IRRIGON, Ore.-The Irrigon Boys Basketball team is off to a 5-4 start this season after a 68-46 win over Griswold on January 3.
Irrigon Head Coach Fredy Vera is in his first season leading the Knights and believes the team’s uneven start is the result of the team learning new things and figuring it out on the court.
“We preach Process all the time and that’s what it’s going to come down to for us,” said Coach Vera. “We have a long way to go, but the progress they’re making is great.”
In their five wins, Irrigon has shown a potent offense, winning by margins of 72-14, 63-61, 70-54, 100-17 and 68-46.
Three of the Knight’s four losses have been close contests, with Irrigon coming up short by scores of 32-69, 58-64, 53-64, and 60-63.
“Being a young team, experience and late game execution are lessons we’re learning in real time, but that also starts with me as a coach, putting them in the right position to execute,” said Coach Vera.
Irrigon is led by juniors Curtis Krogh, Bennette Atkins and Aidan Wells, as well as freshman Hayden Vera and Edgar Valdes.
For Coach Vera, the strength of his young Irrigon team is its willingness to play hard, its ability to shoot the ball well, and the team’s depth.
With 14 games left in the regular season, Coach Vera is looking for more consistent play from the Knights, as they hope to make a stretch run toward the playoffs.
“We’ve proven we can play at a high level,” said Coach Vera. “Now it’s about consistency, especially defensively and late in games. Being young, we’re learning how to finish, and that’s the next step for us.”
Irrigon takes on Four Rivers on the road on January 6, the next home game for the Knights is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on January 9 against Stanfield.
