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When I sent out surveys to Central Valley Conference boys basketball coaches about where teams would finish this season, most chose West Salem and Redmond to reach the top of the standings. They also agreed almost unanimously that the league champion would not escape without a loss, and that the CVC might prove to be one of the most balanced leagues in Oregon. They are looking like geniuses. West and Redmond are lingering near the bottom of the standings to start the conference season, while McKay-a squad even their own coach didn’t expect to fare too well after the loss of five seniors—is on top. Welcome to the 2008 CVC season. As a broadcaster, I have to say this is one of the most entertaining years for boys hoops in quite sometime. It is the year that fans need to pack the gyms because they will be in for quite a few nail-biting contests. Consider so far: South Salem beat Sprague by one in the league opener at Sprague; McKay had to hold off a normally struggling North Salem squad to win by six; West Salem was down by a bucket to host Redmond with seven seconds left before falling by six points; West Salem nipped Sprague by a field goal; McKay topped Redmond by a point in overtime. Whew—and that is just through four conference games so far. Stay tuned. CVC basketball Odds and Ends Schedule makers for the 2008 season probably haven’t made many friends among the coaches, especially at South Salem and Sprague South’s first half of the 12 game season features five games on the road. Coach Eric Bowman has taken it all in stride, referring to his squad as “road warriors.” One might suspect Bowman would be a little less philosophical had the Saxons not started 3-1. Sprague fared a little better, with four of their first six CVC contests as the visitors. The youthful Olympians are 0 and 3, but lost two of those contests by a total of three points. North Salem has been the low-team on the totem poll for most seasons since advancing to the 1999 State Championship game. This year, the Viks lost their first two games, but they can not be considered a door mat this season. Coach Ko Knurowski’s squad fell to undefeated McKay by 6, and by the same margin to South Salem. Viking standouts Scott Starkey (28 points) and Tony Gurrero (27) had career games in the losses. West Salem’s key to success or lack thereof this year may lie at the foul line. So far this year, the Titans have struggled mightily from the charity stripe. In two games against McKay and Sprague, West missed a combined 42 free throws. Did Shaquille O’Neal pay the team a visit? How will the CVC fare come playoff time? It is certainly too early to write the conference off, but in non-league games played to date, the teams are a combined 36-41. And with the league matched up with the powerful Three Rivers League for remaining non-league slots, it could be worse. Still, with the eclectic list of opponents each team has faced, the records could mean little or nothing. Games to watch in coming weeks include: Jan 25- McKay at Sprague. Careful not to get whiplash watching these two teams run the floor at break-neck speed Jan. 29-West Salem at McNary. McNary has owned CVC opponents thus far on its home floor, but the Titans are starting to come around after extending struggles due to a long and successful football season. Feb. 1-South Salem at West Salem. With West families having South Salem ties in the years prior to the founding of their school, the games always have an extra measure of intensity. Feb. 5-Sprague at South Salem. The Olympians hope to avenge the one point loss to the Saxons at home back on Jan. 8. A final note-girls basketball I will admit that CVC girls hoops need more converage than they are getting this season. It is still my hope and wish that the athletic directors will shift one girls game to an off night from the boys in coming years so yours truly can get out to a contest. For the record, McKay, McNary and West Salem are all tied atop the girls standings at 3-1, with Sprague right behind at 2-2. McKay’s Anna Marchbanks continues to torch opponents to the tune of nearly 21 points per game. At McNary, Megan Hingston is leading a balanced Celtic attack that continues to improve. Watch out for them next season. At West, the transfer of sophomore sensation Janelle Weiss left the team scrambling to find a ball handler early. Coach Jason Unruh has shuffled personnel quite effectively, and Kira Lyon has emerged as the team’s leading scorer. At Sprague, the Lady Olys are riding the shooting prowess of Ashley Roos, Kylie Kuhns, and Katie Bock. Hope to see you courtside... it is worth the price of admission.
Mark Gilman can be contacted at mark@fullaccesssports.com
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