The West Salem Titans dominated the 2023 Central Valley Conference basketball season. And justifiably, the two (girls, boys) squads reaped the rewards with the bulk of the post-season honors.
On the girls’ side, West Salem’s Lizzy Bennett and Mady Diaz were named as co-players of the year after leading a Titans offense that averaged 57 points a ball game and completed an unbeaten CVC season.
CVC Defensive players of the year were senior Brookelynn Jackson of McNary and freshman Carly Skogstad of Sprague. Both distinguished themselves with quick hands and fast feet.
On the All-CVC first team, West had three players: Bennett, Diaz, and freshman post Emma Zuniga. They were joined by Skogstad, McNary juniors Ava Rubio and Avery Buss, and senior Maggie Lapray of South Salem.
Co-coaches of the year were West Salem head coach Katie Singleton and South Salem’s Adrian Lewis.
For the boys, West Salem junior Jackson Leach shared Player of the Year honors with Sprague senior Liam Spencer. Leach was the point guard and top scorer for the Titan’s potent offense, while Spencer led the Olympians in scoring—setting a school record with eight three-pointers in one game
Defensive player of the year was McNary senior and elusive point guard Jando Gonzalez who played with reckless abandon at both ends of the floor.
Coach of the Year honors were given to West Salem’s Travis Myers, whose team finished the regular conference season with a record of 11-1.
West Salem had three players on the first team all-conference squad, with Leach being joined by Titan senior wings Tommy Slack and Jimmy Lathen. McNary had two first teamers in Gonzalez and high-scoring Brody Roth. Spencer also made the first team, along with athletic South Salem junior Eli Gabriel.
The 6A state basketball playoffs begin this week. For the girls, West Salem has the lone home contest, hosting Tigard at 7:00 pm. McNary plays, starting at 6:30 pm at Oregon City, while South Salem travels to Barlow of Gresham for another 6:30 pm contest.
The boys post season begins Wednesday. West Salem is at home against Oregon City in a 7:00 pm game. McNary will play at Clackamas in another 7:00 pm contest, while Sprague hits the road to meet Gresham, also at 7:00 pm.
Game photos courtesy of Laura Ellison/LE Images
See the complete All-Conference teams below.