House members pose for a photo after the first round of games. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Oregon lawmakers left their partisanship on the bench Wednesday night, as representatives and senators laced up their old sneakers and threw on pinnies for a friendly basketball game and the chance at bragging rights for the next two years.
Each chamber produced two teams that battled it out, setting the state for a championship showdown between the best House and Senate team in the tournament-style event. The top House team won 50-44 in the final game.
Senators Shemia Fagan, Dallas Heard and Jeff Golden suited up for teams that were largely filled by younger staffers and lobbyists. On the House side, representatives Teresa Alonso Leon, Daniel Bonham, Diego Hernandez, David Brock Smith, Barbara Smith Warner Kim Wallen, Jack Zika and Speaker Tina Kotek took to the court.
Treasurer Tobias Read and his Chief of Staff Dmitri Palmateer also participated. They were among the most gifted players, and went at each other in the championship game which at times got physical. Read, the much taller of the two, at one point tossed his advisor to the ground.
Onlookers included Gov. Kate Brown, senators James Manning and Floyd Prozanski and representatives Julie Fahey, Cheri Helt, Ron Noble and Tawna Sanchez.
Rep. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, was a volume shooter, however his team was knocked off in the first game. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Treasurer Tobias Read came armed with a mouthguard, which was proved smart as he often crashed through the paint like a wrecking ball. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, came decked out, headband and all. Rumor has it she ditched a pair of stylish goggles right before tipoff. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
The game also included younger folks working in the Capitol, which helped push the pace a bit. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
In addition to his shooting, Rep. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, also showed his ability to play illegal defense. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Sometimes, the play was a bit disorganized… (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, gives some inspiring words during a break. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Dmitri Palmateer, Treasurer Tobias Read’s chief of staff, proved one of the more skilled, and competitive, players. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Gov. Kate Brown came out to watch. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Rep. Barbara Smith Warner, D-Portland, inbounds the ball. What she lacked in height she made up for in heart. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
House members strategize, or taunt, during a break in play. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Lobbyist Shaun Jillions played master of ceremonies, auctioning off a basketball signed by the Portland Trail Blazers during the break. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Representatives Julie Fahey, D-Eugene; Jack Zika, R-Redmond and Ron Noble, R-McMinnville used emoji scorecards to judge from the sidelines. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Treasurer Tobias Read puts up a floater over Sen. Dallas Heard, R-Roseburg. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter)
Reporter Aubrey Wieber: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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