Grant Union's Chance Ferguson gets a jump shot off good for two points over the defensive efforts of Elgin's J. T. Keating (35). Ferguson scored seven points in the Prospectors 60-34 victory on Saturday. The Eagle/Tim Adams

JOHN DAY – With their backs against the wall, the Grant Union High School boys basketball team did exactly what it needed to do in a pair of weekend games against Union and Elgin.

After starting the season with losses to Nyssa, Vale and Enterprise by a total of five points, the Prospectors knew an 0-5 record at the midway point of the Wapiti League season would make a trip to the post-season nearly an impossible task.

However, Grant Union rose to the occasion by hammering Union 73-36 on its home court on Friday, before coming back to record a 60-34 victory over Elgin on Saturday.

Prospectors’ coach Brad Smith couldn’t ask for anything more with five games remaining on the regular season schedule and heading into a tough matchup against league-leading Nyssa on Friday, Jan. 28, at home.

“We did what we had to do,” Smith said. “We needed to sweep this weekend and the kids went out and played really well.”

On the road Friday against Union, the Prospectors jumped out to a 10 point, 16-6 lead, after the first quarter of play and made the margin stand up.

Grant Union added 17 points in the second period to hold a 33-23 halftime advantage.

Defense was the name of the game in the second half as the Prospectors held the Bobcats to a mere 13 points while answering with 40 to put the game away.

Bo Thunell and Isaac Moore scored 14 points apiece to lead the Prospectors and Nolin Page hit for 13. Eli McClure was the fourth player in double figures with 10 points.

On Saturday, Grant Union’s scoring attack and tough defensive effort continued against Elgin.

The Prospectors opened the game with a 7-0 run and took a 17-4 lead after the first eight minutes of play.

The Huskies got on track in the second period scoring 14 points, but the Prospectors put up 16 to hold a 33-18 halftime lead.

In the second half, Elgin was held to just 17 points while Grant Union scored 19 in the third quarter and 11 more in the fourth to seal the victory.

“We didn’t play bad, but I thought we could have done better,” senior Adam Kowing said. “We got the win tonight and that’s what’s important.”

Thunell scored 16 points to pace the Prospectors, with McClure and Kowing adding eight points each.

Charlie Schumacher led Elgin with 13 points.