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Thanks, Eastern Oregon. Sometimes I can be a bit of a sentimentalist, which means I’m terrible at saying goodbyes. If you haven’t guessed from that statement, this is my final piece of writing for the East Oregonian. If you don’t count those brief baseball write-ups on Page 2B — busy to the end I guess). I’m leaving the newspaper today, one and a half years plus a day after my first assignment, heading to another gig in Missoula, Mont. So, effectively, if you’re reading this then I am already gone.

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Tigers can't climb out of self-dug hole at BMC districts. PENDLETON — After trailing by more than 15 points while sleepwalking through the first half, the Stanfield Tigers found themselves with the ball and down by just one with 30 seconds to play against Grant Union. With the Blue Mountain Conference’s No. 3 spot for the boys’ state basketball tournament on the line, the Tigers all of a sudden controlled the outcome. On the Pros’ next possession, a quick foul sent shooter Kody Nelson to the free t...

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Bucks finally break through against Bulldogs. Joel Boozer and Alex Ortiz go for a rebound. (Photo/EJ Harris). PENDLETON — The games of the Umatilla County rivalry series between Hermiston and Pendleton have featured some of the tightest contests of either teams’ schedules, games so close a single possession could have warped the outcome. On Friday, the Bucks finally got one to swing their way. For Pendleton, Friday’s rivalry clash was a must-win. But the Bucks’ chances took a major hit in the first...

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Bulldogs burrow in for win. Jansen Edmiston guards a shot by Darian Lindsey. (Photo/EJ Harris). PENDLETON — After blowing up the Bucks by nearly 40 points in their game in Hermiston 10 days ago, the middle match in a set of three this season, the Bulldogs knew better than to expect a similar showing. On Friday in Pendleton. But a 21-10 hole half way through the second quarter? Even that was a little surprising. That only helped Pendleton (10-13, 4-5 CRC) concoct its early success. Ldquo;Too many, too man...

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Sarman lifts Bobcats past Mustangs at BMC districts. PENDLETON — Trailing by eight points at halftime, the Heppner Mustangs had a two-step plan to overcome Union on Saturday at the Blue Mountain Conference District Tournament: cut the lead in half by the end of the third, push for the finish line in the fourth. Heppner (18-6) will be No. 4 out of the league. Ldquo;We were going to force her to shoot the ball from outside,” Wilson said. But after Sarman sunk a 3-pointer in the first quarter, Hep...Sarman ...

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Timberwolves fall one game short. BMCC'S Darius Butler loses the ball to a steal.(Photo/EJ Hariis). PENDLETON — As the old adage says, you can’t win games in the first half. But as the Blue Mountain Community College men proved Wednesday night, you sure can lose them there. Knights fend off Rockets for BMC championship. PENDLETON — The Irrigon Knights can finally call themselves champions. Not of the state, though — that battle resumes next week. Irrigon won its first district championship in any sport.

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http://ajmazzo.weebly.com/home/archives/03-2013

The life and times of a community college recruiter. PENDLETON — Kim Pickett had never seen a horse before, much less climbed into the saddle. But here she was, sitting atop the big brown animal as it ambled down a rural road. Because she’d never ridden a horse, she hadn’t known what to wear. In hindsight, though, sweatpants and flip flops probably weren’t the correct attire for equestrianism. My name is AJ Mazzolini. Former sports reporter at the East Oregonian. Blue Mountain C C. Seattle Times, Mariners.

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Rockets race around Tigers for BMC win. STANFIELD — Speed kills — or so say public service announcements championing safe driving or warning of the dangers of drugs. But for the Pilot Rock boys’ basketball team, speed creates. The Rockets caught Stanfield napping far too many times in Tuesday’s Blue Mountain Conference game, exploiting moments of weakness to craft a 17-1 run that helped them race to a 68-52 victory. Bucks' Collins named top swim coach in northwest. Pendleton swim coach Donna Collins.

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Small lineups big opportunity at lower classes. Despite varsity wrestling rosters on the south side of a dozen athletes, Eastern Oregon’s Riverside and Heppner could be well represented at the state wrestling championships in Portland next week. All that stands in the way first are the regional rounds. Knights are kings of BMC, hope to finish what they started. Francisco Nunez shoots the ball. (Photo/EJ Harris). It’s Irrigon Knights’ world. Everyone else is just living in it. The Bowermans led Condon/Whe...