Powder Valley senior Janie Bingham guards Echo's Mayela De La Fuente in a quarterfinal game in the 1A state basketball tournament on Feb. 29, 2024, at Baker High School.

BAKER CITY — The march towards a state title continues for Powder Valley.

The Badgers downed the Echo Cougars, 45-38, in quarterfinal play of the 1A state basketball tournament on Thursday, Feb. 29, in Baker City.

The Badgers started the game quickly, scoring the first five points off baskets by Ayla Bingham and Jodi Bingham. At the end of the first quarter, the Badgers doubled up Echo, 16-8.

The Cougars battled back, outscoring Powder Valley in the second quarter, 9-7. At halftime, the Badgers went into the locker room with a 23-17 margin.

Echo continued to chip away at the lead in the third, again outscoring Powder Valley, 12-11. The Badgers closed out the win in the final eight minutes with an 11-point quarter to advance to the semifinals.

Kellee Dixon, chosen as the Moda Player of the Game for Powder Valley, led the Badgers with 12 points and seven rebounds. Ayla Bingham ended with 10 points and Jodi Bingham added seven points.

For the game, the Badgers were 38% shooting from the field going 16-for-42 and 44% from the free-throw line, ending 11-for-25. Powder Valley worked the ball inside, outscoring Echo in the paint, 20-12.

Powder Valley (22-6 overall) meets second-seed North Douglas (26-3 overall) on March 1 in semifinal play at Baker High School with the winner advancing to the championship game. The Badgers and Warriors take the court at 6 p.m.