By Jeremy McDonald
jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
DAYTON, Ore.– Lane Garrison has been putting in some work this offseason entering his senior year with the Dayton Boys Basketball program.Working with the Grit AAU squad, Garrison pointed towards how the AAU circuit made him a better player.
It made him a smarter athlete, a physical athlete too. Something that he’s hoping to bring to the table entering his final season as a Pirate.
“I felt like it helped me a lot getting stronger and being smarter and being a smarter player overall,” said Garrison.
Despite graduating six seniors last year, Dayton’s returning a solid core that features Garrison, DJ Holloway, Clyde Rosenberg, Tanner Gentry and Austin Bodenhamer to name a few. It’s inviting those younger guys to come in and step up to fill the void left by guys like Boston Hodges and Morgan Gallgher for this season.Fuel is another big factor for the Pirates entering this season.
Coming off a two-and-done trip to Coos Bay, that heartbreak is driving those coming back. They had Valley Catholic, who finished third in 3A, on the ropes before falling 62-55 to open the tournament. For those seniors this year like Garrison, it’s a good motivational tool knowing they want to go out in a better fashion than they did to close out their junior year.
“I remember last year we were up nine at half against Valley Catholic and ended up losing that game and going home first, it fuels you a lot. It’s my senior year and losing the first round in Coos Bay when you’re up nine at half, it’s really fueling us. I know it’s fueling some of the other guys over there from last year,” Garrison said.
Dayton opens up the season at Western Christian with a jamboree on December 4 before heading to OES to open the season on December 5. The Pirates first home game of the year will be on December 10 against Westside Christian before their Dayton Holiday Tournament that starts on December 12.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
