The Union basketball team receives its trophy for placing sixth at the OSAA Class 1A state tournament in Baker City on March 2, 2024, after falling just three points shy of a fourth-place finish to Lost River. Even with the game not ending the way the Bobcats wanted, sixth place remains the program's best showing since the early 1950s.

BAKER CITY — In the early 1950s, the Union basketball team finished as runners-up in the state basketball tournament. It has been a bit of a drought since then.

On Saturday, March 2, the Bobcats wrapped up the year with a sixth-place showing in the OSAA Class 1A state tournament, falling just three points shy of a fourth-place finish to Lost River.

Even with the game not ending the way wanted, sixth place remains the best showing since that game so long ago.

“The team showed heart today, especially for taking the court at 9 a.m.,” Union head coach Odin Miller said. “I am proud of the seniors on this team and the leadership they showed the whole season and today. We have accomplished much this year.”

The game against the Raiders saw the score tied on eight occasions before Lost River finally claimed the 57-54 victory at the end.

Bobcat fans in Baker City were the first to cheer as Evan Cloutier placed the first points of the game on the board with just four seconds off the game clock. The two teams stood tied four times in the first eight minutes of play with Lost River able pull ahead in the final minute for a 16-13 lead.

The second quarter was even closer with the Raiders heading into the locker room at the half with only a 27-23 lead after outscoring the Bobcats 11 points to 10 points in the second quarter.

The two squads played to a dead tie in the third with both adding 13 points to their respective totals. Union was able to close the gap, but only by a single point in the final eight minutes, scoring 18 points compared to Lost River’s 17 points.

Much of Union’s close loss can be attributed to first half shooting. The Bobcats ended the first-half shooting just under 30%, bettering that in the second half to over 52% including going 5-for-11 from beyond the 3-point arc.

The smaller Raiders had problems with Union senior Tee Ledbetter in the paint.

Ledbetter, the Moda Player of the Game for Union, finished with 23 points and eight rebounds. Trae Frank added 12 points to go with four rebounds. Chase Koshinsky finished his game with seven points.

“This season has been one for the records,” Miller said. “The year marked back-to-back 20-win seasons along with back-to-back appearances in the Elite Eight.”

Miller will attempt an even better finish next season without the services of Ledbetter, Cloutier, Elijah Gliddon and Frank, all seniors.