By Jeremy McDonald
jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Confidence is riding high for the Salem Academy Boys Basketball team entering this season.
Last year’s 7-17 team was a growing year for a program coming off of a 2A State Championship Victory in 2022. But with a full off-season with Head Coach Jeff Dunn, who’s entering his second year of Open Gyms and Summer Basketball, they’re hoping they can take that next step into this year.
“It feels great this year having a little more time to prepare. We got a June ball season in, which was great. We played Open Gyms all Summer, which we didn’t have last summer. So the guys have been playing together right up until the season started, which is awesome,” said Dunn. “The guys are used to some of the things that we do, I feel like we’ve got a head start compared to last year.”
The Crusaders will have six seniors that will anchor the squad to go with two freshmen, two sophomores, and three juniors that surround them going into the winter season. The talent is there, and so is the experience, and the attitude’s are up that Dunn is hoping will result in a strong season once they tip off the season on December 4 against Santiam Christian at home.
“We got young talent, we got some leaders on the team as well with those six seniors, I’m definitely looking forward to it. Attitude’s are up. Last year was a down year after losing nine seniors the year before with a few good players, Jackson (Oglesby) being one of them,” starts Dunn.
“But this year, experience is up, and we’re in a better groove. It’s critical. Last year, there were a lot of challenges between losing guys and a new coach and young players, but this year, we’re a lot more enthusiastic and have a lot more experience returning. So we’re excited.”
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
