Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2020)
PAGE A14, KEIZERTIMES, FEBRUARY 7, 2020 KEIZERTIMES.COM Big fourth quarter puts McNary over the edge By MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes The McNary boys basket- ball team had a shaky start to the second half. But they made up for it in the fi nal eight minutes. Trailing 39-34 heading into the fi nal period, the Celtics began the quarter on a 16-2 run, propelling them- selves to the 56-49 victory over Sprague on Thursday, Jan. 30. “We just needed to start slowing it down on offense and get better looks. That’s what helped us pull out the win,” said Nate Meithof, who led McNary with 19 points — 17 of which came in the second half. While McNary has relied heavily on Meithof ’s offen- sive ability this season — he is currently the third lead scor- er in the state — the Celtics had to go without their star shooting guard’s services for the majority of the fi rst half due to foul trouble. Fortunately for the Celt- ics, Meithof ’s teammates were able to pick up the slack the defense gives us. And now you’re seeing guys who early on. Jando Gonzalez and Kyler know that they can score and Rodriguez hit back-to-back are shooting with a lot of 3-pointers to give McNary confi dence.” “We have a lot of trust in the 10-1 lead in the open- ing quarter. Riley Flores got each other. Everyone knows their role and in on the ac- plays with tion later in c o n f i d e n c e,” the period, “ We just Gonzalez add- nailing a pair needed to start ed. “We are all of triples to close together, extend the slowing it down so we don’t Celtics lead on offense ever get down to 16-6 at the and get better on each other.” end of one. Sprague “We never looks. That’s went on a 9-2 quite know run to cut each night what helped their defi cit to who’s going us pull out the three. But key to do what buckets from for us, but win.” Rodriguez guys know — Nate Meithof, and Zane that we’re McNary shooting guard Aicher allowed going to play McNary to the hot hand. hold onto The more ex- perience you gain in those their lead. Tyler Copeland situations, the more comfort- knocked down a pair of free able you feel,” McNary head throws at the end of the coach Ryan Kirch said. “We second quarter to put the have really challenged other Please see BBALL, Page A10 guys to attack and take what KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings McNary wing Tyler Copeland looks to score in traffi c in the Celts 56-49 win over Sprague. KEIZERTIMES/Lauren Murphy Kyle Hooper won the 100-yard breaststoke in McNary’s dual meet with McKay. Celtics win fi nal dual He took seven months off By MATT RAWLINGS before the high school sea- Of the Keizertimes In the last dual meet of his son, but Hooper feels like he McNary career, Kyle Hooper is rounding into shape at just the right time. made in a memorable one. “It’s kind of been a work The Celtics senior won two individual events (100- in progress to get back to yard butterfl y and 100-breast- where I wanted to be, but stroke) and also helped his Casey, being the great coach that he is, team win a pushed me to pair of relays as get back to the McNary “ Aside from the wear I was. boys swim The progres- team defeated points and the sion over the McKay 124- wins, we had season has 39 on Thurs- a lot of really been really day, Jan. 30. good.” The Mc- good swims. A McNary Nary girls freshman team also end- lot of kids are ed their dual really starting to Zachary Kil- by also had season in pos- a big night itive fashion, come along.” in the water, beating the — Casey Lewin, winning the Royal Scots McNary swim coach 5 0 - f re e s t y l e 106-62. (24.30) and “It was re- the 100-free ally exciting for me to leave on a positive (54.61), as well as helping the note. It was great to see ev- Celtics win the 200-medley eryone happy on their last and 200-free relays. Jeremy Becker picked up dual meet,” Hooper said. “Aside from the points the Celtics other individu- and the wins, we had a lot of al victory in the 100-back- best times and a lot of real- stroke, fi nishing in 1:16.05 ly good swims. A lot of kids — one one-hundredth of a are really starting to come second faster that his team- along,” added McNary head mate Gavin Eisele. On the girls side, Mc- coach Casey Lewin. Hooper won the 100-fl y Nary sophomore Paris Boyd in 1:01.25 and fi nished the showed her great versatility in both short and long dis- 100-breast in 1:08.91. tance races, winning the 50- free in 26.59 and the 500- free in 5:36.38. “It’s attributed to all the work she puts in the pool. It’s really nice having a swimmer that can you can literally plug into any event,” Lewin said about Boyd. Eloisa Moreno won the 100-fl y (1:12.76), Bella Beard took home the 100-breast (1:18.38) and Kianna Staley was victorious in the 100- free (1:08.00). McNary will compete at the Mountain Valley Confer- ence District Meet Feb. 14- 15 at the Kroc Center. Last season, the Celtics couldn’t compete with every school in the conference as Bend, Mountain View and Summit were unable to make the trip to Salem for the dis- trict meet due to inclement weather. This season, Lewin and his squad are excited to be able to compete in a true district meet. “We’re really excited to get to compete against the Bend schools this year. Our goals are just to focus on us and take care of what we need to take care of and get some best times and hope- fully those best times are enough to get things done,” Lewin said. Celts beat Sprague for fi rst league win it will be a big confi dence By MATT RAWLINGS builder for us.” Of the Keizertimes Annie Leigh Besa was also After losing their fi rst four games in Mountain Valley in double-fi gures with 11 Conference play, the Mc- points in the victory. Doutt was pressed into Nary girls basketball team duty earlier than expected was desperate for a victory. Fortunately for the Celt- after Kenzie Proctor got her ics, starting point guard Leah second foul less than a min- Doutt returned to action ute into the game. She hit after missing the last four a runner midway through games due to illness, and she the fi rst period for her fi rst bucket to put the Celtics on did not disappoint. Doutt came off the bench top 4-0. A jumper from Besa gave to lead McNary with 12 McNary the points, three 6-2 lead at assists and the end of the two steals, al- “ The win was quarter. lowing the The Celtics Celtics to defi nitely a extended their earn their fi rst good morale advantage league win with a 10-0 of the sea- boost. We run to start son, beating showed a lot of the second Sprague 40- period. After 27 on Thurs- heart late in the a free throw day, Jan. 30. game.” by Besa, Doutt “It was re- ally nice to — Elizabeth Doran, completed a three-point back on the McNary head coach play to make fl oor. It was the score 10-2. really hard to “It’s great to have Leah have to sit on the bench and watch my team because I back. A lot of these girls have wanted to help. I actually felt been playing with her since a lot better that I was expect- fi fth grade. It was just really ing to,” Doutt said. “We real- KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings Please see CELTS, Page A11 Bekah Grimmer rises up to shoot a jumper over a Sprague defender in McNary’s 40-27 win on Thursday, Jan. 30. ly needed that win. I think
