Grant Union Prospectors for the girls and boys teams gathered for a photo last Saturday: Front, Kori Pentzer, 1st team (left); McKenzie Wilson, Honorable Mention; back, Ricky Weickum, Honorable Mention; Emily Mosley, Honorable Mention; Heather Mosley, 1st Team; and Trace Gill, 2nd Team.

LA GRANDE – The Grant Union boys had a difficult time getting their game off the ground against Elgin at last Friday’s Wapiti District Tournament.

Although the Pros eventually came within reach of a win, they fell short at the end, 43-49.

They started play with a last-minute lineup change due to injury that kept a couple of starters out of the game; however, after getting treatment the two soon returned to action.

Grant Union had a sluggish start, trailing 4-17 in the first quarter with the only buckets coming from Brady Burch and Ricky Weickum.

“We had a very slow start, likely due to our inexperience,” said Prospector head coach Steve Speth.

Grant Union caught fire in the second quarter, going from 17 points behind early on to end the half trailing, 23-25.

The game was reminiscent of their league game the previous week, facing Elgin at Grant Union. In that contest, the Prospectors made gains near the end for a come-from-behind win; however, the net and the win proved elusive this time.

Elgin made a brief run at the start of the third quarter to extend their lead by 7 points.

“We couldn’t cut into it (the lead) by the end of the quarter,” Speth said. “We cut the lead down to 1 or 2 a couple more times, but we never were able to take control of the game.”

The Huskies’ free throws also helped in the final moments of the game to hang on for the win.

“Despite not shooting well from the field or the free-throw line, and struggling with turnovers, our boys played extremely hard and gained some valuable experience playing in the tournament,” Speth said.

Two Prospectors were recognized as Wapiti All-League players: Trace Gill, second team, and Ricky Weickum, honorable mention.