Charlotte Bowers, shown in December competition, qualified for the Class 4A/3A/2A/1A state swimming meet in two individual events and a relay at the district competition at Molalla Aquatic Center Friday and Saturday. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr)

The Bulldogs qualified after placing in their events at the Special District 2 meet last weekend at Molalla. Final official district results were unavailable. District qualifiers were listed on the swimming section at www.osaa.org.

Harvest Christian Academy had a big weekend when it traveled to Ontario Friday to play the Champ Falcons.

The Harvest Christian boys won 65-26. Will Godes led the Knights with 16 points. Braden Phillips added 15, Jeff Hurst 14, Alex Turner 13, Josh Hurst and Josh Rodli each two, and Thomas Svitak one.

Trio of local businesses donate flag

A patriotic addition to the Baker High School gymnasium was unveiled Friday before the Baker boys and girls basketball games with Mac-Hi.

Bulldogs run win streak to 11 games; move one win away from crown

Dallas Defrees went up for a shot against a Mac-Hi defender Friday in Baker’s GOL win at BHS. Baker is one win away (or one Ontario loss) from clinching the GOL championship. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr)

That’s the number of Baker wins or Ontario losses it will take for Baker to claim the Greater Oregon League girls championship. And, ironically, it could happen Feb. 17 at Ontario when Baker visits the Tigers.

“Our magic number is one,” said Baker coach Tim Smith. “But this team’s goal is to go undefeated in league and prep for the playoffs.”

Baker came away with four individual championships and the team trophy from the Eastern Oregon Bank wrestling tournament at Heppner Saturday.

The Bulldogs amassed 185 points to top second-place Riverside by 10 points at the 15-team tournament. Pine-Eagle was eighth with 91 points.

Bulldogs romp in wins over Mac-Hi and Emmett

Kennan Richards looked to the basket around the defense of a Mac-Hi player Friday in Baker’s Greater Oregon League win. (Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr)

The Bulldogs improved their GOL record to 5-1 Friday with a 68-40 victory over Mac-Hi. The win keeps the Bulldogs tied for first place in the GOL with La Grande with three games remaining.

Saturday, Baker handed a visiting Emmett, Idaho, club a 70-53 defeat.

Ted Shaw, a first-team all-Greater Oregon League defensive lineman from Baker, was recently selected on the East roster for the annual East-West Shrine All-Star Football Game in Baker City.

Shaw helped the Bulldogs win the GOL championship and advance to the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs in November.

Other area selections on the East roster are Jake Turner of Ontario, Zane Murray and Cash Wenick of Grant Union, Russ Seals of Vale, Sam Fiorito of Union, Nick West of Imbler and former Bulldog Grant Marcum of Joseph.

East alternates include Andy Godfrey of La Grande, Michael Martin of Burns, Tyler Martin and Dustin Lippert of Grant Union, Clint Predmore of Elgin, Jeremy Moore of Union, Justin Brainerd of Cove, Sam Garnett of Joseph and Andrew Wilson of Wallowa.

Shrine game officials note that being selected is not a guaranteed participation in the game. Selected players must first return their parental permission slip and “keep their nose clean” in the intervening months.

The 2009 game will be played Aug. 1 at Bulldog Memorial Stadium.

What a difference a couple of days make.

Baker City Herald

Baker dominated the Class 3A Prospectors from John Day 66-33, winning five matches by pin. The Bulldogs then forged a 27-6 lead in their GOL matchup with Ontario. Then Ontario rallied by scoring the final 39 points, including a pair of Baker forfeits, to earn the come-from-behind win.

“Now that was wrestling,” said Baker coach Dee Gorrell.

Ten in a row and counting.

That’s how many straight games the Baker girls basketball team has won after posting a 52-35 non-league win at Nyssa Tuesday.

“Ten in a row and 12 of our last 13,” said Baker coach Tim Smith. “The girls just believe in themselves, and that’s half the battle. They’re playing well right now.”

The Bulldogs didn’t start out well against Nyssa, but righted things quickly. Baker led just 7-6 after one period, then increased its lead to 25-16 at halftime.

“We came out a little on the flat side,” Smith said. “We decided real quick that (Nyssa) was ready to play and then we stepped it up.

Bulldog defense shuts down La Grande in 46-25 GOL girls contest

Dallas Defrees, shown earlier in the season, led Baker’s defensive effort against La Grande Friday. Baker remained unbeaten in the GOL with a 46-25 victory at La Grande. Baker City Herald/Kathy Orr)

Despite scoring just three points in the fourth quarter Baker was never threatened.

Baker opened the game scoring seven unanswered points, including three layins in a span of 20 seconds. After Whitney Phillips broke the scoring ice with a free throw, Mackenzie Warner sandwiched two layins around another by Dallas Defrees for a quick 7-0 Baker lead.

Warner and Defrees each tallied six points, and Tara Talbott four, as Baker stormed to a 17-3 lead after one quarter.