Salem-Keizer Basketball begins regular season play soon
A preview of the local boys teams prior to opening January league contests
Basketball squads across Oregon have been heavily involved in preseason games since early December, but beginning in January, the competition takes a step up with the start of regular season contests. Here is a sneak peek of each team.
A small warning—preparing these previews is like trying to hit a moving target. Looking at teams too early provides a very incomplete picture as the individuals strive to work together as a unit. Most squads currently have 10-12 games under their belts, and starting lineups are rounding into shape. But injuries and other variables can change the picture dramatically.
Here is a rough examination Central Valley Conference boys basketball for 2022-23.
MCNARY BOYS
Last Season: 10-14 (5-9 in Mtn Valley Conference)
Coach: Ryan Kirch
Celtics Coach Ryan Kirch is a very well-prepared coach—and tends to get a lot out of his teams, regardless of talent level. This year, after several seasons with only one or two major contributors, the Celtics have a fairly deep team.
“We have some experience coming back from last year,” says Kirch—referring to four-year player Jando Gonzalez at point guard, and Jabol Balos and Brody Roth on the wings. Roth led McNary in scoring last season, scoring about 12 points per contest. During the current preseason, Roth’s average stands at 15.5 ppg.
The big addition to the McNary starting five is sophomore guard Steven Adams, who lit up the JV opposition last year as a freshman. He is averaging just over 14.5 points per contest thus far for the Celtics.
“He is very difficult to guard,” says Kirch matter-of-factly about Adams.
Despite the obvious weapons, Kirch is realistic about McNary’s weaknesses.
“We will be quick,” says Kirch, “but limited by our height.”
“Rebounding on the defensive end will be critical for us.”
“My hope is we will develop some depth as we move through the season.”
The preseason has been a positive one for McNary. The team finished with an impressive 8-3 record, with wins over McMinnville and Roseburg among others.
The Celtics open CVC play on Thursday, January fifth, at Sprague.
NORTH SALEM BOYS
Last Season: 8-16 (6-10 in Mid Wilamette Conference-5A)
Coach: Bryan Huber
First year North Salem coach Bryan Huber has served as an assistant in the Salem-Keizer District since 2012—most recently as the head JV/Frosh coach at McKay. Huber played his high school ball at West Salem High School for coaches Larry Gahr and Scott Cross-so he has had some of the best basketball teaching available locally.
Huber inherits a Viking team that finished 8-16 at the 5A level last year, and has a blend of youth and experience.
Sophomore Maverick Huynh and senior Dominic Hughes are the top scorers for North, but Huber hopes to see some less experienced team members step up as the season progresses.
Those additional North names include players like senior guard Gio Ramirez, and junior post Shane Ryder. Size-wise, the Vikings have nobody over 6-2, so rebounding will be an issue.
The preseason schedule included a blend of opponents that ranged from 6A teams, to some 5A and 4A squads. It is all by design for the young North team.
“Our preseason was set up for us to see some success,” admits Huber, “which is a positive rolling into league.”
And success the Viks did have, finishing 7-4—with wins over 6A Newberg and Aloha, and experience against a long list of other teams, including 4A teams Sweet Home and Baker.
After one more non-league road game, North Salem begins its Central Valley Conference season on Thursday, January fifth, against the experienced West Salem Titans.
SOUTH SALEM BOYS
Last Season: 6-18 (2-12 in Mtn Valley Conference)
Coach: Travis Brown
South Salem basketball coach Travis Brown is still looking for the magic formula to get his young Saxon squad on the winning path in 2022-23.
Coach Brown returns a team that has the most playing minutes of any of the CVC teams for this season, but is also the least experienced. Getting consistency for an entire game is his ultimate goal.
“We have been putting together two or three quarters, but not a full game,” Brown admits.
“Practices have been more intense than our games—we just haven’t been moving.”
To date, South is just 3-7 on the year, but their games have included top ranked West Linn, traditional power Sherwood, and 5A Churchill of Eugene.
Back for South Salem are a trio of solid players. Junior Guard Greg Comer has solid long-range shooting skills, and was second team all-conference a year ago. Honorable mention wing Eli Gabriel is also a good outside shooter, but is most effective when he attacks the rim.
Rylan Davidson brings some rebounding prowess to the Saxon front line. The 6-3 senior is a soccer goal keeper, and has great body control to not only hit the boards, but also hit deep shots from the corner.
New to the varsity team is 6-4 junior Eli Johnson, whose father Dave was once the South Salem athletic director and also appeared in the 1992 Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the decathlon. The athletic Johnson also fits in well with the Saxon offensive scheme—and is willing to bring the ball up the floor as part of the high-octane system.
Six-foot senior Charlie Rapp will also play extensive minutes, returning as a three-year South starter. He can jump shoot and drive to the bucket in the flow of the Saxon offense.
