Young Riverhawk girls team ready to take the court

THE DALLES - Following an offseason of significant changes, The Dalles High Riverhawks OSAA Class 4A girls basketball team will open the 2025-26 season on Dec. 4 with a 6:30 p.m. nonleague road game at Crook County in a three-day tournament in Prineville.

The Riverhawks started practicing Nov. 17 with a much different squad than a year ago, when they advanced to the state playoffs for the first time in 10 years. That squad, led by Tri-Valley Conference all-league players Maddie Brock (honorable mention) and TVC player-of-the-year Sydney Newby, took second place in the league standings (8-2 TVC, 18-6 overall).

Newby and Brock both graduated, as did Laci Hoylman. Also gone is Coach Darcey Hodges, who resigned after four years. She was replaced by Coach Ronni Blodgett, who will have a young squad, led by senior guard Hailey Johnston, a first team all-league selection last year and senior guard Jackie Begay. The Riverhawks have three juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen on the varsity.

“We will have new team dynamics,” said Blodgett. “Anyone could be the leading scorer on any given night. It’s very exciting to be the new head coach and I’m looking forward to the opening game and many others as the season progresses.”

The Riverhawks are hoping that they’ll be one of the top TVC contenders again this year and perhaps make it to the playoffs a second straight season. The 2024-25 champion, Crook County, is not in the league, having moved up to the Class 5A level. Molalla was third a year ago and with four seniors, they’re the most experienced squad in the five-team TVC.

Seven of 10 varsity players return for The Dalles. They include sophomore guard Bryce Newby, junior guard Morgan Donivan, junior guard Kestley Hodges. junior forward Evelyn Rogers and sophomore guard Willow Ziegenhagen. Bryce Newby was a TVC second team, all-league award winner last season.

The Riverhawks play their first nonleague home game 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16 versus St. Helens.