By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
AMITY, Ore.– Last year was the fruition of their goals when they went on to win the 3A State Championship. Holding off Banks’ last second shot to bring home the programs first-ever State Championship Title in the process.
The target was on their backs last year, they fulfilled that potential with that Title win and now they’re back, refocused, and want to try for it again this year.
“It was pretty shocking, we knew that we were capable of it. But at least for me, it was something that I wanted to do and I never thought it would happen, but it was super fun,” said Alyssa McMullen.
“It feels good to won it last year and to come back this year and want it again. It’s like a challenge,” adds Lyliana Rideout.
McMullen, Rideout, the Nisly twins of Adie and Eliza, Haley Miersma and Kylie Wilson anchor the returners for this season as they wrap up the second week of practices with the start of the season just a week and a half away for them.
A solid core, but they will be looking to fill two big shoes at point guard with Mya Haarsma and in the rebounding game with Saralynn Grove both graduating. But with the talent they have coming back, confidence is there that they won’t be missing a beat once the ball is tipped off on December 5 at the Warrior Classic.
“To a certain extent, some of our guard play with be by committee because we have so many capable guards, that’ll be primarily done by Haley, who will be our point guard,” starts Amity Head Coach Jed McMullen. “As a team, we need to rebound better defensively. Rebound better all together, but Kylie Wilson is going to get a ton more time. I don’t think people understand how special she is. She’s always been a talented rebounder, even as a kid.
“We’ll fill those voids. (Haarsma and Grove) are two really special players to have to fill, but we’ll figure it out.”
And they’ll get a good amount of reps to figure it out too.
They’ll start the year wirh the Warrior Classic before heading to the Capitol City Classic on December 19 and then the Crusader Classic over New Year’s to fine tune their team in preparation for the PacWest Conference and hopefully another successful 3A State Playoff run.
It emulates Coos Bay almost points Alyssa McMullen as they look forward to what those tournaments may give to them experience wise.
“We like doing tournaments because when you get to play those high level challenging games, back-to-back, it kind replicates the State Tournament because your body gets tired and you don’t get a mental break really between games. So that’ll be super helpful, ” said Alyssa McMullen.
The Warriors kick of the 2025-2026 season at home against Elmira at 7pm.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
