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Basin teams give fans plenty to cheer about
May29, 2007
Sports fans in the Klamath Basin have had plenty to cheer about this season as a number of teams have had a great deal of success in the high school sports season.
Here is a roundup of some of the highlights of the Klamath Basin just in case you missed anything.
Fall Sports
Football season brought a great deal of success to several teams in the area. Klamath Union, Henley, Lost River, Bonanza and Modoc all made their way into the postseason. Lost River pulled off the most impressive upset of any of the teams in the Raiders first-round win over Heppner, 16-13, on the road.
Bonanza advanced all the way to the state championship game in the same class 2A tournament the Raiders played in but fell to Cascade Christian. The Antlers were one of the most exciting teams in the state all season with multi-purpose threat Kyle Gomez and University of Oregon-bound tight end/defensive end John Laidet.
KU was almost as exciting to watch as the Antlers with its speedy defense and exciting offense led by the duo of wide receiver Mark Brooks and quarterback Tory Snyder. The Pels made the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, which meant a lot to the coaches and the players. The fact that they dropped their second round game to the Corvallis Spartans, who went on to win the 5A title, just means they will be hungrier this fall.
Henley football, led by Colin Stock, who was first team all-league in three sports this year, also lost to a Sisters team that went on to play in the state championship game. The Hornets were one of the more versatile teams in the 4A classification. Every time they had a big run it seemed like it was a different running back gaining the yards.
On the soccer field, the KU boys and girls and the Henley boys all made it to the postseason.
The volleyball postseason party included Henley, Mazama and Lakeview. Mazama lost in the opening round to a very good Summit team and Henley and Lakeview both made it to the final site for their respective tournaments. Henley seems to be there every year and Lakeview is staking its claim as one of the better 2A volleyball teams in the state.
Winter Sports
Herald and News sports editor Steve Matthies said in his time here, he has never seen more success on the basketball court than there was this season.
On the girls side, Henley, Chiloquin, Triad and Lost River all made their way to their state tournaments. Henley got there based on the strength of having a bruising team with post players like Taylor Wallace and Megan Christensen. The Hornets picked up the new offense installed by coach Shannon Carlson and had some impressive showings on the court.
Chiloquin, led by two-time Southern Cascade League player of the year Tiffany Rich, dominated the SCL. The Queens also showcased their dominance on their home court at Big Gym by going undefeated.
On the boy's side, Henley dominated the Skyline Conference en route to the conference title and a fourth place finish at the state tournament in Corvallis. The most surprising thing for the Hornets was the ease with which they breezed through their Skyline slate. The Hornets were 14-1 and took two out of three from the 2005-06 state champion Hidden Valley Mustangs.
The KU boys also made the state tournament and hosted an opening round game against the ChurchillLancers. KU had a great season and was one of the more exciting basketball teams to watch with its fast-paced offense, led by senior Jeremy Yazzie.
Once again, Bonanza was at the state tournament, this time on the basketball court. The same group of players that led the Antler football team also led the basketball team. Kyle Gomez, who will continue his basketball career at Oregon Institute of Technology next year, was as electrifying on the court as any player in any class.
Speaking of Oregon Tech, the Hustlin' Owls had a memorable season with another trip to the NAIA Division II tournament in Branson, Mo. The Owls also had two impressive records set, with Levell Hesia breaking the school scoring mark and Danny Miles getting his 800th win.
The Basin saw large numbers of athletes head to the state meets in wrestling and swimming and Henley swimmer Stephanie North came home with two individual state titles.
Spring Sports
In the spring, the Henley Hornets were active again. They sent 27 athletes to the state track meet in Eugene (Jesuit, a 6A school, had the most with 33) and came away with a girls championship. Taylor Wallace won two individual titles in the 1,500 meters and the 3,000, repeating the performance she had at last year's state tournament. Henley softball also made it to the state quarterfinals before falling to Tillamook and the baseball team will play today for the opportunity to play in the state championship game.
Klamath Union also sent a large contingent to Eugene and came away with some impressive finishes. Many of the KU athletes will have a chance to head back to Eugene in 2007.
Bonanza also finally got the state title it had been seeking with the Antler boys winning a track title. Gomez and Laidet both took home multiple individual championships from Monmouth. Lakeview's Keli Hall also came away with three championships from the meet.
With this being such an exciting year in Basin athletics, I can't wait for the 2007-08 season to get started.
