Central Oregonian

Lava Bears blast Cowboys 76-41

Crook County team decimated by injuries, missing players

CENTRAL OREGONIAN FILE PHOTO

Preston Washechek led the Cowboys in scoring on Tuesday with 14 points as Crook County fell to the Bend Lava Bears.

Lon Austin

February 14, 2013

When the 2012-2013 boys basketball season started, the Crook County High School Cowboys were filled with optimism.

The team had 10 seniors on the roster, including a number of players with varsity experience.

By the time the Cowboys’ game with the Bend Lava Bears started on Tuesday night ,Crook County had just five seniors ready to play.

“Regardless of the other stuff going on, when Dillon Dean went down in warm-ups it really hurt us,” said head coach Jeff Lowenbach. “When we sat down for our post-game meeting — I didn’t say this — but everyone said that we are cursed and we are snake-bit. The team knows that things aren’t normal.”

Faced with the player shortage, the Cowboys were never in Tuesday’s game with the Lava Bears. Crook County fell behind early and eventually lost 76-41.

Shooting proved to be the big difference in the contest. Bend hit on 53 percent of their three-point attempts and 57 percent overall, while Crook County converted on just 28 percent of their three-point attempts and 39 percent overall.

“It was a tough situation for us,” Lowenbach said. “We have trouble competing with 5A schools when everything is going well, and right now things aren’t going well. On top of that, Bend shot the ball really well.”

Bend also hurt the Cowboys on the boards, picking up 32 rebounds to just 17 for Crook County.

Preston Washechek led the Cowboy offensive attack with 14 points. Troy Benton was also in double figures with 10, while Dillon Dees added seven. A. J. Cooper led Crook County on the boards with seven rebounds.

Connor Scott scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead a balanced Lava Bear attack. Christian Johnson pitched in with 15 points, while Jacob Parsons and Jaylin Robinson added 12 points apiece.

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 7-12 on the year.

Crook County is back in action tonight when they host the Redmond Panthers. The Cowboys are home again on Tuesday when they host the Ridgeview Ravens.

It is senior night for the Cowboys. In addition, the two teams have split their first two games this year. With both teams mired far down the OSAA power rankings, only the winner of their three-game series will earn a play-in game. With so much on the line, Lowenbach is hoping for a large crowd to turn out and support the Cowboys.

Game time for both contests is set for 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

Bend 76, Crook County 41

at Bend

Crook County (41) — Preston Washechek 14, Benton 10, Dees 7, Cooper 4, Kessi 3, Mahurin 3, Rutz, Bartels, Tavernia, Sofich. Totals 17 2-7 41.

Bend (76) — Connor Scott 17, Johnson 15, Robinson 12, Parsons 12, Spitler 9, Larson 5, Beaumarchais 4, Vanassen 2, Harmeson, Holliday. Totals 29 10-15 76.

Crook County 7 10 13 11 — 41

Bend 14 16 18 28 — 76

Three-point goals — Crook County: Benton, Kessi, Mahurin, Washechek, Dees; Bend: Johnson 3, Robinson 2, Scott, Spitler, Larson.