With just three practices since the football team won a state championship, the Dufur Rangers hung around as long as they could in a 48-35 home loss to Nixyaawii Friday in boys’ basketball action at Dufur High School.

“It was a typical early-season game coming with a short practice schedule,” said Dufur head coach Ron Townsend. “Our effort was pretty good, but execution was lacking. We also did not shoot the ball well, as exhibited by our 7 for 20 from the free throw line. We will get better as we move on.”