Powder Valley's Ayla Bingham brings the ball up the court during the OSAA 1A state playoff game against Chiloquin at Powder Valley on Feb. 24, 2024. After a back and forth game, Powder Valley cinched the win 57-51.

BAKER CITY — Powder Valley makes the quick drive to Baker City on Thursday, Feb. 29, ready to start quarterfinal action in the 1A state basketball tournament against the surprising Cougars of Echo.

The sixth-seeded Badgers hit the court against the 14th-seeded Cougars starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Baker High School gym.

Riding a 13-game win streak, the Badgers advance to the quarterfinals after a 57-51 home victory over Chiloquin in the second round on Feb. 24. Powder Valley, the 1A Old Oregon League champions, is one of three teams representing the league — joining Imbler and Echo — among the remaining eight teams still in contention for a state title.

The Badgers take on Echo, the lowest seed in the tournament still on the court. The Cougars make the trip to Baker coming off an upset victory over third-seeded Jordan Valley on Feb. 24. On the road and playing in Jordan Valley, the Cougars shocked the shorthanded Mustangs, 51-41.

This will not be the first meeting between the two teams this season. The teams met in the Old Oregon League tournament on Feb. 17. In a close game, Powder Valley claimed a 55-51 victory.

The winner of the rematch will move onto the semifinals to meet either North Clackamas Christian or North Douglas in semifinal play.