Bradyn McClure was named Sweet Home boys basketball’s Most Valuable Player during the team’s awards night Wednesday, March 5.
McClure, a sophomore who finished sixth in scoring in the Oregon West Conference, led the Huskies throughout the season on the floor, shouldering “a heavy load,” said Assistant Coach Ryan Adams, who presented the award.
“He was recognized by both the league coaches and his teammates. Being a leader isn’t easy but he embraced the role and improved his game.”
McClure also placed third in the Academic All-State listings for 4A schools, he noted.
Varsity coach Drew Emmert highlighted the team’s growth throughout the season, noting that Sweet Home’s squad was the youngest in the OWC.
“We improved so much by the end of the season,” Emmert said. “I wish we had a chance to play a non-ranked team to truly showcase how far we have come. The future of Sweet Home basketball is bright.”
He noted that, post COVID, the Huskies have been young and “now we have to be in the gym, practicing.”
The Huskies finished winless in league and 3-21 overall in a conference that finished the regular season with all five of the other teams ranked in the top 10 in the state.
Freshman Mason Tyler was the team’s free throw champion.
The Sportsmanship Award, which embodies hard work and dedication to uplifting teammates, went to sophomore Trent Harvey.
Senior Josh Aker was named Hustle Award winner and Defensive MVP.
“He’s been one of the hardest workers in the program over four years,” Adams said. “His energy was unmatched.”
Aker and fellow senior Conner Pace were Third-Year letter recipients.
Second-year letters went to senior Jason Funk and sophomores Kellen Hartsook, McClure, Gavin Tyler and Kaeson Walker.
Adams said Hartsook “made a major leap from last season,” finishing as the team’s fourth-leading scorer, while Tyler overcame a knee injury to become a strong defensive presence and Funk was the team’s best sixth man, who “brought high energy off the bench.”
Walker, he said, was a “consistent, hard-working teammate who contributed regardless of his minutes on the court.”
Earning their first letter were juniors Alex Bachand and Trenton Templin, sophomores Kyle Hagle, Harvey, Daniel McCubbins, Mason Tyler and manager Gage Pettner.
McCubbins was named the junior varsity MVP.