Written by John Denny - Portland Tribune
La Salle Prep boys basketball coach Jared Curtiss says he is excited about his Falcons’ prospects next winter, after their showing this summer.
“We finished 36-6....,” Curtiss said. “I think we have the potential to earn a trophy at Gill with our improved shooting, and a better understanding of our fast-paced system. Last summer was an introduction, and this summer it has been refinement, and the guys are really flying high.”
Curtiss said his Falcons defeated several Oregon Class 6A and 5A teams over the summer, including: Centennial, Reynolds, David Douglas, Barlow, Clackamas, Rex Putnam, South Albany, West Albany, Summit and Sandy.
by: FILE PHOTO BY JOHN LARIVIERE - La Salle Prep 6-8 post Sean Hays (34) takes the ball inside in last season's 50-49 state play-in win over Tillamook. Hays has been dominant in play this summer.
The Falcons won the Spokane HUB Tournament July 19-21, with their varsity defeating Burlington-Edison twice, as well as Lake Stevens and the Spokane Elite Rim Rattlers.
They went 13-0 at the Bend Team Camp at Summit High School. Class 5A Summit and South Albany were among the teams they defeated.
They finished second at the Oregon State Camp Tournament, losing to 5A power West Albany in overtime, 54-52.
At the War of the Border Tournament in Longview, they defeated Spokane’s Eisenhower, Auburn-Riverside and Kelso, going 3-2 against big schools from Washington.
“Losing Daniel Lashbaugh, Sam Davis, and Justin Stangel [to graduation] is a hurt, but I really feel that we are going to be much stronger this coming season,” Curtiss said.
“Jacob McGraw missed some time playing with his AAU team, but in his absence we went 10-2.
“Sean Hays, our 6-8 post, has really played at a high level. He dominated many games on both sides of the court.
“Like a lot of teams, we were missing a lot of key ingredients, but it afforded us a chance to play everyone and get some much-needed chemistry.
“Ian Johnson, an incoming senior point guard [reserve last year], showed great improvement, as well as incoming sophomores Keeston Smith (6-4) and Brandon Falk (6-4).”
2011/2012 Groundbreaking year at La Salle Prep
Following up on La Salle Prep’s triumphant fall 2011 season with its first state championships in football and chess, the success of the winter and spring seasons allowed the Falcons to set another school record. La Salle’s Athletic Director Brian Crawford congratulated La Salle’s 2011-2012 teams and clubs on their amazing year, “I believe this is the first time in school history that throughout the entire year we have had representation from every Falcon athletic team in the state playoffs.”
This spring alone the Falcons claimed district championships in baseball, boys’ and girls’ tennis, boys’ golf and boys’ track and field. Senior outfielder Erich Regan, Oregon City, was voted Baseball Player of the Year for the Tri-Valley Conference. Four other teammates joined him on the first team, Trey Norton, Sean Hayes, Sam Eichorn and Zach Nusbaum. Grant Studdard, Cody Farnes and Sam Davis were selected to the second team. First year head coach Mike Reed was named coach of the year. The Falcon softball team reached the state tournament for the first time in over a decade by defeating Crook County in Prineville by a score of 7-5 during a play-in game. Loryn Williams and Annie Dulwick were selected to the first team for softball while Makenzie Cook, Paige Bell and Ellie Mulvaney received honorable mention.
Earlier this school year La Salle claimed conference championships in volleyball, football, boys' cross country, girls' cross country, and boys' basketball.
La Salle teams and individuals also reached state competition in boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ swimming, girls’ basketball, girls’ golf, girls’ track & field, choir, boys’ lacrosse, speech, ski, snowboarding and racquetball. With more than 80% of La Salle students participating in athletics or clubs, this year’s victories represent school wide achievement. With this student success comes exciting upgrades to the school’s campus. La Salle will unveil its new stadium in fall 2012, with grandstands that will seat nearly 1,000 fans to cheer on their defending state championship football team.
