Central Oregonian

Loggers defeat Eagles, Cougars

Mitchell closes out regular season in style with wins over Spray and Ukiah

Lon Austin

February 14, 2013

The Mitchell Loggers closed out the regular season in style.

The Loggers won their final two regular-season games to finish with a 6-11 record, wrapping up third place in the Western half of the High Desert League.

The Loggers overcame a slow start against Spray, outscoring the Eagles 19-6 in the fourth quarter as they took a 39-31 victory. The team had an easier time against the Ukiah Cougars as they jumped out to a 19-3 lead and coasted to a 51-34 victory.

“The game against Spray was a good test for us,” head coach Tim Foster said. “For the first three quarters we struggled severely to get the ball in the basket. We were getting good shots, but nothing fell. Then everything came together in the fourth quarter.”

Led by 21 points from Megan White, Spray led 25-18 late in the third quarter before Mitchell went on a 15-0 run. The run started when Farrell Fox was fouled while attempting a three-point shot just as time expired ending the third quarter. Fox hit two of the three free throws and the Loggers were within five.

From there, it was all Mitchell. Fox scored 12 of her career high 17 points in the fourth quarter as the Loggers pulled out the come-from-behind victory.

Miranda Holt also had a huge fourth quarter, scoring seven of her 10 points in the period.

Against Ukiah, the Loggers were in control throughout, leading 34-7 at the half.

Fox led a balanced Mitchell attack with 13 points. Holt added 12 points in the contest, while Jenna Perry-Zapara and Jenay Apperson were also in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively.

Although Foster was pleased with the win, he was also concerned with the lack of intensity in the second half.

“We started out really well,” he said. “It was a fun game and we relaxed, maybe a bit too much in the second half, but coasted to the win.”

With the third-place finish, the Loggers faced Adrian, second place in the Eastern half of the league, on Thursday in the first round of the High Desert League tournament.

The tournament continues through Saturday in John Day.

Mitchell 39, Spray 31

at Spray

Mitchell (39) — Farrell Fox 17, Holt 10, Jo. Apperson 5, Perry-Zapara 4, Je. Apperson 2, Tolton 1, Loerzer, Domenighini. Totals 14 8-16 39.

Spray (31) — Megan White 21, Severson 8, Ordway 2, Martinson, Belli. Totals 10 10-15 31.

Mitchell 7 5 8 19 — 39

Spray 8 8 9 6 — 31

Three-point goals — Mitchell: Fox, Holt, Jo. Apperson; Spray: Severson.

Mitchell 51, Ukiah 34

at Mitchell

Ukah (34) — Luisa Ferreira 21, Shimajo 11, Gulden 2, Hung, Tam, Aroonchai, Bayamigi. Totals 14 6-13 34.

Mitchell (51) — Farrell Fox 13, Holt 12, Perry-Zapara 11, Je. Apperson 10, Loerzer 5, Tolton, Domenighini. Totals 23 4-4 51.

Ukiah 3 4 16 11 — 34

Mitchell 19 15 11 6 — 51

Three-point goals — Ukiah: none; Mitchell: Fox.