Kori Pentzer

IMBLER — The Grant Union Prospector girls and boys teams worked for wins on the road at the Imbler Panther court last Friday.

The Grant Union girls, currently No. 6 in the OSAA rankings, put up a defensive battle in their 46-40 victory.

“Imbler played good defense, but early in the game we missed some easy opportunities which allowed them to stay in the game,” said head coach Mark Mosley. “In the end, we came up with some clutch offensive possessions and good defensive stops.”

The Lady Prospectors had 13 successful attempts at the free-throw line, which helped earn the win.

“Kori Pentzer was nine for 11 from the free-throw line down the stretch to help clinch the win,” Mosley said.

Scoring was led by Kori Pentzer with 19, McKenzie Wilson 10, Heather Mosley eight, Samantha Brock six, Kaylee Wright three and Mariah Moulton two. Rebounding was led by Mosley with seven, Pentzer six, Wilson two, Brock two, Moulton two and Kaylee Wright one. Wilson led with six steals, Brock three and Pentzer one. Mosley had three blocked shots.

The Prospector boys entered the contest with Imbler, knowing their opponents rarely lose at home, and came away with a 52-28 win.

“We played well in a tough environment,” he said. “Our guys did a great job of meeting Imbler’s intensity level, and did a great job of playing team basketball throughout the entire game.”

Grant Union slowed down Imbler’s best players, while also keeping their support players limited.

Speth highlighted Wyatt Weaver for his defensive and offensive game, and Nathan Gehley for also playing well, along with the rest of the team.

“It was also great to have Wade Reimers back in the lineup,” Speth said.

Reimers was injured in a road game earlier in the season.

Speth said the win will help them in the league race.

“This puts us in second place with two games remaining,” he said. “We have a tiebreaker over Imbler for second place and lead Union by two games. We just need one win or a loss by either Union or Imbler to clinch a spot in the second- versus third-place game at districts. We are excited to get a great win on the road and are looking forward to this week’s games and the playoffs.”

Grant Union faced 1A Crane on the road on Tuesday past press time.

They travel to Elgin on Friday for games beginning at 3 p.m. (junior varsity girls will have a half game), and they’ll be in Cove Saturday for games beginning at 1 p.m. (junior varsity boys will have a half game).

The Wapiti 2A tournament will be held Feb. 19-20 at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.

The Prospector boys are currently No. 15 in the OSAA rankings.