Grant Union Prospectors Nathan Gehley (left) and Wyatt Weaver, both seniors, received first team, All-League recognition at the Wapiti District Basketball Tournament. Senior Trace Gill was named to the second team, and sophomore Wade Reimers received honorable mention.

LA GRANDE — Competition for the Grant Union boys at the 2A Wapiti District Tournament was explosive, and the Prospectors came out on the losing end with a 50-56 loss to Imbler and a 44-46 loss to Union.

The Prospectors beat Imbler twice in the regular season, but struggled Friday for their third meeting.

Head coach Steve Speth described the game as “close, intense and physical.”

“The boys played well at times and struggled at times as well,” he said. “We had more turnovers than normal throughout the game.”

The teams were tied at the half. Grant Union scored right away in the third, but Imbler then made a big run.

Play went back and forth the entire game.

“In the end, we weren’t able to make enough plays to win,” Speth said. “We cost ourselves by missing several free throws and lay-ups, which ended up being the difference in the game.”

Imbler continued Saturday, blowing out Burns to win the district title.

Grant Union had another physical game competing with Union on Saturday.

The Prospectors struggled with turnovers, but were able to open up a 23-16 lead with a good run in the second quarter.

“Union made a late charge in the last minute to pull to within one at the half,” Speth said.

Scoring went back and forth, then Union gained a four-point lead late, forcing Grant Union to foul.

“(It was a) very disappointing end to what was a very good season,” Speth said. “I still believe we are one of the top teams in the state, but because of the way the OSAA has the playoffs set up and because our league is so difficult, we are not going to the state playoffs.”

All-League honors went to seniors Wyatt Weaver and Nathan Gehley, first team; senior Trace Gill, second team; and sophomore Wade Reimers, honorable mention.

The stats

GU vs. Imbler

Player/points/rebounds/steals/assists

Nathan Gehley: 17/7/0/2

Wade Reimers: 9/6/0/0

Zack Deiter: 9/4/1/0

Wyatt Weaver: 6/4/3/3

Duane Stokes: 4/0/0/0

Clayton Vaughan: 3/2/0/3

Cauy Weaver: 2/4/0/1

Ricky Weickum: 0/1/0/1

GU vs. Union

Reimers: 17/5/0/2

Gehley: 9/5/2/1

Deiter: 7/1/0/0

Weickum: 3/2/1/1

Vaughan: 3/1/1/0

Stokes: 3/0/1/1

Wyatt Weaver: 2/6/2/3

Cauy Weaver: 0/6/3/2