THURSTON (15-5, 7-1)
■ Tipping off: Class 5A No. 4 Thurston welcomes No. 9 Crater (16-4, 5-3) on Friday. The Colts beat the Comets 68-45 earlier this season, but Crater just defeated North Eugene in the same week the Colts fell to the Highlanders. The Midwestern League is tight, with four teams at 5-3 or better. This game could knock the Colts out of first, or move the Comets up to second, depending on how games play out. On Tuesday, Thurston faces No. 30 Springfield (2-17, 1-6) at 7 p.m.
CRESWELL (15-6, 7-1) &
PLEASANT HILL (18-4, 8-0)
■ Tipping off: The Bulldogs, No. 10 in Class 3A, have their final league matchup this week. The games don’t get bigger than this one. Senior Night, against rival and No. 3 Pleasant Hill, who is also the only team ahead of them in the Mountain Valley Conference standings. The Billies defeated the Bulldogs 60-54 on Jan. 27. In that game, players on both sides were battling illnesses, and Billies star senior Landen Melvin and freshman Cole Jackson were unable to suit up. Ace Arnold enters the game coming off two big performances last week. Both teams should be at full strength come Friday’s game, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Creswell.
COTTAGE GROVE (4-14, 2-4)
■ Tipping off: The No. 23 Lions have two league games this week. On Friday, they face No. 7 Marshfield (11-7, 5-2). The Pirates handled the Lions 67-52 in their first matchup, but narrowly escaped with a 49-47 victory in the second matchup. On Friday, the Lions welcome No. 13 Junction City (14-7, 5-3). The Lions defeated the Tigers 49-47 in the first matchup at the Grove, before falling 82-41 in the second. The Lions were missing star junior Trevor Cooper in that second matchup. Lions head coach Seth Hutchison said he hopes Cooper can return sometime this week from his ankle sprain.
SPRINGFIELD (2-16, 1-5)
■ Tipping off: The No. 30 Millers have two games this week. First, a rematch at No. 31 Eagle Point on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Springfield defeated the Eagles 61-54 on Jan. 16 for their lone league win. Noah Solo led the Millers with 16 points in that one, while Lejhaun Henderson’s nine fourth-quarter points were key to the Millers’ 20-8 run in the final period. On Tuesday, the Millers welcome No. 4 Thurston (15-5, 7-1). The Colts defeated the Millers 83-20 earlier this season, led by Lucas LaBounty’s 22 points. Solo scored 15 of his team’s 20 in that first matchup.
