15U Stars primed for district title

“I feel we are ready for the challenge,” said Herriges. “This team is experienced and passionate about the game. They hate to lose and are willing to do everything in their power to win games. We will need a lot to go our way to go as far as we want, but there is no other group of young men I would rather have on my team then what I see here.”

The first step toward that path starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, as The Dalles takes on Pendleton at Kramer Field.

Also at the tournament is Clackamas, who plays the winner of Saturday’s opener at 2 p.m.

After that contest, the two losers square off at 5 p.m. with the loser of that tilt earning the No. 3 district seed.

Championship play starts at noon Sunday, and if one of the teams has only one loss, then a 3 p.m. finale is set in stone.

Since there are only three District 5 teams, all of them qualify for districts in Ontario, which take place from July 24-26 for pool play. The top four teams advance to title bracket action on Sunday.

Leading the way are team captains Denzel Arellano and Boston Bate.

John Miller, Dylon Jinkins, Izaac Tapia and Dawson Hoffman add speed to the roster and Tyler Westin, Preston Klindt, Tanner Herriges, Jacob Wetmore and Aaron Maney make up the muscle to provide some pop to the order.

In addition to that core group that has been playing together since they were nine-years old, Max Martin, from Sherman and the White Salmon, Wash. duo of Cameron Wang and Matty Changar are ready to become integral pieces of the playoff puzzle.