by JAE HAGAR
The Mac-Hi girls varsity have been shooting for greatness this basketball season. For the seniors, Brittney Erb, Abi Biggs,Kitanya Crisman, Shannon Carter, and Sam Tveidt, this has been the last season that they can make their shots as Pioneers. Coach Brooke Garton, who also teaches science, anatomy, and crime scene science at Mac-Hi, took this job on, despite her many other obligations.
The team kept a third place spot in the Greater Oregon League. On Tuesday, February 16th they took on Ontario at home. The game was important to the players, so they made sure to play their best.
Nearly every play was executed with ease, and the Tiger’s defense and offense were no match for the Pioneers. They had numerous turnovers. Of those, many were caused 5’2 senior, Shannon Carter. She runs the court like a basketball ninja, and can jump higher than most, which is how she causes so many turnovers. The Pioneers’ defensive arsenal is full of great surprises.
The Pioneers beat the Tigers 37-22, making them eligible for the GOL playoffs against Baker on the 17th. The Bulldogs hosted the Pioneers. For Mac-Hi’s seniors, this game potentially determined if they would play any more games as Pioneers. If they had won, they would have played La Grande on Friday, and even though they lost, they qualified for a play-in game for state.
A groggy team, including coaches, managers, and supporters of the program boarded a charter bus on Friday, February 26th. Heading to Beaverton, the team was pumped up, and ready to take on the Valley Catholic Valiants. The Pioneers stopped at Multnomah Falls on their way to the game to stretch and take selfies.
With the loss of Sam Tveidt, a point guard, the Pioneers struggled to make forward plays. Their defensive tactics were no match for the Valiants. Yet, the fact that they made it this far is amazing considering they hadn’t made a play-in game since 1987. The Pioneers played their best, so the score doesn’t matter. Even though they knew they were going to lose, the Pioneers didn’t give up. These ladies have GRIT, and they played “Valiantly.”
The silver lining is the team accomplished the goals set at the beginning of the year: “Shock the World” and “Make a Play-In Game For State.” The community is on the edge of their seats to see what Brooke Garton will do next year with this team. GO PIONEERS!!
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