STANFIELD, Ore.-The Stanfield boys basketball team brought home a fourth-place finish in the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) State Basketball Tournament in Pendleton on March 8.
For Head Coach Rylie Smith, who has built a winning program while embracing the Stanfield community, the opportunity for a special season was evident when his team came together to discuss its goals before the season.
“When a team is able to come together and voice similar goals, you know you’re going to have a special group,” said Coach Smith.
Some of the goals the Tigers set were winning a third-straight conference title, playing on the last day of the state tournament, winning a state championship and playing for each other and the community.
The basketball season is long and achieving their goals would be a challenge, so Stanfield embraced a tough preseason schedule to prepare for league play, and ultimately a state run.
“We knew that playing good teams early was going to set us up for league play and onward, even if it meant we took some losses and learned from them,” said Coach Smith.
Stanfield played multiple 2A and some 3A teams that ultimately made the state tournament early and built consistency on the hardwood, leading to a 22-7 record in the 2A-4 Blue Mountain Conference and a third consecutive league and district title for the Tigers.
In the first-round of the state playoffs, Stanfield drew Knappa and ran away from the Loggers for a 25-point victory to set up a Quarterfinal matchup against Oakland.
Stanfield came up short against a physical Oakland squad, falling 59-48, to move into the consolation bracket of the state tournament.
“We didn’t get the outcome we’d hoped for, which is always hard for a team that had high expectations for themselves, but we still had a goal to play on the last day of the tournament and there was one game standing in the way,” said Coach Smith.
Stanfield got past Salem Academy 54-46, to set up a showdown for fourth-place with East Linn Christian, a team that beat the Tigers in the consolation semi-finals the year before.
Tigers players remembered the bitter defeat from a year ago and were out for redemption when the game tipped off in Pendleton on March 8.
“From tip to finish the group of guys we had played their hearts out for each other and their community,” said Coach Smith.
When the buzzer sounded after a solid 62-52 win over East Linn Christian, the Tigers were bringing a fourth-place trophy back to the Stanfield community that embraced them.
“We wouldn’t have as good of kids if it weren’t for what the families and community have done in raising them,” said Coach Smith.
Four key players have suited up for Coach Smith every year since he started at Stanfield and helped build a basketball program based in the community. Those players will now pass off to five juniors who are ready to continue the Tigers hardwood success.
“I couldn’t have asked for harder-working, family-driven and selfless young men,” said Coach Smith. “They have helped lead by example by how they represent their school, families and community with the highest regard.”
