For Red Devils, dream of state may finally be fulfilled.

Byline: CHRIS HANSEN The Register-Guard

LOWELL - The Class 2A state girls basketball tournament has always been farther from Lowell than the half-day's drive it takes to get to Pendleton, where it's conducted every season.

Playing for a state championship has never been more than an exciting notion for the Red Devils, or a motivational tool used to boost team morale, because they have never even been to the tournament.

They've been close, losing in the championship game of the qualifying tournament twice in the past five seasons, but that's where the dream has always died.

Until now. This season could finally be different for Lowell.

Undefeated in the Trico League at 9-0 and 15-1 overall, the No. 6 Red Devils broke into the Class 2A rankings for the first time ever two weeks ago at No. 10 before moving up.

With seven games left in the regular season, Lowell is primed to capture its first league championship and automatically qualify for the state tournament.

"It's really hard not to look ahead because we want to go to state so bad," said senior Meghan Townsend, a four-year starting post player and second-team all-league selection in 2002. "But we know in the back of our mind that anything can happen."

Just as it did last season, when Lowell finished second to Harrisburg in the regular-season standings, but lost to Crow at home by three points in the championship game of the Trico League playoffs.

"We were so bummed after that game," sophomore guard Jaime Jones said. "We don't like to talk about that game very much. Things are different this year, the girls just want it more."

The change in attitude can be seen in the results. The Red Devils have rarely been contested in their 16 games, averaging 57 points and allowing just 37. Townsend was the team's leading scorer at 11 points per game before freshman guard Kristina Neet sank 14 three-pointers and scored 52 points in Lowell's last two games to raise her average to 12.8.

The team's only loss came by six points to North Marion, the fourth-ranked Class 3A team in the state.

"I knew we'd be pretty competitive because of the type of year we had last year and all the kids we had coming back," said fifth-year head coach Doug Price, who lost only one senior. "The first week of practice they were just getting after it and picking up on things right away. They looked good."

Since then, people started to take notice and the stands have slowly begun to fill for home games. Even the media have turned an eye towards the Red Devils.

"Yeah, getting press is a little different for us," Jones said. "We're not used to it at all. It's definitely been fun."

"We talked about it being a special year and these are the things that come along with it," Price said. "We're not used to having cameramen, photographers and reporters out here, but we're happy to represent the school."

Townsend and Jones are both starters for the Red Devils, along with juniors Jeni Webb and Kaylee Jenness, and senior Stephanie Jones, the older sister of Jaime. Lowell's depth off the bench includes Neet, seniors Breann Carter and Amanda Cone, junior Monica Watkins, sophomore Lindsey Maher and freshman Jessica Comstock.

There are a handful of teams in the league still willing and able to knock the Red Devils from their perch, most notably, Central Linn.

The Cobras are 11-3 overall and 8-1 in league, with that one loss coming on the road against Lowell. The two teams will meet again in Halsey on Feb. 11.

"They are an outstanding team," said Josh Grotting, who is in his second season as head coach at Central Linn. "I don't see them losing if they play to their ability every night."

The Cobras could give the Red Devils a run for their money, however. Senior guard Kendall Dionne averages 20.6 points a game and Central Linn already has swept the season series with Harrisburg (8-8, 5-4), which is tied with Oakridge (11-6, 5-4) for third place in the league.

"And we've only had everyone healthy and available for just one game this season," Grotting said.

That's a hard-luck story that won't be met with much sympathy down in Lowell.

"We only had one senior last year, and the year before we had a lot of injuries," Price said. "This year, we've been fortunate."

Will that luck continue?

"Last year we were so close, and that is what's driving us through this year," Townsend said. "We really want that league championship and we really want to make it to state."

The Red Devils have never been any closer.

CAPTION(S):

CHRIS PIETSCH / The Register-Guard Lowell's Jeni Webb (left to right), Jaime Jones and Stephanie Jones bring the ball down the court during a recent practice.