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Prior to the start of the Central Valley Conference boys basketball season, the coaches all agreed on one thing: it was going to be an unpredictable year. On that note they were right on the money. As for their own prognostications, the coaches didn’t fare so well. West Salem and Redmond were picked to be at the top of the CVC standings. West Salem grabbed the number three seed with a win over South Salem in the league finale’, while Redmond missed the playoffs all together. Sprague—which didn’t get back two key senior players this year, only won their last two games of the year rather than vying for a playoff spot. McKay, which was expected to finish in the cellar, was undefeated at the halfway point before finishing second. McNary— projected to contend for one of the last two playoff spots, won it all with just two league defeats. The exciting conference contests that marked the start of the season continued with few exceptions right up to the end. Even McNary had to battle 1-11 North Salem into the final minutes of their last game before clinching the win and the conference crown. The young CVC playoff teams seem destined for a quick exit based upon polls and performances against ranked teams in non-league matchups. But win or lose this year, the competitive nature of this conference season has prepared the underclassmen for the next level of success in 2009. All-League Honors
I see Bowman's point, but I have to agree with Gahr. Xavier was hands down the toughest player to defend all year. He also became a more complete player in his senior season, handing out numerous assists, and playing in your face defense for the Saxons. It is hard to think of anyone else who should be seriously considered.
Personal Note
Mark Gilman can be contacted at mark@fullaccesssports.com
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My broadcast partner, former McNary and West Salem coach Larry Gahr, says that South Salem’s Xavier Cannefax should be the CVC Player of the Year. Never mind that the Saxons backed their way into the fourth and final playoff spot. South coach Eric Bowman said earlier in the year that he was doubtful Cannefax would land the honor if his team didn’t finish at least third.
The coach of the year honors will be a stickier issue. Do you go with Jim Litchfield—who led McNary to the conference crown? Or does the nod go to Jack Martino, who overhauled the entire offense at McKay to fit his small-sized personnel and surprised everyone by securing a playoff slot. One McNary fan told me Martino deserves the award, saying “What he has done with this year’s McKay team is phenomenal.”
This has little to do with the Central Valley Conference. I have been fortunate enough to land the job of radio play-by-play announcer for the minor league Salem-Keizer Volcanoes baseball team. It means 76 games in 79 summer days, but I am extremely excited about the opportunity. Plus, I get to work with some great folks like Crater (left). For the record, I still plan to continue my work on local high school sports. The way I get the work done will be altered a little, but there should be little noticeable change in the actual product.