It appeared that reigning 4A girls basketball champion Stayton might drop off a bit this season after graduating three starters, including the Oregon West Conference player of the year in Kenzi Hollenbeck and the conference defensive player of the year in Haley Butenschoen.
But the Eagles, who went 27-1 and won their first state title in 18 years last season, have carried that momentum forward. They are off to a 5-0 start – including consecutive wins over three 2025 state tournament teams in No. 5 Henley, No. 10 La Grande and No. 7 Seaside – and hold the top spot in the OSAAtoday 4A coaches poll.
“The girls are doing great,” said coach Tal Wold, whose team plays at Astoria on Friday night. “We're going to have a great year, regardless, but maybe it can be an elite year.”
Stayton is getting stellar play from its two returning starters in 6-foot-1 junior forward Kathryn Samek and 5-6 junior point guard Breeci Hampton, 4A first-team and second-team selections, respectively, last season.
Samek, who averaged a team-high 12.0 points per game as a sophomore, is putting up 19.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks. In the last three games, she is averaging 25.0 points, scoring a season-high 29 in a 65-61 win over Henley.
“Kathryn's been unbelievable,” Wold said. “A lot of it is just confidence. She's a little more aggressive, not as passive. She's just being more aggressive on the catch and looking to do more.”
Samek is shooting 57 percent on two-point attempts and has made 7 of 26 from three-point range.
“She's always been a three-point shooter,” Wold said. “We're trying to get her to attack the rim more, and do some more in the paint. She's taken on that challenge.”
Hampton is averaging 16.2 points, up from 9.0 last season. She is shooting 39 percent on three-pointers (16 for 41).
“She's really defending, and she's going better at getting in the paint,” Wold said.
Stayton's other three starters are junior forwards Kourtney Samek (5-7) and Zuri Andersen (5-11) and senior guard Makenzie Schacher (5-5). The Eagles were missing both Samek (ankle) and Andersen (personal reasons) in the last three games, so sophomores Mila Morley and Laela Hunt filled the spots.
Kourtney Samek, who persevered through the volleyball season with the ankle injury, has yet to play in a game. Getting her back on the court is a key factor for the team.
“She's going to be one of the most improved players in the state,” Wold said. “She was unbelievable for us in the summer. She rebounds, and she's one of the best defenders we've had. She's a super-tough, hard-nosed competitor. Between her and Zuri, you get a little bit of a blend of Kenzi.
“Kourtney would be a big piece in this. She's a great leader. Maybe in my 22 years as a coach, the best leader I've been around. Definitely in the top five.”
The Eagles are playing at a faster pace than last season, increasing their scoring to 60.4 points per game from 54.5. Schacher (6.8 points) and Andersen (6.0 points) are the next two leading scorers.
“We're scoring easier,” Wold said. “We've got more girls who can score. We don't have to grind it out as much.”
Their defense, though, is giving up 37.2 points, up from 26.5.
“We're not quite in sync there,” Wold said. “I'm hoping it comes together. We've got to get a little more connected, do things a little more as a team.”
Stayton will be challenged in the Oregon West by No. 2 Philomath and No. 4 Cascade. The Eagles' only loss last season came against Philomath, a defeat they avenged with a 47-38 win in the state final.
jerryu@osaa.org
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