By Mike Warner
For The New Era
Lebanon’s boys and girls ended their 2025-26 basketball campaigns in the first round of the 5A DIvision state playoffs last weekend, the girls falling to No. 7 Wilsonville and the boys to No. 1-ranked Crook County.
Crook County 73, Lebanon 55
The Warriors, who ended their Mid-Willamette Conference season as the No. 5 team, faced the top-ranked Cowboys in Prineville, and found their hosts were as good as advertised.
Crook County came into the Friday, March 6, game with a 24-1 record and a roster that sports 6-10 Bryce Lowenbach and 6-9 Ryan Quinn, both senior forwards, complemented by the rest of their team who matched up pretty well with Lebanon, size-wise.
The Warriors battled as best they could. but the Cowboys were able to establish their control of the game early on and held an eight-point lead at the quarter. That lead expanded to 18 at the half. The second half was much the same, as the Cowboys cruised to the 73-55 final score.
The Warriors shot very well from the field at 47.5% (19-40) and from three 33.3% (8-24). Free throw shooting was not as strong as it has been in the past at 56.5% (9-16). However, Lebanon did record 11 assists on nineteen baskets.
Four Warriors contributed, stats-wise, to the team effort. Gunner Miller scored 15 points and recorded two rebounds, two steals and three assists in his final game. Other seniors were Ryan Robinson, who scored 12 points, had four boards and three assists, and Logan Large, who scored 11 points finished with three rebounds, a steal and four assists. A bright spot for the future was sophomore Finn VandenBos, who scored 15 points and contributed three rebounds.
Lebanon finished 14-11 overall, 11-7 in the MWC.
Wilsonville 69, Lebanon 46
The Lebanon girls traveled north on Saturday, March 7, to meet the seventh-ranked Wildcats, who proved to be a quality foe.
Wilsonville took control of the game from the start, pushing the pace and forcing 27 Lebanon turnovers.
The Wildcats defense also affected the Warriors’ shooting. Lebanon was held to 29.0% (16-55) from the field, including only 12% (3-25) from the three. The Warriors shot 91.6% (11-12) from the free throw line but that wasn’t enough.
Wilsonville progressively built its lead – 24-11 at the end of the first quarter, 43-22 at the half and 61-33 at the end of the third quarter.
Three Warriors scored in double figures, including senior Peyton Vorderstrasse, who scored 15 points and collected 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Junior Piper Sewell scored 10 points and recorded three rebounds, while Hazel Pepperling, also a junior, recorded another double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. It was the final high school game for seniors Ruby VandenBos and Jayden Hare.
Lebanon finished the season with a 16-10 overall record, 10-6 and fourth in the MWC.