Grant Union's Sarah Cary (25) looks for help against defensive player Emily Mues (34). Pressure defense from the Hilanders gave the Lady Prospectors a lot of trouble Jan. 4 in an 83-22 defeat. The Eagle/Tim Adams

JOHN DAY – Any lingering questions in anyone’s mind as to why the Burns High School girls basketball team holds the No. 1 Class 3A ranking were answered in the Tuesday, Jan. 4, nonleague matchup against Grant Union.

The Hilanders opened the game with a 21-0 run and went on to roll over the Lady Prospectors, 83-22.

Burns’ full-court pressure defense forced Grant Union into 17 first quarter turnovers, which put the Lady Pros in a big hole early.

Katie Torland knocked down 10 points in the first quarter for Burns, six of which came on back-to-back-to-back turnovers under the Grant Union basket, and Maria Clemens added eight more to get the Hilanders off to a fast start.

Becky Landis broke the run at the 2:03 mark, scoring the Lady Pros only basket in the first eight minutes of the game.

Torland, who scored a game-high 22 points, hit three more baskets in the second quarter as Burns put up an additional 20 points to take an insurmountable 51-4 halftime lead.

In the second half the Prospectors cut down on the turnovers and managed to score nine points, but Burns responded with 12 third-quarter points and 20 more in the final period to win the game going away.

Dayna Dick scored 15 points, Maria Clemens had 14 points and Jessica Clemens was the fourth player in double figures with 13.

Andrea Ashby-Andrew had five points and Whitney Moore scored four for Grant Union (3-11).

Boys

Grant Union 49, Burns 43 (OT)

BURNS – The Grant Union boys basketball team finished the preseason with a 7-7 record after a 49-43 overtime victory over the Hilanders on Jan. 4.