STANFIELD, Ore.-The Stanfield Varsity Boys basketball team beat Ione/Arlington 84-62 in a non-league contest for its sixth straight win on January 22.
After a fourth place finish at state last year, the Tigers are currently ranked fifth in the state, and Head Coach Rylie Smith credits the team’s success to the basketball culture built at Stanfield and the camaraderie of the team.
“We’ve had a good start this season due to our guys having bought into the We over Me culture built these last three seasons,” said Stanfield Head Coach Rylie Smith. “Everyone works hard for one another; no one wants to let their teammates down.”
A handful of players who had a part in the Tiger’s state-run last season are back for Stanfield this year, as well as some players who gained valuable experience going against upper classmen last year.
Israel Monkus, a 5’11” guard, has also had a big impact for the Tigers since returning to the court for his senior season with the Tigers after missing last year with a knee injury, and is one of the reasons Smith is confident in his squad.
“He was a crucial piece to our team that we missed last year, and his being back has only given more confidence to the team and himself,” said Smith.
Monkus, a running back and wide receiver for the Stanfield football team, tore the ACL in his right knee during the 2024 football season. After surgery in January, followed by rehabilitation, he made it back in time for the 2025-26 season.
With eight games left, including six league matchups, Smith and his Tigers aren’t taking anything for granted, despite the fast start and high ranking.
“We want to play on the last day of every season, and we have to keep doing the little things daily to give ourselves that opportunity,” said Smith. “Nothing is handed out, one game at a time and embrace every moment.”
Stanfield followed up its win against Ione/Arlington with a 65-41 league win over Grant Union on January 23, before falling to South Wasco County 64-57 in a nonleague contest on January 24.
Stanfield is now 12-5 overall and an undefeated 5-0 in league play. The Tigers’ next home game is January 30 against Irrigon, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m.
