Ken Roberts
Sports Writer
Last year was an anomaly for the boys. They finished 2-8 in district and 6-16 for the season.
This summer they spent time erasing that memory by going 26-5.
“Three weeks into the summer league, the monkey of last season lifted off their back,” stated coach Mark Risen. “I was really happy to see that confidence come back.”
So they start the season fresh, much older and more experienced than last year. They will return to the more disciplined, conservative style of play for which the Husky program is known and they will do it with six seniors.
“All the other district teams got younger and we got older,” said Risen. Sweet Home had to deal with that disadvantage last year when the other teams were senior laden. The Huskies only lost one senior, Brian Seward. “It’s the same kids, just a year older and stronger.”
Much of the Huskies success will go through Anthony Mink, third team all league as a sophomore and second team last year, or Tim Matuszak, also second team and the highest vote-getting junior in the league. What the Huskies lack in height, they make up for in speed and athleticism. They still have untested players at the varsity level, but there is significant depth.
So much so that Risen says the JV team will be loaded. That provides competitive practices with a fight to prove who is ready for playing time.
Risen has always held out the expectation of a conference championship for Sweet Home, and projects 15 to 20 wins out the team. He expects the greatest challenge to come from Stayton. Then he places Cascade and Molalla slightly above Sisters and North Marion.
“On talent alone, we’re going to be in the hunt,” stated Risen.
Much depends on them staying healthy and having some of the younger players develop early in the season. Given that, the Huskies’ success will be determined by how well the team plays within the system.
“If they stay in the system and let the system work for them, we’ll be hard to beat,” said Risen.
But he saw a glimmer of things to come in the players’ eyes this summer.
“They knew they had begun expecting to win again,” said Risen. “This summer washed away a great deal of the frustration of last season for the kids.”
Posts
The Huskies do not have the natural post player, but Risen thinks senior Tyler Emmert, who averaged double figures in both scoring and rebounding this summer, and junior Matt Morneault provide the athletic ability and intelligence to more than make up the difference. Seth Graves, perhaps the best defender of the group, provides intensity and is developing a stronger finish at the basket. Senior Ronak Patel, who has worked hard in the off-season with weight lifting to gain strength, is fundamentally sound and can shoot from the outside.
On the bubble: 6’5″ junior Aaron Forquer keeps growing and will have an impact on the program whether it’s now or in the future. Alex Ritzman is a strong role player.
Wings
Anthony Mink leads the way with his quickness and work ethic. He has always had his outside shot and now has worked hard to improve his ability to penetrate. He draws a lot of attention, which means other players will have to be able to score. Senior Mike Severns is another of those physical defenders whether on the perimeter or inside despite being just 5’7″. The rest of the playing time will be up for grabs among several players. Garrett Kauffman, a 6’3″ junior, shoots and rebounds well and has some varsity experience. Sophomore Charlie Fitzsimons, recovering from a football injury, provides quickness and penetration and also saw varsity playing time at the end of last year.
On the bubble: sophomore Ryan Elliott brings intensity and physical strength as a penetrator while junior Andy Worley is more of an outside shooter.
Point Guard
Matuszak’s strength is his ability to penetrate and finish with both hands. He is a decent, mid- range, pull up jump shooter, but his knowledge on the basketball floor is what makes him special. Risen calls him an amazing defender with the quickest hands he’s seen.
Sophomore Cody Shipp, who is fundamentally outstanding, will spell Matuszak. He brings a load of experience with his summer leagues and participation on traveling teams.
On the bubble: junior Mark Lewis is rock solid and provides smart, hustling defense.
Rebounding
Though it’s a primary concern because of limited height, Risen is quick to point out that the Huskies were only out rebounded in one game last year with the same problem. The emphasis will be on the system of rebounding, knowing where to be and using their quickness to be effective.
Ball-handling
One of the best in the state according to Risen. This summer, using their ball control offense, they had very few turnovers.
Shooting
This year Risen believes teams will have a much more difficult time overplaying Mink and Matuszak because Sweet Home has additional weapons. Their best option is to penetrate, their next best option is to shoot outside, and finally to work the ball into the post. Post players will get most of their points off passes from penetration and inside positioning.
The Huskies shot 77% from the free throw line, two percent better than their stated goal.
Mink shot 92% while Matuszak shot 88%.
Speed
The Huskies’ strong suit. They can move and defend well both laterally and north and south.
They have gotten used to being the fastest team and sometimes can suffer a temporary lapse if they happen to face another team that can match their quickness.
Leadership
The leadership mantle will be shared by each of the six seniors, all of whom bring their own abilities, whether it be the floor leadership of Matuszak, the intensity of Mink, the quiet encouragement of Patel or the blue-collar toughness of Emmert, Graves, and Severns. They will rotate the duties as game time captains. Last year was much different with just the one senior who had not played his junior year.
“We have always used seniors,” said Risen. “They take it as a badge of courage that they have earned through the program.”
Offense and Defense
Last year the Huskies ran a more wide open game. This year, after teaching his system thoroughly, Risen feels that the players are ready to master the ball control offense and tough man to man defense.
“We are known for our fluid system,” said Risen, “but our kids need to know how to use it.”
Look for the defensive half-court pressure to create offense. They will run in transition when they have an advantage, which is all part of knowing the shot selection process in the system.
A full court press will only be used situational to change the momentum of the game, not something you can expect night after night.
“As well as we play half court man defense,” Risen emphasized, “it’s more of an advantage for us to drop back and get into people.”