Despite losing three of its last four games, the Phoenix boys' basketball team is still in the thick of the Skyline Conference race.

The Pirates are 4-3 in Skyline play and 11-9 overall as they prepare to visit Mazama on Tuesday and Klamath Union on Friday night. PHS is one game behind co-leaders Henley and KU and tied with Hidden Valley.

Phoenix is ranked 18th in the 4A classification and on track to earn a spot in the play-in round later this month.

After a 3-0 start in conference play, the Pirates have struggled to generate offense of late, including a 50-39 home loss to Henley last Friday. Phoenix trailed 21-13 at halftime after being outscored 10-2 in the second quarter. Ethan Hutsell finished with 10 points, Ty Clayton eight and Braeden Watts seven for PHS.

Friday's loss came three days after the Pirates edged visiting North Valley 45-42. Neco Ortega's three-point basket in the game's closing seconds broke a 42-42 tie. Ortega finished with a team-high 14 points in the team's second win of the season over the Knights. 

Phoenix dropped a 60-53 decision at North Valley on February 7. Leading by one point after three quarters, the Pirates were outscored 23-15 in the game's final eight minutes. Ortega scored 17 points and Watts 13 for the Pirates.