West Valley League, Tri-River Conference playoffs this week

For a number of the area's best high school programs, the hardest part of the season begins this week. 

League playoffs for the Class 3A West Valley League and the Class 2A Tri-River Conference are scheduled throughout this week, culminating in league championship games this Saturday. The News-Register will update the playoff schedule for both leagues as game times and locations are set. 

Thursday, Feb. 19

The Amity boys, Willamina girls and  Perrydale girls play league opponents with the goal of extending their seasons.

The Warriors host Taft at 7 p.m. in the boys' Class 3A West Valley League playoffs. On the girls side, Willamina hosts Westside Christian at 5 p.m. In Class 2A Tri-River Conference action, the Pirates host East Linn Christian at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21

 In the Class 2A Tri-River Conference, the winner Kennedy-Regis advances to play first-place Western Mennonite in the conference championship game Saturday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. at Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis. The loser plays the winner of Perrydale-East Linn Christian for the conference’s third seed into the OSAA Class 2A tournament bracket Saturday at Noon at CVHS.

 For the boys, Western Mennonite’s defeat of Kennedy on Wednesday secured their place in the conference title game; they’ll play Regis for the championship and the TRC’s top seed into the OSAA bracket Saturday at Crescent Valley. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Kennedy will play Central Linn at 1:45 p.m. at CVHS for third place in the TRC after the Cobras eliminated Perrydale on Wednesday.

 In the Class 3A West Valley league, the Willamina girls host Westside Christian tonight at 7 p.m. in the second round of the WVL playoffs. The winner advances to face Santiam Christian for third place and a state tournament berth Saturday at the Panther Pit at Central High School in Independence. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dayton and Amity, who finished the regular season tied for first place, will play at the Panther Pit at 5 p.m. Saturday, with the winner taking the league championship and it’s top seed into the state tournament.

On the boys side, the Amity Warriors hosted Taft in the second round of the WVL playoffs on Thursday were unavailable as of press time. The winner will play Santiam Christian for third place in the conference and a tournament berth on Saturday at Central High at Noon. After defeating Santiam Christian on Tuesday, Horizon Christian will play undefeated Dayton for the top seed from the WVL in a 7 p.m. game at the Panther Pit on Saturday.