Ranger girls in first place

THE GORGE — The Dufur girls basketball team continues to lead the Big Sky League two weeks into the conference season, with the Rangers’ latest wins coming back-to-back against their closest pursuers.

Dufur (12-2 overall, 4-0 league) won Jan. 16 at Trout Lake, 33-26, and Jan. 17 at home against Ione/Arlington, 49-26. Trout Lake (9-3, 3-1) and Ione/Arlington (8-5, 3-1) were tied for second place, heading into week No. 3 of the conference season. Dufur was ranked ninth in the OSAA rankings as of Jan. 18.

Dufur’s pressing, aggressive defense forced Trout Lake into numerous turnovers early, but the Mustangs also caused the Rangers to commit many miscues of their own. Dufur led 6-2 after one quarter, with Trout Lake’s lone two points coming from the foul line with 16 seconds to play in the quarter. The free throws were part of a 10-4 Mustang scoring run, which left the game tied at halftime.

Makaila Miller’s three-pointer gave Dufur a 16-10 lead midway through the third period. Dufur scored twice in the closing 25 seconds of the quarter to build a 23-15 advantage. Hailee Pechanec’s successive baskets to start the final period proved to be enough of a cushion (12 points) to ward off the home team.

Eden Anderson, playing in her first game since knee surgery, led a Trout Lake comeback with six straight points to pull the Mustangs within 31-26 with a minute remaining. Anderson led Trout Lake in scoring with 11 points. Pechanec scored 15 points to pace the Rangers.

Trout Lake bounced back Jan. 17 at Mitchell, winning 43-24 to stay a game behind Dufur.

In other Big Sky girls play, South Wasco County (3-11, 2-2) won its second straight conference contest, 41-17 at Condon on Jan. 17. The Redsides are tied for fourth place one third of way through their league slate. Two teams seeking their first league victories, Condon and Horizon Christian, were scheduled to play Jan. 20 at Condon.