Nelson's Jaydon Schregardus made six three-pointers and scored 29 points in Tuesday's win over West Linn. (Photo by J.R. Olson)

On the heels of a breakthrough football season, Nelson is primed to contend with the state's best in boys basketball this winter.

The Hawks, No. 3 in the OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll, moved to 2-0 on Tuesday night with a 73-60 nonleague home win over No. 10 West Linn. Junior guard Jaydon Schregardus scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half as Nelson brushed aside the Lions (1-1).

With three starters back from a team that finished 21-6 and came within one win of the 6A tournament, the Hawks believe they are ready for a big step forward, much like the school's football team, which won its first Mt. Hood Conference title and reached the state semifinals in its fifth varsity season this fall.

“The first two years, we were freshmen- and sophomore-led,” coach Daniel Blanks said. “This is the first year that we're junior- and senior-led. It kind of takes two years to build that culture and habits. I feel like now we're at that point where we have a culture. Our kids take a lot of ownership in the program.”

Nelson, which defeated North Medford 79-53 at McArthur Court in its opener Saturday, has started the season without its floor leader in Braylon Gaines. The 6-foot junior point guard, who averaged 21.5 points and 5.9 assists as a sophomore, suffered a broken foot in early November and was expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

Blanks said that Gaines' status will be evaluated when he undergoes an X-ray on Dec. 19, the six-week mark after the injury. It's possible Gaines could be back for the Les Schwab Invitational on Dec. 26-30, according to Blanks.

“After LSI, we don't play until Jan. 13, so I think I'll probably keep him out until then and get an extra two weeks,” Blanks said. “He'll definitely be back for league play.

“It's actually a blessing in a sense because we can bring a lot of guys along, and then bring him back and have that reward of everyone on the team being able to contribute.”

Schregardus, plagued by injuries as a sophomore, is thriving in Gaines' absence. He showed his long-range shooting Tuesday by making six three-pointers in the first half.

“He's pretty much carrying our team,” Blanks said. “Without Braylon, he's able to show he's a high-level point guard. He's always had that in his game, but he's had to play off-ball with Braylon, who is ball dominant. He's fully healthy, and I expect him to be one of the best players in the state all season long.”

Senior guard Chaz Katoanga and junior guard Malachi Garlington scored 22 and 11 points, respectively, against West Linn. The Hawks led 61-42 after three quarters and cruised to the win.

Sophomore guard Carter Lockhart, a transfer from Central Catholic, led Nelson with 21 points against North Medford. Garlington added 18 points and seven rebounds.

The addition of the 6-1 Lockhart, who averaged eight points as a freshman for the Rams, bolsters the Hawks. He has scholarship offers from Oregon and San Francisco.

Blanks said that the 6-3 Garlington, who had 19 touchdown catches for the football team, has “freakish athleticism” in the mold of former Barlow standout Brayden Barron.

“People don't understand how special of a basketball player he is,” Blanks said. “He's a high-flier. He's one of the best defenders and rebounders in the state.”

Southridge flexes

Southridge moved from fourth to second in the OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll this week after beating then-No. 3 Tualatin 61-56 at home Saturday.

Zanon Ryder, a 6-8 senior center who transferred from Central Catholic, had 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks as the Skyhawks beat the Timberwolves. Junior guard Nikko Kalish also had 13 points in the win.

Southridge overcame a 31-point performance by Tualatin senior guard Jemai Lake, who shot 11 of 17 from the field. Junior guard Pat Vialva Jr. added 13 points for the Tinmberwolves, who slipped to No. 4 in the coaches poll.

Southridge improved to 3-0 on Tuesday with a 77-70 home win over Camas (Wash.) behind 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists from junior guard Elijah Thompson. Kalish had 16 points and four offensive rebounds.

Pirates drop No. 1

Junior guard Cooper Cemore scored 32 points as Riverside knocked off top-ranked and reigning 3A champion Westside Christian 72-68 in the Westside Winter Jam tournament Friday.

Cemore scored 16 of his points on free throws for the Pirates, who also got 20 points from senior forward Cougar Philippi. Seniors Cade Hartenstein and Cole Chiong each scored 22 points for Westside Christian.

The 6-0 Cemore averaged 32.7 points in the three games at the season-opening tournament. He scored 22 of his 31 points in the second half of a 64-61 loss to Trinity Lutheran in the opening round. He racked up 25 of his 35 points in the second half as the Pirates shook off an early 10-point deficit to beat Neah-Kah-Nie 57-48 in their third game.

Riverside rose from No. 10 to No. 5 in the OSAAtoday 3A coaches poll this week. Westside Christian (3-1) slipped to No. 2 behind Valley Catholic (2-1), which lost at 4A No. 3 Scappoose 90-69 on Tuesday.