By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
KEIZER, Ore.– After several months on the mend, West Salem senior Diggs Sladek made his long await debut for the 2025-2026 season.
Early in his junior season, Sladek tweaked his knee. Third game of the year against Clackamas actually, December 17, 2024. But it wasn’t until the final practice of the season where the full extent of his injuries were discovered:
Torn ACL and torn Meniscus.
But as he healed up. Months of rehab that bled into the start of his senior season, he grew to appreciate the game even more as the Titans began the season as he waited for the clearance to get back onto the court.
“It was pretty tough, but it was fun encouraging my teammates and hanging out with them. It definitely made me appreciate it, it made it seem like more of a privilege to play,” describes Sladek.
And as the calendar flipped into 2026 and Central Valley Conference play began, that moment he was waiting for eventually came.
It was January 16, 2026, and with 3:45 left in the first quarter, Sladek checked into the game and scored his first points of the season about a minute later.
“It was fun. I haven’t done it in a while and it felt good to finally get out there,” said Sladek.
Sladek wasn’t afraid of the moment of the big game that they were in with the Celtics. Packed house at McNary High School, both teams undefeated in league, emotions were high and it was just Round 1 of three that the two squads will have this season.
West Salem and McNary were tied at 36 at the halftime break before the Titans pulled out to an 11 point lead two minutes into the fourth quarter.
The Celtics rallied. They got the game down to one possession late into the game and put the pressure on West Salem to hit their free throws knowing that they, McNary, had some momentum brewing on their end.
In the closing seconds of what became a 66-60 victory for the Titans, Sladek hit two massive free throws to help West Salem get to that 66 point total. He felt no pressure as he walked to the line, he’s practiced this moment a lot through the years that he’s just kinda comfortable in moments like that.
“I was fine, I felt like the pressure didn’t get to me. I’ve practiced this a lot, so my work gave me confidence in that,” Sladek said.
Friday’s win was big, it was a preview going into another big CVC game on Tuesday against South Salem as both teams enter that game undefeated in league play.
“We definitely needed this one, but we got a lot more work to do,” said Sladek, who finished with 11 points in the victory. “We got to clean up some things, we got to run our offense a little bit better and take care of the ball more.”
Jonah Munns led the Titans with 14 points. Aydn Dallum led the Celtics with 14 points, McNary will host Liberty on Tuesday in a non-league matchup.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