Coach Brown says the team needs to find their inside game in order to improve their basketball fortunes.
“We just can’t stop going to the rim and become jump shooters.”
South Salem has the first bye in the five team round robin league schedule. Their first conference game is slated for Monday, January ninth, at home versus West Salem.
SPRAGUE BOYS
Last Season: 16-10 (10-4 in Mtn Valley Conference)
Coach: Jordan Graneto
The basketball preseason has been an up-and-down affair for the Sprague Olympians boys basketball team. Just about what was expected by Olys coach Jordan Graneto.
“I think we will take some lumps early in the season,” Graneto predicted back in November.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to be competitive come league play.”
And while a 5-6 record doesn’t have any of Oregon’s top basketball teams shaking in their boots, there has been some growth in Sprague’s squad as a unit.
Only senior guard Matthew Weiner (pronounced Wine-ur) returned with any significant playing time from last year’s 16-10 playoff squad. He is presently scoring about six points per game.
Several players from last year’s very successful JV and frosh squads have moved up, and have been making adjustments to the faster paced and more physical varsity game.
Those who are already contributing include senior guard Liam Spencer—who is currently averaging 16 points per contest for the Olympians. He also was named to the Capital City Classic all-tournament team.
Jarod Stanley (7 points per game) and Grayson Long (7 points per game) have also blended in well to the Olympians offensive scheme.
Coach Graneto’s expectations in conference play are pretty straight forward.
“I think West (Salem) is the most talented team in the league, and I do not think it is close,” he says with no hesitation.
“I think we will battle (the rest of us) for the second and third playoff spots.”
Sprague begins Central Valley Conference play at home against McNary on Thursday, January fifth.
WEST SALEM BOYS
Last Season: 18-7 (9-5 in Mtn Valley Conference)
Coach: Travis Myers
The opposing coaches in the Central Valley Conference are all in agreement: the West Salem Titans under the guidance of Travis Myers are the team to beat in league play this season.
But you wouldn’t know it checking out the preseason record for West. The Titans sport an anemic record of 5 wins and 6 losses as the non-league schedule winds down.
Coach Myers isn’t one to make excuses, but his team has been far from full strength.
“(6-7 starting post) Trenton Ferguson hasn’t played or practiced. (Sophomore guard) Kaden Martirano has been out of town. (Junior forward) Phil Goodrich has been sick.”
Mix that report with nagging injuries for a few other players, and the Titans have been playing short-handed for weeks.
The West preseason schedule was also packed with some high caliber opponents. Oregon’s top ranked 6A team in West Linn. Out of state powers St. John Bosco and Modesto Christian—both from California. 5A stalwart Wilsonville.
The Titans did win a few of those games in the Capital City Classic at Willamette University, and lost in the third place tournament game. West Linn brought home the title. West Salem also landed a pair of players—point guard Jackson Leach, and wing Jimmy Lathen—on the all-tournament teams.
Coach Myers analysis boils down to his team “getting over the hump” late in games.
“We should be shooting at a higher percentage, but just seem to be a tad off right now.”
It does appear that the team has finally hit its stride. In their most recent tournament in Medford, the Titans won three in a row, defeating North Eugene, North Medford (in OT), and South Medford—while taking home the Abby’s Pizza Tournament crown. Jackson Leach was named the tournament MVP. Leach leads the Titan scorers at 13 points per game, but he is getting plenty of help. Smooth outside shooting wing Connor Oertel is averaging 12.7 ppg, followed by Jimmy Lathen (11.6) and Tommy Slack (9.1).
The one large question mark continues to be Ferguson—who remains sidelined, with no word yet on when he might be available.
North Salem gets first shot at West in Central Valley Conference play. The Vikings travel to West on Thursday, January fifth, for their league opener.
ELSEWHERE….
MCKAY BOYS
Last Season: 0-24 (0-14 in Mtn Valley Conference)
Coach: Kyle Oglesby
While the rest of Salem-Keizer Schools will be pounding on each other in league play, the 5A McKay Royal Scots, under the direction of coach Kyle Oglesby. are playing against some of the best teams at their level in the Mid Willamette Conference. The Scots lone league game on December 13th was a 50-40 loss at Corvallis.
McKay’s two wins to date came against teams in the Hillsboro area—with victories over Glencoe (56-42 on Dec. 3) and Hillsboro (53-50 on Dec. 27). Their overall record to date: 2-5.
Coach Kyle Oglesby has been working to find offense and rebounding from a squad that has nobody taller than 6-3 senior post Daniel Briones.
Even if the season ended right now, the Scots are already ahead of last year, when they failed to win a single game. With athletes like Kyrin Fuimaono, and Kevin Munguia—McKay has a chance to greatly improve their fortunes this season.
McKay resumes conference play on January 2nd at home versus Crescent Valley.