By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
STAYTON, Ore.– Eli Silbernagel continues to contribute for the Regis Boys Basketball team this season.
On Tuesday the senior scored 58 points in a 88-76 victory over Kennedy, it felt like a quiet 58 Silbernagel eluded to as he did what he could to help the Rams win the Tri-River Conference game that night. Fast forward to Thursday night in a non-league game against Santiam Christian, Silbernagel once again led Regis in scoring. Scoring a team-high 20 points in the Rams 75-56 victory over the Eagles on Senior Night.
“These six seniors, we’ve been here forever and we just need to stay together for the rest of the season,” says Silbernagel.
Silbernagel was one of four seniors who scored in double-figures on the night. Flecther Gould scored 18, Lucas Koenhke scored 13 and Rook Smith contributed another ten as Regis started strong and sustained that momentum throughout against a quality 3A team in Santaim Christian.
“They are a good team, but I feel like we’ve proved ourselves day-in and day-out. It’s just another big win for us. It definitely boosts our morale going into playoffs and knowing that we’re better than most teams…knowing that we can play with and beat anybody. It just feels good to beat a good team every night,” said Smith. “It’s a great feeling to beat a great team and have high-expectations of winning State and going out here, performing like we do and like we know we can, it’s a great feeling.”
The Rams led 23-12 after the first quarter and 42-23 at halftime. Their high-tempo pace created turnovers and created fastbreak opportunities on the offensive end of the court. Regis maintained its 20-point lead the rest of the way and will look to cap a perfect regular season Friday at Gervais before shifting focus to the TRC League and 2A State playoffs.
Santiam Christian closed out the regular season on Friday and will go into PacWest Conference League Playoff action 16-9 on the year. Bradyn Biza led the Eagles with 14 points.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
