BAKER CITY — Nixyaawii had top-ranked Union on the ropes for three quarters, but the Bobcats rallied in the fourth quarter for a 65-60 victory in the Old Oregon League district championship game Saturday at Baker High School for their first district title since 2007.

“Resilience is the word that comes to mind about tonight,” Union coach Odin Miller said. “Nixy was extremely hot from 3-point range, and they had every intention to put us away, but our boys never stopped believing that we could win.”

The teams now await 1A state pairings. Union will receive a home game in the first round.

“I’m very proud of them and what they accomplished this weekend and throughout the season,” Nixyaawii coach Aaron Noisey said. “We came up short, but it wasn’t because of lack of effort. Like I tell the boys all the time, players win games and coaches lose games. This one is on me. They need to walk with their heads held high and know they did the best they could.”

Nixyaawii (16-11) led pretty much the entire game and had a 48-46 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Landon Fratzke scored 16 of his points in the fourth quarter, including six clutch free throws, as the Bobcats (24-2) went on a 19-12 run to escape with the win.

“The fourth quarter was a slug match and you could see the intent and focus increase in our guys as the time ticked away,” Miller said. “We were down 10 several different times in the second half. We executed down the stretch and made free throws to put it away.”

The Golden Eagles got 12 points from Irvin Stewart in the first quarter to take a 19-15 lead. Nixyaawii stretched its lead to 33-28 at the half as Jeffrey Van Pelt scored five of his 14 points in the second quarter.

Dawson Miller scored seven points in the third quarter for the Bobcats, who went in an 18-15 run to pull within 48-46.

“Union is a really great team and they have a heck of a coach in Odin,” Noisey said. “He had them prepared.”

Fratzke finished with a game-high 30 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Jace McCraw had 15 points and four rebounds, Miller had nine points, 14 rebounds and three steals, and Joey McCraw had nine points and four rebounds.

“I’m incredibly proud of our boys and their accomplishments,” Miller said. “They are a team-first group that feels like family.”

Stewart led the Golden Eagles with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Kash Bronson added 16 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Van Pelt 14 points and three rebounds.

Pilot Rock pulls away in the second half to beat Pine Eagle

PILOT ROCK 72, PINE EAGLE 53 — Sun Schimmel had 26 points, including seven 3-pointers, as the Rockets beat the Spartans in the third-place game at the Old Oregon League district tournament at Baker High School.

The No. 10 Rockets (22-5) now await the 1A state pairings. Pine Eagle (11-16), at No. 37, is on the bubble pending the outcome of games throughout the state.

Tate Thacker kept the Rockets in the game early on, scoring seven points in the first quarter as the teams were tied 12-12.

Tucker Holton helped Pilot Rock to a 29-25 lead at the half with seven points in the second quarter.

The Rockets launched their game to the next level in the third as Schimmel poured in 17 points in the third quarter to give his team a 54-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Pilot Rock outscored Pine Eagle 18-14 in the fourth to secure the win.

Thacker added 19 points for the Rockets, while Holton had 11 and Carter VanHouten seven.

Jason Ludin led the Spartans with 17 points, with Tevya Taylor adding 15.