The Hood River Valley High Eagles have shifted their momentum following a challenging start to the season, achieving notable success at the Caldera Holiday Tournament held from December 27 to 29 in Bend, Oregon. After beginning with a disappointing record of three wins and six losses in non-league play, the Eagles demonstrated their resilience by securing two victories and one narrow defeat during the tournament.
In their opening game on December 27, the Eagles defeated the Class 6A Forest Grove High Vikings with a score of 65-51, breaking a five-game losing streak. They continued their strong performance with a 49-41 victory over the Putnam High Kingsmen. However, the Eagles faced a setback in their final tournament match, losing 58-48 to the Class 6A McNary High Celtics.
Preparing for Conference Play
The Eagles have faced a rigorous preseason schedule, including four Class 6A teams, which has prepared them for the competitive landscape of the Class 5A Northwest Oregon Conference. Coach Chris Dirks, in his 11th year at the helm, expressed the importance of this challenging schedule. “A huge part of a tough preseason schedule was to prepare us for NWOC play,” he stated. “Last year, we lost to some teams we shouldn’t have, which prevented us from going to the playoffs. This season, we wanted to push ourselves early on and prepare for anyone we will face in the conference.”
The Eagles previously competed against top teams, such as the La Salle Prep High Falcons, who won the 5A state championship last year, and the Canby Cougars and Wilsonville Wildcats, who secured third and fourth places, respectively. Notably, the Eagles managed to defeat Wilsonville during the last conference season, contributing to their sixth-place finish in the nine-team league.
Coach Dirks is optimistic about the team’s potential, stating, “I think we play in the best conference in the state. We have really started to hit our stride, and we can compete with anyone we step on the court with. It will be a challenge, but I absolutely believe this group can compete for a state playoff spot.”
Key Players and Upcoming Matches
The Eagles rely on key contributions from several players, including juniors JJ Poole and Grant Dunn, as well as seniors Talon Britt and Maverick Hockett. Senior Cooper Wells leads the team in rebounds, while senior Deacon Ybarra tops the assists category. Coach Dirks noted the team’s collective effort, highlighting the importance of teamwork and support among players, including freshman Ian Wells.
As the Eagles prepare to begin their 16-game NWOC schedule, they will look for a road win against Wilsonville on January 5, 2025. They will then host their first home game of the conference season on January 7 at 19:15 against the Hillsboro High Spartans, a team they split games with last year.
Dirks remarked on the team’s adaptability and determination: “Overall, I think this group of young men have been amazing at making adjustments and have been trending in the right direction. I am excited to start conference play this week, and I know the guys are too. I think we have a group that will always give themselves a chance to compete at the end of games. It will make for a really fun and exciting conference season.”
Following their match against Hillsboro, the Eagles will face La Salle on January 9, providing an opportunity to build on their recent successes.
