MORO – Four days and one player made all the difference for Culver.

The Bulldogs beat the Grant Union boys basketball team 63-53 in the championship game of the Sherman Tournament Saturday, Dec. 6. However, the Prospectors won 72-32 when the teams met Tuesday, Dec. 2, in John Day. The Dec. 2 game was the season opener for both teams.

A key change between the games was the return of Culver’s senior guard Nevin Lewis. Lewis missed the first game due to an injury, but his presence was felt in the Dec. 6 game. Lewis had 29 points in the game.

“Culver had their guard back and I think the guys may have been a little intimidated at first, and we came out flat,” Grant Union coach Jason Miller said. “Lewis is also the quarterback on their football team. He is a great athlete.”

The Pros found themselves in a hole early against Culver during the tournament. Grant Union only scored two points in the first quarter and trailed by as much as 30 points in the game. The Pros were able to close the gap to within eight points in the last minute of the game, but never overcame the deficit.

The Pros’ Austin Ranft had an impact similar to that of Lewis in the teams’ first meeting. Ranft scored 24 points in the game. Cash Wenick and Gage Immoos each had 12 points, Connor Smith earned 11 points and James Webb had 10.

Grant Union’s offense slowed in the Dec. 6 game. The Pros went from having five players in double digits to only having three. Ranft had 15 points, while Webb and Immoos each had 11.

All five of Grant Union’s top scorers also played in the Oregon School Activities Association 3A football state championship victory against Gold Beach just three days before the Dec. 2 game. The extended football season shortened the practice timeline for the Pros.

Miller said although the short break may have affected his team early in the season, he thinks the state championship will help the basketball team as well. Miller is also an assistant coach on the football team.

“I think it definitely affected the team, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Miller said. “The championship was amazing and it’s something I hope we can transfer to basketball.”

The Pros played Crane Tuesday, Dec. 9, but the game finished after deadline. Readers can check www.myeaglenews.com for updates. They will host the Grant Union Tournament Friday, Dec. 12 and 13. Union, Lakeview and La Pine are traveling to John Day for the tournament.