The Sweet Home’s boys basketball team is starting off the new season with a young roster. Head Coach Drew Emmert is optimistic about the Huskies’ chances in the always-tough Oregon West Conference.
“”I am very excited for this year,” he said. “We are really young, and that will come with challenges but I am confident we will overcome.”
The boys got things off to a good start with a win at Elmira in their opener, followed by a loss to Phoenix at home.
Sweet Home has seven underclassmen on its 11-man varsity roster, headed by experienced seniors Josh Aker (5-9) at point guard, Jason Funk (5-11) and Conner Pace (6-4).
Aker is “a strong defender,” Emmert said, and Pace is “a dominant scorer and rebounder down low,” while Funk is “a quick, scrappy guard.”
Also back is sophomore Bradyn McClure (6-0), who is the top returning scorer from last year’s team.
Fellow sophomores Trent Harvey (5-8) and Daniel McCubbins (6-4) will join the varsity for the first time.
“They are ready to contribute at the varsity level and I’m excited to see what they can do,” Emmert said.
Junior Trenton Templin (5-11) will play varsity, while sophomores Gavin Tyler (6-0), Kellen Hartsook (6-2), and Kaeson Walker (6-1) “will continue to be a part of this team’s success,” Emmert predicted.
The Huskies welcome a promising freshman, Mason Tyler (6-0), an athletic wing with strong scoring potential.
“He will play a big role in his first varsity season,” Emmert said. The Tylers have basketball DNA as both their father, Nate Tyler, and uncle, Nick Tyler, were among the top players ever for the Huskies.
The junior varsity roster includes juniors Alex Bachand, Keeghan Gittins and Jim Morgan, sophomores Kyle Hagel, Landon Murry and Noah Valdez, and freshmen Damon Lawrence and Sam Barringer.
Junior varsity 2 players, all freshmen, include Levi Ayala, Kyler Bondesen, Andru Collings, Evan Knight, Felix Lopez, Owen Nicholson, Russell Schroeder, Blayne Schuster, Jake Smith and Kace Stevens.
Emmert is assisted on the bench this year by coaches Ryan Graville, Ryan Adams, Cole Emmert, Grant Kauffman, and Zach Luttmer, all former Huskies.
Emmert said he is particularly excited to see how his younger players contribute at the varsity level, showcasing the program’s “depth and potential.”
The team will play an “aggressive, high-energy style on both ends of the floor, using a pressing defense to challenge opponents” he said.
The Huskies aim to make the state tournament this year, with Emmert emphasizing the importance of taking it one game at a time.
“Our goal this year is to make the playoffs and see what happens,” he said.
The Oregon West Conference will be its normal self – “good,” Emmert predicted.
“As it is every year, it will probably be the toughest conference in the 4A. Cascade is the preseason No. 2 and Newport and Philomath are pre-season top-10. North Marion and Stayton both have potential to be really good as well.”
However, he added, “I think we will be able to be very competitive in our league this year.”
Their first game was a positive start for the Huskies on Wednesday, Dec. 4, with a 59-49 win at Elmira – despite a last-second attempt by the Falcons to narrow the gap with a three-point attempt.
“We played solid team defense.” Emmert said.
In his first high school game, Mason Tyler came close to a school record of three-pointers in one game with five, shy of the record of seven held by now-JV Head Coach Grant Kauffman, who set the single-game scoring record at 46 points in 2013. Tyler put up 19 points for Sweet Home, mostly in the second half. Jason Funk had some big shots in the first half.
Pace added 13 points for the Huskies.
“We have a lot to work on but it was a good first game and nice to get the win,” said Emmert after the game, adding that the Huskies gritted their way through some adversity.
”We had a lot of fouls tonight but they showed diversity coming in and finishing that last half strong.”
At home Friday against Phoenix, the Huskies fell behind as the third-ranked Pirates dropped six 3’s in the first quarter. Sweet Home battled back, tying the score at one point, but then fell 55-39.
Emmert said the game was a “learning experience” for his young Huskies as they aim to refine their high-energy playing style and build on their season goals.
Sweet Home will host Sutherlin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a 5:30 p.m. matchup with Cottage Grove on Friday, Dec. 13. They will travel Dec. 17 to Estacada.