La Grande celebrates the team’s 4A Greater Oregon League title on Feb. 17, 2024, and will host the first round of the 4A state tournament.

LA GRANDE — La Grande is practicing patience along with basketball skills. After winning the 4A Greater Oregon League playoffs with a 54-51 victory over Pendleton on Saturday, Feb. 17, the Tigers will not discover the team’s state tournament opponent until late Feb. 20 as the team rankings freeze at 10 p.m.

“The game against Pendleton was a tough one,” La Grande head coach Brian Wright said. “Pendleton brought all they had and we gave up way too many points. It could have gone either way.”

The Buckaroos, scoring 22 points in the second quarter, led at halftime, 34-30. La Grande forged a comeback in the second half, outscoring Pendleton 12-9 in the third quarter and taking the win with a 12-8 advantage in the final eight minutes of the game.

Payton (Daggett) had probably her best game of the season,” Wright said. “We have seen real improvement from her over the past couple weeks.”

Daggett led the Tigers with 14 points, 10 in the second half. Kayle Collman finished her game with nine points and Rowan Evans and Maezie Wilcox each added eight points.

Both La Grande and Pendleton advance to the state 4A tournament and the game marked the third victory over the Buckaroos from the Tigers this season.