High School Sports Zone March 19

Springfield girls lose state title in close game;

Thurston boys finish 4th at state

Athlete of the Week

Top Stories, Recaps & More

By Ron Hartman – Reporter

SO CLOSE: Millers lose title game, already ‘working hard to get another chance’ coach says

McMINNVILLE – The “stars” just didn’t line up in Springfield’s favor in this year’s Class 5A Girls Basketball State Championship game. Payton Starwalt scored 26 points and extended her all-classification…

By Eli Thomas

Colts fall short of ultimate goal

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…

By Chronicle Staff Report

2025-26 WINTER SPORTS SUPERLATIVES

BOYS BASKETBALL – THURSTON – ALL-MIDWESTERN LEAGUE – Player of the year: Lucas LaBounty (second consecutive year). Defensive player of the year: Logan Piquette …

By Knight Jarecki

Drifters trio hitting stride; Ducks’ Twist standing out

SPRINGFIELD – Three 2025 Springfield Drifters – Cesar Chavez, Andrew Gauna, and Sonny Pena all had their best week of baseball this season. Chavez, an outfielder at Cal State Los…

By FRANK ARMENDARIZ for The Chronicle

Finding a moment of calm in turbulent waters

In these turbulent times, the impact of current events is widespread, affecting people of all ages and sectors of society. We are constantly bombarded by media across all platforms with…

In Case You Missed It

Creswell boys earn season split vs. Pleasant Hill; 4th at state

The Pleasant Hill boys basketball team defeated Creswell 69-56 on senior night January 13, 2026 at Creswell High School. CRAIG STROBECK / THE CHRONICLE

PORTLAND – Two weeks ago, Thurston coach Mike Simons said it would be a “disappointment” if the Colts took anything other than first place at both the Midwestern League district meet and the OSAA Class 5A boys wrestling state championships.

After coming in second place to Crater at both events last season, the Colts were tired of finishing second. Its coach and competitors were eager to end the state title drought that has gone on for two decades.

While they already avenged the losses to Crater at this year’s district meet, the job wasn’t finished. The Colts needed the championship – and got it. Thurston came out victorious, edging Crater 291-283 in a rematch of last year’s top two teams.

While the Colts never trailed on Saturday, Crater stayed close behind all night. Ultimately, the wrestler who swung the match was Colts 150-pound senior Bill Matheus.

Corrections & clarifications: The Chronicle’s HSSZ email newsletter on March 13 had the incorrect headline. The Creswell boys basketball team’s record against Pleasant Hill was 2-2 through games. Creswell finished alone fourth place in the Class 3A state tournament.