THURSTON (12-4, 4-0)
■ Tipping off: Thurston, No. 4 in Class 5A, has two league matchups this week. The first is on Friday, at 7 p.m. against No. 13 Ashland (11-5, 2-2), who is hoping to snap the Colts’ nine-game winning streak. The Colts have won four games in a row against the Grizzlies, although Ashland won three of four before that stretch. With a win, Ashland would equal its best win total in three seasons under coach Anirudh Sairam.
On Tuesday, the Colts welcome No. 3 North Eugene (15-3, 3-2). Three weeks ago the Colts defeated the Highlanders 65-47, holding North Eugene to a season-low in points. After losing its first two league games, North Eugene has won three in a row and moved up to third place in the Midwestern League.
SPRINGFIELD (2-14, 1-3)
■ Tipping off: No. 30 in Class 5A Springfield has two league matchups this week. Noah Solo has had a nice past two games, scoring 15 and 14 points, and will look to keep it rolling this week.
On Friday, the Millers welcome No. 12 Crater (13-4, 2-3). The Comets started 12-1, but have lost three of their past four games. The Comets are 5th in the Midwestern League, while the Millers are 6th. Both teams have defeated Eagle Point, while losing to their other three common opponents.
On Tuesday, the Millers will welcome No. 13 Ashland (11-5, 2-2). The Millers fell to the Grizzlies 83-44 last Friday, allowing 83 points for the second time of the week after not allowing opponents to hit that mark all season previously.
PLEASANT HILL (14-3, 4-0)
■ Tipping off: Pleasant Hill, No. 3 in Class 3A, has three games this week. First, they welcome No. 12 Elmira (11-7, 2-2) on Friday. The Falcons are 3rd in the Mountain Valley Conference, while the Billies are tied with Creswell atop the standings. The Billies defeated the Falcons 57-46 earlier this month, and have won seven straight in the series.
The next day, the Billies travel to face No. 1 in Class 3A Westside Christian (15-3, 7-1) in a non-league matchup. Both teams are on six-game winning streaks. These two faced off in the state championship last season, with the Eagles defeating the Billies 65-47.
On Tuesday, the Billies travel to face No. 25 Harrisburg (10-9, 1-3). The Eagles had dropped their first three league games before defeating La Pine 67-60. The Eagles are tied with Sisters for fourth in the MVC through four league games.
CRESWELL (12-5, 4-0)
■ Tipping off: No. 9 in Class 3A Creswell has two league matchups this week. The Bulldogs have won seven of their past eight since getting healthy. On Friday, the Bulldogs welcome No. 39 La Pine (5-13, 0-4), which is in last place in the Mountain Valley Conference. The Bulldogs dominated the Hawks last season, winning the two games by an average of 50 points.
The Bulldogs travel to No. 17 Sisters (6-10, 1-3) on Tuesday. The Outlaws have lost four of their past five games. All three matchups between the Bulldogs and Outlaws last season were decided by fewer than five points, but Creswell won this season’s first matchup 74-61.
COTTAGE GROVE (4-12, 2-2)
■ Tipping off: Cottage Grove, No. 24 in Class 4A, has two games this week. Traveling to No. 15 Junction City (11-6, 2-2) is their first test, on Friday. On Jan. 13, the Lions defeated the Tigers 49-47. Cottage Grove had a 15-point lead before the Tigers dominated the fourth quarter 16-3, but ultimately came up short. Lions junior Trevor Cooper led the team with 16 points in that game, but his status for Friday’s game is uncertain after he hurt his ankle against Marist Catholic.
On Tuesday, the Lions travel to North Bend. The Lions also defeated the Bulldogs in a recent close game, 54-52 on Jan. 16. Cade May led the Lions with 13 points and 10 rebounds in that one, while Brody Kyllo led the Bulldogs with 27 points and four steals. The two teams were deadlocked in most categories, but the Lions led in points off turnovers, while the Tigers led in second-chance points.
