THE GORGE — South Wasco County’s Jason Hull and Dufur High’s Hailey Pechanec led their teams to the Big Sky League boys and girls basketball championships this season and were honored by the conference coaches as the players of the year.
Hull led the state in scoring this regular season and helped the Redside boys to the regular season and district tournament championships. He was joined on the first team by fellow senior Rowen Huff, while South Wasco freshman Ryker Thompson was an honorable mention selection.
Pechanec, a junior, helped the Rangers win the girls regular season and district tournament championships. Senior Makaila Miller was a first team pick for Dufur, and junior Cadence Young was a second-team choice.
The South Wasco girls, who finished third in the league, had two first-team players, in senior Bailey Udey and senior Jayda Iverson. Junior Jayden Chiccino was a second team pick.
League runner-up Trout Lake was represented on the first team by the league’s leading scorer, senior Emma Patterson. Junior teammate Eden Anderson was an honorable mention choice.
Also on first team for the girls was Delaney Stefani of Ione/Arlington. On second team were senior Addison Smith of Sherman; Carson Wade of Condon; and Juuna Watkins of Wheeler County. Honorable mention choices were: Molly Davis of Wheeler County; Khira Kreitzer of Ione/Arlongton; Allison Rolfe of Sherman; and Timber Wright of Condon.
Joining Hull on the boys first team was senior Ben Chapman of state playoff bound Horizon Christian; and seniors Jack Thiemann and Carson Ramsay of Lyle/Wishram. Ryder Steward of league runner-up Ione/Arlington also made first team.
Senior Owen Spino of Klickitat/Glenwood, Junior Jake Fargher of Dufur, and Gage Simpson of Sherman were among the second-team picks. Gorge players earning honorable mention were Shane Spino of Klickitat/Glenwood, and Landon Whitaker of Horizon Christian.
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