In Monday's non-league challenge, the host Heppner Mustangs basketball team scored a close 35-30 win over the Dufur Rangers.

The Mustangs (7-5) will now prepare for their challenge against Riverside (Boardman, OR). The Pirates come into the non-league challenge with a 8-3 record. In their last challenge, Riverside edged Rainier (Rainier, OR), 70-29, in a non-league challenge.

In their next game, the Rangers encounter the South Wasco County Redsides (Maupin, OR) in a 1A Big Sky challenge, on Friday, January 3. Dufur will attempt to improve on its 4-3 season record. The Redsides come into the challenge with a 7-2 record after their 79-43 non-league win over Dayville/Monument (Dayville, OR).