Sports commentary by Wayne Lee – Sports Editor
The OSAA has realigned the sports leagues for the next four years, and Eagle Point has every reason to be unhappy. For whatever reason yet to be explained, they have created a “hybrid league” that combines 6A and 5A schools together.
Once school starts in the fall, Ashland, Crater and Eagle Point will compete with 6A schools that include Grants Pass, Roseburg, and both North and South Medford. The rest of the Midwestern League moves Churchill, Willamette, Thurston, Springfield, and North Eugene into a league that includes 6A schools Sheldon and South Eugene.
The result is a league that forces Ashland, Crater and Eagle Point to compete against four other 6A schools. The only concession is that whichever of the three 5A schools has the best record after the season is done is guaranteed a playoff spot in the postseason.
Unfortunately, they decided to implement the change to baseball when it came time to name all state players. Of course, the 6A players took the vast majority of awards while the 5A players were left in the dust. Due to that permanent change, Eagle Point was left on its own to deal with this mess for the next four years.
So, they honored their own. Sean McFall was named the season MVP. Mason DeVry received the Triple Threat Award, and Carson Robinson was honored as the Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Softball, on the other hand, remains unchanged until fall. Kady Ledbetter was first team all-state at first base. Riley Jacoby was a third team outfielder, and Bryee Leonardo was a third team pitcher while Mady Dean was an honorable mention as an infielder.
