By Mike Weber
For Columbia Gorge News
HOOD RIVER — The Hood River Valley High Eagles have had a solid amount of success this year in OSAA Class 5A boys basketball and have a chance to qualify for the state playoffs.
The Eagles had a recent slump, losing three of four games, which dropped them to sixth place in the standings. Hood River, guided by 10th-year Coach Chris Dirks and assistant Coach Eric Fauth, is in a logjam in the nine-team Northwest Oregon Conference standings. The Eagles have a shot at going to the playoffs for the first time since 2022 if they win their final four regular season games.
The No. 22-ranked Eagles (5-7 NWOC, 8-13 overall) lost Feb. 12, 71-47, at No. 5-ranked Canby (11-1 NWOC, 14-6 overall). On Feb. 9, the Eagles lost another tough road contest, 57-46, to the defending Class 5A state champion La Salle Prep High Falcons (5-6 NWOC, 6-13 overall). The No. 20-ranked Falcons are tied for fourth place with the No. 15-ranked Centennial High Eagles (5-6 NWOC, 9-11 overall).
“With four games left, we are in position to make a playoff push,” said Dirks. “It is shaping up to be a close race for fourth place. The Northwest Oregon Conference is one of, if not the best, 5A conferences in the state. We have been competitive every night with high energy, team first basketball.”
The well-rested Eagles will play their first game in eight days on Feb. 20, when they’ll try to snap a two-game losing streak at Centennial. HRV won the last matchup between the two teams, 56-46, Jan. 20 at Vannet Court.
“This has been a really fun group of young men to coach,” said Dirks. “They impress us every game. Our coaching staff has done an amazing job preparing them for games to help keep us in the mix for a possible playoff berth. The team has been playing good basketball; we’re staying competitive this year and we’re building for the future.”
HRV plays its next home game Feb. 24 at 5:45 p.m. versus the Putnam High Kingsmen (2-9 NWOC, 4-14 overall).
The Eagles have already beaten three of the teams they will play in their final four contests. The lone loss came to No. 3-ranked and league leading Parkrose (11-1 NWOC, 18-3 overall). HRV lost at home, 74-51, to Parkrose on Jan. 27 and the Eagles, who play the Broncos Feb. 27.
In their last four games, the Eagles have been led offensively by juniors JJ Poole (14.5 points per game average) and Grant Dunn, who averaged a team-high 16.5 points per game along with an average of six rebounds.
Seniors Talon Britt (9.9 points, six rebounds), Cooper Wells (6.8 points, 10.8 rebounds) and Deacon Ybarra (9.5 points, five assists per game) have also been contributing with strong efforts.
“We have had six different leading scorers throughout the season with some big games by JJ, Talon, Grant, Cooper, Deacon and Mav Hockett,” said Dirks. “Max Graves and Jerry Serrano have come off the bench and provided valuable minutes too when called upon, as well.”
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