Eli Thomas

THURSTON (3-3, #6) ■ Leading off: The Class 5A Colts are off to a slow start based on their own high standards. However, the last time the Colts started 3-3, two years ago, they won their final 25 games on…

SPRINGFIELD – The 5th annual Harvey Lewellen Throws Invitational took place on Saturday, March 21. Springfield, Thurston, Cottage Grove and Creswell were among the schools represented at the meet. Lewellen is a former Thurston track coach who has set a…

McMINNVILLE – Defense has been the story all season for the Thurston Colts. They held five opponents to season-low point totals, and allowed the fewest points in Class 5A during the regular season. When they were down 13 points in…

SPRINGFIELD – The No. 2 Springfield Millers took control of their first-round playoff matchup immediately this past Saturday. Darissa Romero Ah-Sam’s smooth perimeter shooting, along with a stifling defense that forced numerous turnovers, made the game’s outcome feel obvious early.…

COSS BAY — The 7th seed Creswell Bulldogs went into halftime against the 2nd seed Cascade Christian Challengers relatively optimistic. They had scored 14 points, a first half season-low and their only game below 20. Despite that, they were only…

PLEASANT HILL (21-5, 10-0) ■ Tipping off: On Thursday, the 5 seed Billies play No. 4 seed Riverside (23-4, 10-0) at 3:15 p.m. at North Bend High School. The Pirates have had quite the turnaround, making at least the second…

■ THURSTON defeated Churchill 49-24 on Tuesday to clinch their third league title in a row. Churchill’s previous season low in points was 39, in their first matchup against the Colts. This game set a new low by 15 points.…

EUGENE – The parking lots around the Morse Center – a 2,100-seat all-purpose arena on the Bushnell University campus, were packed Saturday for the Mountain Valley Conference Championship boys basketball game between Creswell and Pleasant Hill. Inside the gym, the…

THURSTON (17-5, 9-1) ■ Tipping off: The Colts have their final regular-season game on Friday against No. 16 Ashland (13-9, 4-6) at 7 p.m. The Colts will honor their four seniors: Lucas LaBounty, Logan Piquette, Rylan Sharp, and Malachi Perez.…