Boys Basketball Goes Out Firing
By Carter Stedman
The Roseburg Boys Basketball season came to a close in the first round playoffs in a 96-72 loss to number one seeded Tualatin. Roseburg made the playoffs for only the second time in ten years, but the team feels it’s a step in the right direction for the program. This was the first trip to the playoffs under Coach Jordan Humprheys, who just finished his third year with the Indians. Roseburg finished third in the SWC behind South and North Medford, both of which were top teams in the state.
The team faced some adversity early on in the season, as they had to be quarantined on multiple occasions due to positive Covid tests within the team. After a bit of a slow start to the season, the boys started to find their rhythm, picking up key wins against Sheldon and Grants Pass at home. In the last week of the season, the Burg was able to go up to a hostile South Eugene gym and pick up a playoff-clinching win, solidifying their spot in the Round of 32. The team had varying perspectives on this achievement, as this was the first taste of success for many of the younger guys in the program. Seniors Carson Six, Ben Pike, and Danil Olson were happy to help lead the squad to the goal that had been set early in the year.
Coming into the first round as major underdogs, Roseburg knew they had to switch something up if they wanted a swingers chance to knock off the number one seed Tualitin. The strategy was established early and often, as Roseburg attempted a three pointer on nearly every possession in the first quarter. This kept the Indians in the game, as they went into half down a manageable margin. Junior shooting guard Hunter Fullerton lead the brigade, going 6-12 from downtown, finishing with a career high 20 points. Despite coming away with a loss, the team felt they had thrown the kitchen sink at the Timberwolves and took pride in a newly broken state record. The team shot 46 three point attempts, breaking the previous record by double digits.
With the team returning a large group of juniors, the Indians are in pursuit of yet another playoff appearance, this team hoping to make a deeper run. This is a step in the right direction for the Tribe, as now the community has seen what can be done once everyone is willing to buy into a common goal.
Roseburg also received a few Conference Honors, with sophomore Mykah Mendoza and senior Danil Olson making SWC Second Team, while junior Boston Williams received Honorable Mention.