Sherwood has ruled 6A Pacific Conference boys basketball since it joined in 2018-19, compiling an 84-4 record and winning six league titles.
But the Bowmen have yet to make the eight-team 6A tournament during that span, coming within one game four times, including last season. The last time they made a state tournament was a 5A quarterfinal appearance in 2014.
This season represents perhaps their best chance to break through that barrier. Sherwood is 13-4 overall, 5-0 in the Pacific, and ranked No. 7 on the OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll. The Bowmen, who have never finished higher than No. 11 in the 6A power rankings (2019), currently sit at No. 5.
“They're a really close-knit group, and I think that translates big-time to our on-court performance,” coach Rahim Tufts said.
The Bowmen lost three starters from last season but returned their two leading scorers in 6-foot-5 ½ senior wing Brody Rygh, the reigning Pacific player of the year, and 6-3 junior guard Avery Johnson.
Rygh got off to a slow start due to an ankle injury – he had two practices before the season opener – but he is finding his groove, averaging 16.1 points per game. He scored a season-high 34 points in a 78-72 home win over 5A No. 6 Summit on Jan. 9, with 30 coming in the second half.
“Brody is a great transition offensive player,” Tufts said. “If we get the board and we're able to push it, with his length and athleticism, he's able to get to the rim. He is very talented.”
The left-handed Johnson, a second-team all-conference pick last season, is doing a little bit of everything. He is leading the team in scoring (18.2), rebounding (6.4), assists (2.4) and steals (2.2).
“He kind of does it all,” Tufts said. “We post him up, and he's able to take guys off the bounce. He's really strong. He's able to use his body to get to the paint. When we swing the ball around, he's hitting threes, as well.”
Senior Riley DeBorde, a reserve last season, has taken over at point guard. He is averaging 6.5 points and 2.1 assists.
“He's really stepped up as a leader and kind of set the tone for us on both ends of the floor,” Tufts said.
Jonah Furino, a 6-7 senior who played sparingly last year, starts at center. The rest of the roster was on JV last season, including 6-2 junior guard Judah Dresser (9.7 points) and 6-4 senior forward Nate McArthur, who have rotated in the fifth starting spot.
Entering the season, the Bowmen knew that key factors would be playing physical defense and striking an effective balance on offense. They have succeeded on both counts.
“We needed to figure out ways to share the ball and score in other ways, because we knew teams would load up on our two leading scorers,” Tufts said. “The nice thing is we're an unselfish team. It's a good brand of basketball.”
Tufts has eschewed the 1-3-1 zone defense that was so effective last season in favor of man-to-man.
“Last year we were longer. We were a very good defensive team,” he said. “This year we're quicker.”
In the season opener, Sherwood led No. 9 Clackamas by two points and had possession with 15 seconds left, but the visiting Cavaliers converted back-to-back turnovers into baskets and escaped with a 78-76 win.
It was a valuable lesson. Shortly after, the Bowmen came through in the clutch to beat Benson 60-59 in overtime and came from behind in the fourth quarter to top Sunset 57-52 and West Linn 63-59.
“We learned from the Clackamas loss,” Tufts said. “We had the composure and poise to execute down the stretch.”
Sherwood has two other losses to in-state foes, falling to No. 5 Jesuit 60-48 at home and Summit 67-63 on the road, a defeat the Bowmen avenged at home.
On Friday, Sherwood plays host to Central Valley Conference-leading West Salem (9-7, 5-0). The Bowmen defeated the Titans 76-72 and 66-42 in December tournaments.
Westside Christian wins rematch of 3A powers
No. 2 Westside Christian, the reigning 3A champion, got payback on No. 1 Valley Catholic by rallying from a 15-point deficit in the last five minutes to beat the visiting Valiants 77-76 in a Lewis & Clark League showdown Tuesday.
With the game tied in the final seconds, Westside Christian senior Cade Hartenstein missed a layup in traffic and senior Josh Huskey tipped the rebound into the corner to senior Cole Chiong, who was fouled on a three-point attempt with one second left. Chiong made the first free throw, missed the next two, and the Eagles corralled the rebound as time expired.
With the win, Westside Christian (17-3, 9-1) evened the score for a 69-50 loss at Valley Catholic (17-2, 8-1) on Jan. 8. The Eagles ended the Valiants' winning streak at 15.
Hartenstein, who tied the game with two free throws in the final minute, finished with a team-high 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Chiong collected 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks and junior Quinten Jaimet had 15 points.
Jaimet was clutch, hitting two three-pointers in the last five minutes and forcing a turnover on Valley Catholic's last possession.
Valley Catholic led 69-54 with 5:10 left before the Eagles went on a 23-7 run to close out the game. Westside Christian held the Valiants scoreless in the last 2:20.
Jesuit leads Metro
No. 5 Jesuit assumed the top spot in the 6A Metro League with a 59-39 rout at No. 6 Westview on Tuesday.
The Crusaders (13-4, 4-0) hold a one-game lead over No. 3 Southridge (13-4, 3-1) and Westview (11-5, 3-1). The Wildcats were coming off a 58-51 win at Southridge, which visits Jesuit on Tuesday.
Crusaders junior guard Major Williams had 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals in the win over Westview. Williams is averaging 18.1 points in his last seven games and 15.4 points for the season.
Senior guards Joe Stimpson (13 points) and Sam Curvy (11 points, five rebounds, three assists) and junior guard Penny Harrison (six points, 11 rebounds, three assists) also chipped in for Jesuit, which shot 52 percent from the field. The Crusaders led 27-13 at half and 49-26 after three quarters.
Senior forwards Dashael Nicely and Dayton Jenkins scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, for Westview.
jerryu@osaa.org
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