By Mike Weber
For Columbia Gorge News
HOOD RIVER — After starting the season by losing five of six OSAA non-league boys basketball games, the Hood River Valley High Eagles turned the momentum in their favor at the Caldera Holiday Tournament Dec. 27-29 in Bend.
In their first tourney game on Dec. 27, the Eagles (3-6) snapped a five-game losing streak with a 65-51 win over the Class 6A Forest Grove High Vikings (5-4). The Eagles then won their second straight, 49-41, over the Putnam High Kingsmen (2-4). They concluded the tourney with a 58-48 loss to the Class 6A McNary High Celtics (6-2) of Keizer.
Their strong preseason schedule included four 6A teams, including facing three squads (Forest Grove, McNary, Barlow) with winning records. The Eagles, guided by 11th-year Coach Chris Dirks, are hoping that the challenging schedule will help prepare them to face tough opponents in the Class 5A Northwest Oregon Conference.
“A huge part of a tough preseason schedule was to prepare us for NWOC play,” said Dirks. “Last year, we were able to beat the top finishers in the state (La Salle, Canby, Wilsonville) throughout the season. We lost to a few teams that we shouldn’t have, which prevented us from going to the playoffs. This season, we wanted to push ourselves early on and prepare for anyone we will face in the conference. I think we have accomplished that.”
Last year, the La Salle Prep High Falcons won the 5A state championship, Canby took third place and Wilsonville finished fourth. Wilsonville (15-1 NWOC last year), the defending league champion, suffered its only setback of the conference season in a 62-57 home loss to Hood River on Feb. 4, 2025. Centennial was the fourth place NWOC team last year and qualified for state. HRV (7-9 NWOC, 12-12 overall) took sixth place in the nine-team league standings.
“I think we play in the best conference in the state,” said Dirks. “We have really started to hit our stride, and we can compete with anyone we step on the court with. It will be a challenge, but I absolutely believe this group can compete for a state playoff spot.”
The Eagles have been led offensively by juniors JJ Poole and Grant Dunn, along with seniors Talon Britt and Maverick Hockett. Senior Cooper Wells has been the Eagles’ leading rebounder and senior Deacon Ybarra is leading the Eagles in assists.
“We’ve had some really great performances from the whole team, and it was good to get freshman Ian Wells some playing time in varsity games recently,” said Dirks. “It has been really cool to see this group play as a team and have guys on the bench be so supportive and bought in.”
The Eagles were seeking to get a road win in the opening contest of their 16-game NWOC schedule on Jan. 5 at Wilsonville (6-3). The Eagles play their first NWOC home contest Jan. 7 at 7:15 p.m. against the Hillsboro High Spartans (6-1). The Eagles split two games with the Spartans last year with both winning home games.
“Overall, I think this group of young men have been amazing at making adjustments and have been trending in the right direction,” said Dirks. “I am excited to start conference play this week and I know the guys are too. I think we have a group that will always give themselves a chance to compete at the end of games. It will make for a really fun and exciting conference season.”
Following the Jan. 7 contest, the Eagles will play their third game in five days with a 7:15 p.m. home game Jan. 9 vs. La Salle (1-7).
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