Experienced HRV girls prepare for basketball season

HOOD RIVER – Basketball season is almost here at Hood River Valley High School as the girls program started practice for the 2025-26 season on Nov. 17.

The Eagle girls went 13-10 overall and 7-7 in Northwest Oregon Conference (NWOC) play in the 2024-25 season. Now led by first-year Coach Zach Pauls, the team returns some experience with six returning varsity players and three returning starters.

“We need to replace a large chunk of scoring,” said Pauls. “We’re looking at Bella (Howe), who provided some consistent scoring last year for us, and Addi (Van Metre) and Emily Doss provided a little bit of consistent scoring. So, we’re looking for them to step into the role of scoring the points that we lost from last year.”

Howe was a member of the NWOC second team all-league squad for the 2024-25 season.

As for goals this season, Pauls and the Eagles have the playoffs in mind.

“We have a great group, and we’re really excited to go compete in the Northwest Oregon Conference,” he said. “I think this group can go out and compete for a playoff spot.”

HRV opens its season Dec. 5 at its Battle of the Bridge Tournament. The Eagles play at 5:45 p.m. against King’s Way, from Vancouver, WA. Hood River will play at 2 p.m. Dec. 6 against Cleveland High of Portland.