- By Ross L. Timbrook
Sports fans in the Klamath Basin have had plenty to cheer about this season as a number of teams have had a great deal of success in the high school sports season.
Here is a roundup of some of the highlights of the Klamath Basin just in case you missed anything.
Fall Sports
Football season brought a great deal of success to several teams in the area. Klamath Union, Henley, Lost River, Bonanza and Modoc all made their way into the postseason. Lost River pulled off the most impressive upset of any of the teams in the Raiders first-round win over Heppner, 16-13, on the road.
Bonanza advanced all the way to the state championship game in the same class 2A tournament the Raiders played in but fell to Cascade Christian. The Antlers were one of the most exciting teams in the state all season with multi-purpose threat Kyle Gomez and University of Oregon-bound tight end/defensive end John Laidet.
KU was almost as exciting to watch as the Antlers with its speedy defense and exciting offense led by the duo of wide receiver Mark Brooks and quarterback Tory Snyder. The Pels made the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, which meant a lot to the coaches and the players. The fact that they dropped their second round game to the Corvallis Spartans, who went on to win the 5A title, just means they will be hungrier this fall.
Henley football, led by Colin Stock, who was first team all-league in three sports this year, also lost to a Sisters team that went on to play in the state championship game. The Hornets were one of the more versatile teams in the 4A classification. Every time they had a big run it seemed like it was a different running back gaining the yards.
On the soccer field, the KU boys and girls and the Henley boys all made it to the postseason.
The volleyball postseason party included Henley, Mazama and Lakeview. Mazama lost in the opening round to a very good Summit team and Henley and Lakeview both made it to the final site for their respective tournaments. Henley seems to be there every year and Lakeview is staking its claim as one of the better 2A volleyball teams in the state.
Winter Sports
Herald and News sports editor Steve Matthies said in his time here, he has never seen more success on the basketball court than there was this season.
On the girls side, Henley, Chiloquin, Triad and Lost River all made their way to their state tournaments. Henley got there based on the strength of having a bruising team with post players like Taylor Wallace and Megan Christensen. The Hornets picked up the new offense installed by coach Shannon Carlson and had some impressive showings on the court.
Chiloquin, led by two-time Southern Cascade League player of the year Tiffany Rich, dominated the SCL. The Queens also showcased their dominance on their home court at Big Gym by going undefeated.
On the boy's side, Henley dominated the Skyline Conference en route to the conference title and a fourth place finish at the state tournament in Corvallis. The most surprising thing for the Hornets was the ease with which they breezed through their Skyline slate. The Hornets were 14-1 and took two out of three from the 2005-06 state champion Hidden Valley Mustangs.
The KU boys also made the state tournament and hosted an opening round game against the ChurchillLancers. KU had a great season and was one of the more exciting basketball teams to watch with its fast-paced offense, led by senior Jeremy Yazzie.
Once again, Bonanza was at the state tournament, this time on the basketball court. The same group of players that led the Antler football team also led the basketball team. Kyle Gomez, who will continue his basketball career at Oregon Institute of Technology next year, was as electrifying on the court as any player in any class.
Speaking of Oregon Tech, the Hustlin' Owls had a memorable season with another trip to the NAIA Division II tournament in Branson, Mo. The Owls also had two impressive records set, with Levell Hesia breaking the school scoring mark and Danny Miles getting his 800th win.
The Basin saw large numbers of athletes head to the state meets in wrestling and swimming and Henley swimmer Stephanie North came home with two individual state titles.
Spring Sports
In the spring, the Henley Hornets were active again. They sent 27 athletes to the state track meet in Eugene (Jesuit, a 6A school, had the most with 33) and came away with a girls championship. Taylor Wallace won two individual titles in the 1,500 meters and the 3,000, repeating the performance she had at last year's state tournament. Henley softball also made it to the state quarterfinals before falling to Tillamook and the baseball team will play today for the opportunity to play in the state championship game.
Klamath Union also sent a large contingent to Eugene and came away with some impressive finishes. Many of the KU athletes will have a chance to head back to Eugene in 2007.
Bonanza also finally got the state title it had been seeking with the Antler boys winning a track title. Gomez and Laidet both took home multiple individual championships from Monmouth. Lakeview's Keli Hall also came away with three championships from the meet.
With this being such an exciting year in Basin athletics, I can't wait for the 2007-08 season to get started.
- By Ross L. Timbrook
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| Henley meets similar hitting style in Newport |
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