Wilsonville For Wilsonville boys basketball coach Chris Roche, each season has presented its own set of difficulties. With three starters graduating from the program after losing in the 2024 state championship final, the team that has been retooling as a Class 5A contender this year has five seniors in all.
And in a 78-55 victory over a stingy La Salle Prep defense on Friday night, Roche’s new player, Cole Hammack, demonstrated his ability to fill those shoes and stay undefeated in Northwest Oregon Conference play.
Halfway through the first session, the Wildcats (15-2, 9-0 NWOC) fell down 10-4, but Hammack scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half to put the team ahead of the Falcons (10-7, 5-3 NWOC) 32-30 at the half.
In order to reach the cup and turn the Falcons’ aggression against them, Hammack employed a variety of spin plays and downhill drives when facing a full-court press or a two-three zone. The North Marion senior transfer finished with four rebounds and 31 points.
Regarding Hammack’s first half, Roche stated, “If you’re going to press us, you’re taking a chance, because he’s phenomenal in the open court.” He is a fantastic player because he does everything well and makes excellent selections. He is also quite selfless. His ability to score goals is arguably his best trait, yet he always makes the proper pass.
Hammack once again demonstrated his ability to lead the Wildcats to victory, especially after losing key players from the previous campaign.
He put a lot of effort into earning the trust of his coach and teammates, and he believes that his one and only year with Wilsonville will be successful.
“As our point guard and one of them, Roche has really taken me in and just tried to get me up to speed on everything as fast as possible,” Hammack stated. I have received a warm welcome from everyone in the program.
We’re a new team coming together, but we’ve been working hard to become one and just aim to be the greatest, he continued.
After a solid first half by Hammack, the home team focused on ball security and defense to wear down La Salle and win their 11th straight game.
With 15 points and seven rebounds, center Emmitt Fee finished with nine points in the second half after settling into the half court and taking advantage of the shift in pace.
According to Fee, we did a great job moving the ball. We were able to return to defense because we were sharing the ball and making excellent shots, and we were just able to shut him out much more effectively in the second half than we had in the first.
As sophomore guard Rigdhen Khyungra finished the game with 23 points and three steals, the Falcons were unable to compel the Wildcats to play at their frantic pace like they had in the first half.
The quick trio at La Salle included seven points and four assists from Paul Skoro and four points and two steals from Vance Sheffield.
According to Roche, we were aware that we faced a competition between Sheffield, Skoro, and Khyungra. We had to sense their speed and the tempo at which they were performing. At last, we became more comfortable and improved our play.
“We let them get out in transition too much,” Hammack continued. At halftime, there was a lot of chatter. It dealt with the necessity of reducing that and returning to defense.
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Additionally, Roche saw that his team’s chemistry and communication improved in the second half.
In addition to Hammack, the squad has won a starting position for freshman post Michael Ratcliffe Jr. and senior wing Drake Devin, who both transferred from Hermiston.
Devin had three assists, five rebounds, and thirteen points in the end. Ratcliffe Jr. contributed six rebounds and four points.
Three newcomers have contributed, and Fee has been happy to see how quickly the team’s schemes and ethos have been assimilated. Being the only two returning starters, Fee and Jacob Boss are aware that leadership has been and will continue to be a powerful component in restoring continuity.
“Losing seniors is always difficult,” Fee remarked following the game. We will be better if we give the young men greater leadership.
Despite their perfect NWOC record, the Wildcats are hungry and determined to give it their all in every practice and game so they can potentially make another deep run in the playoffs.
After the game, Roche stated bluntly that we are not currently the best practice team. Our goal is to speak up more. Our goal is to improve our offensive ball entry. We are attempting to better enforce our will defensively; for example, it took us an hour and a half to get rolling tonight.
As you mentioned, we are occasionally reluctant to take the lead because there are so many new faces. However, we are improving; it’s a day-by-day situation for us.
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