Mac-Hi’s Girls Varsity Shoots For the Stars

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!!

Due to Popular Demand: Garton Opens Up New Period of Anatomy/Physiology

by BECKY HAMMILL

Coming to Mac-Hi second semester is an anatomy/physiology class being taught by Ms. Garton, which is good news for students looking to go into the medical field or students just wanting to get a better understanding of the human body. There was a lot of student demand for the class, so the administration opened a second period. 
“It should be very similar to last year’s class where we will study the different systems in the human body and how they work,” said Garton. She explains that it is a great class for students to take who are interested in going into a medical career field. “The class should allow students to become more sound in their fundamental knowledge of the human body and the science of how the human body works,” she said. Garton then added that anyone thinking of going into a career in a health or medical field would benefit from this, as most colleges and vocational schools require students to take some form of a human anatomy course as a requirement for a degree or certification.

This class will be offered 4th and 5th period, so - if you want in, you’d better get in fast before the classes are filled!

The Lady Pioneers Continue Making Baskets

by KAREN STEELE

Brooke Garton is taking over the position of head coach for the Lady Pioneers Basketball team. As a 4A team in the Greater Oregon League, the Varsity Team’s overall record is 8-5, and are ranked #18 in the OSAA.  Among this year’s returning seniors are Shannon Carter, Kitanya Crisman, Kylee Fite, Jenny Field, Brittney Erb, Samantha Tveidt, and Abi Biggs. The next home games are:

• 01/23 at 3pm against Baker
• 01/26 at 6pm against Athena
• 01/30 at 3pm against Ontario, and
• 02/08 at 6pm against La Grande.

If you haven’t been out to watch the Lady Pioneers play yet, you have four more chances to get out there and show your Crimson & Black spirit!

Mac-Hi Volleyball Team Strives Towards Championship

by DARBY FRESKE

Second-year coaches Amanda Nelson and Brooke Garton are hard at work preparing for a winning volleyball season this year.

With new and returning players, they “expect us to do better than last year,” says coach Nelson.  Some players to look out for on varsity are new freshman Jadie Jackson, junior Delaney  Karrels and seniors Shannon Carter, Amber Wells and, Brittney Erb.

Shannon Carter is the libero (a back row player who gets digs and shanked balls) for the Lady Pioneers. She is very scrappy and aggressive on the court. At 5’ 9”,  Amber Wells is one of the main spikers on the team, and also she is also a blocker, and she has been a great player since middle school.  The Lady Pioneers have played tremendously with two home games already. When asked how she feels about the team this year, coach Nelson stated, “ I feel really good about this year’s team. I believe they will go far this season.” In 2015 with eleven wins and seventeen losses, Mac-Hi ranked 3rd in the Greater Oregon League.

Currently, the Lady Pioneers have 1 win and 5 losses this year. The team would really love to go to state this year and get a higher ranking in the Greater Oregon League. “I think we have a lot of potential,” says an anonymous source. “We don’t have a lot of supporters during the home games” some more of the players complain. “So come support the Lady Pioneers, keep up with your Mac-Hi volleyball team. Go Lady Pioneers!” encouraged setter Delaney Karrels.