UNION — Victories by both Union and Imbler on Tuesday. Feb. 20, translates to yet another showdown between the Bobcats and Panthers in the second round of the 1A state boys basketball tournament.

Before that can happen, Union needs to get past Willamette Valley Christian. As the eighth seed, the Bobcats host the Warriors for a 7 p.m. start on Feb. 20. Willamette Valley Christian makes the trip to the Union gym as the 25th seed in the tournament.

The Warriors ended the season with a 16-10 overall record and the fourth team from the 1A Casco League. Willamette Valley Christian was riding a two-game win streak before falling to Falls City/Kings Valley 48-41 to close out the regular season.

Union plays hosts after a 20-7 overall record for the season and a second-place showing at the 1A Old Oregon League tournament. After taking care of Pilot Rock and Imbler, Nixyaawii took the league title with a 66-51 victory over the Bobcats.

Imbler hosts Mountaineers in first round

IMBLER — After a third-place showing at thejust-completed 1A Old Oregon League tournament, Imbler takes a top-10 seeding into the 1A state playoffs.

The Panthers start the team’s playoff run on Tuesday, Feb. 20, welcoming the team of Falls City/Kings Valley to town for a 6:30 p.m. game.

The Mountaineers make the trip to Imbler as the third-rated team from the 1A Casco League and the 24th seed in the tournament. Falls City/Kings Valley compiled at 15-10 overall record for the season and have claimed victories in the team’s final three games. The team does have experience with four seniors and four juniors on the roster.

Imbler hosts as the ninth seed in the state tournament and begins a march toward a state title sporting a 23-3 overall record. After dropping a game to Union in the Panthers’ opening game of the 1A Old Oregon League tournament, Imbler bounced back for third place with a win over Cove.

A victory over the Mountaineers could set up a possible rematch with Union. The Bobcats host Willamette Valley Christian on Feb. 20 with the winner meeting the Imbler/Falls City/Kings Valley Charter winner.

Cove opens state run on road

TIGARD — Cove will take to the road in the first rounf of the 1A state boys basketball tournament as the Leopards will take on Valor Christian at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Westside Christian High School in Tigard.

After finishing fourth in the recent 1A Old Oregon League tournament, Cove enters the state tournament as the 18th seed. The Leopards were on a four-game win streak before dropping their final two matchups, the first to league champion Nixyaawii and the second to Imbler in a battle for third place at the tournament.

Playing in the 1A Valley 10 League, Valor Christian picked up the 15th seed for the 1A state tournament. The Knights finished the regular season with a 13-6 overall record and a second-place finish in the Valley 10 league tournament after a 59-41 loss to Open Door Christian Academy. Prior to the tournament, the Knights, Open Door Christian Academy and Country Christian all ended the season with identical 9-1 league records.

A victory by the Leopards could set up a game against the 1A Old Oregon League champions in the second round. While Cove is on the road Feb. 20, Nixyaawii hosts Days Creek in first-round action. A road victory by the Leopards combined with a home win by the Golden Eagles sets up a Cove/Nixyaawii rematch.