rankings. This matchup could very well determine where these two teams place between each other come playoff time.
PLEASANT HILL (8-3)
■ Tipping off: The No. 4 Billies compete in two games this week. First, they’ll travel to No. 11 Oakland (7-3) on Friday, Jan. 9 before heading home to host No. 15 in Class 2A Toledo (4-4) on Saturday. After starting out 2-3, the Oakers have won their past five games. The Oakers have allowed an average of only 25 points during the streak. While they’ve won five straight games, the Oakers did not beat a team in Class 3A or higher.
– Seth Thompson
