Mohawk Indians 1A Boys Basketball State Champions
By Brian Addison
“I’ve been blessed over the past eight years. It’s been a fun run and we’ve won four championships in the last eight years now. I’ve worked with great kids and great families, it’s been incredible. Wonderful families. This is a very emotional win because I’ve decided to move on after this year and I’ve already handed in my resignation,” said Oregon State 1A Boys Basketball Champions Mohawk Indians head coach Bart Rothenberger moments after the state championship victory over the Triangle Lake Lakers Saturday night.
“To the people of Baker City, the Chamber of Commerce, US Bank and the other sponsors, it’s been incredible. There’s nowhere better for this state tournament and I recommend to the OSAA that they hold the tournament here in Baker City, forever,” Rothenberger continued. When asked about his future he answered, “I’m looking for another coaching job.” Of that the opposing coaches at the 1A level may take solace. Seconds after the loss in the final game Saturday night, Lakers head coach Jim Bellingham seemed inconsolable. Coach Bellingham may have been a little bit shell-shocked as well, at the hands of a 12-points loss decided largely in the fourth quarter, when at moments Triangle Lake seemingly had control of the contest.
Joseph Girls Claims 1A State Championship In Rematch With St. Paul
By Brian Addison
The Joseph Eagles girls’ basketball team brings the Oregon State 1A Championship title home to eastern Oregon as representatives out of the local 7-1A district. The Eagles win more than just the state title after winning over many local fans as they finish an undefeated season in the Baker High School gymnasium on their march through the district and state basketball tournaments. “When you talk to them they are very polite and respectful, every sentence ends with sir. The Joseph players and coaches are just a class act. And those girls can play,” as tournament volunteer Skip Stiglich said during the district tournament held here two weeks ago.
The final match-up of the state championship this past weekend, paired the top ranked Joseph Eagles against the second ranked Lady Buckaroos from St. Paul. The 2008 final was a rematch from the 2007 1A girls’ championship final. For the second year in a row, the two teams staged a tightly contested battle and this year the Joseph girls shed tears of joy and avenge the emotional overtime defeat from the state finals last year with a 60-52 victory, capping a perfect 29-0 season record. The victory gives the Joseph girls their first state title since 1983.
Two Arrested Following Rash Of Car Prowling Incidents
By Debby Schoeningh
Two Baker City men were arrested following a month-long rash of car prowling reports. Ty Sarazin, 20, was charged with five counts of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and Freddie Butler, 20, was charged with 20 counts of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, one count of second degree theft and four counts of third degree theft.
Lt. Brian Harvey with the Baker City Police Department said Sarazin was arrested March 1 at 12:18 a.m. following a traffic stop and Butler was arrested March 2 at 11:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building after being asked to come in for an interview. Sarazin was lodged in Baker County Jail and Butler was cited and released.
The two arrests, Harvey said, do not appear to be related.
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