By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
MILL CITY, Ore.– Last season the Santiam Boys Basketball made their return to the 2A Postseason after a year away from the Field of 16.
And for those returning, it was a good learning experience for this year as they faced an Oakland Oaker squad that went on to finish third in 2A last season. The Wolverines came in over-confident and Oakland reminded them not to underestimate their opposition, it was something that they’re taking to heart this season as they’re closing into their first game of the season next week.
“This year, we know not to underestimate nobody and just go out there and play the best basketball that we can. The best we can and hopefully we can make it to Pendleton…that’s the goal,” said Kross Martinson of the experience last season. “We’re going to play and reach our potential this year.”
“It was huge, I was really mad that we didn’t make it all the way to State last year. But this year, we have a much better shot just because of our teamwork. Our teamwork, our team chemistry, it’s much better than last year,” adds Ace Aerni. “Everyone’s getting along, I think it’s going to be a great season.”
Santiam returns a solid core of returners from last year’s 16-10 squad. Martinson, Aerni, Mason Lindemann and Colt Twede give the Wolverines a strong four to roll with for the season ahead under first-year, and first-time, Head Coach Elvis Hicks.
Hicks was an assistant coach for Santiam last year under then-Head Coach Trevor Bodine, so Hicks got familiarized with the community and the team that he inherited from Bodine entering this season. Familared with the game as an assistant and in the Travel Ball circuit, Hicks holds his team’s to a high standard as he takes over a program that has built itself over the past decade as a respectable 2A program.
“I run to my standard’s and these kids have to come up to my standards, or they don’t play. So far it’s been good, the kids have really been receptive with the hard coaching that I’m giving them and I’m really excited for this year,” said Hicks.
And despite his high-standards, Hicks has spoke highly about his players and is confident in their abilities as athlete’s.
“They have been 100-percent coachable. I think Kross has probably made the biggest leap…he really changed attitude, he asked me what he could do to get better and I told him that the biggest thing was attitude and uplifting your teammates and not putting them down and he really embraced that and he’s been an absolute roll-model since,” starts Hicks.
“Ace has been super talented. One-on-One, he could beat anybody. Issac (Martinez) transferred from Cascade, he helps us with size and attitude and could really play too. Colt, we’re hoping to bring that big man out of him this year. That’s why I brought Spoon (Assistant Coach Jeffrey Witherspoon) in to work one-on-one with Colt to be the player that I think he can be.”
With a week before their first game, the Wolverines are hoping to polish up the finer details of their new system as they kick off the season December 3 at home against East Linn Christian before the Wolverines head to play Knappa on December 5.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
