Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2015)
4 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015 NED HICKSON/SIUSLAW NEWS New Siuslaw boys basketball coach Will Biggs gathers his team for some offensive strategy during an early morning scrimmage on Friday. Biggs from 1B That high school team from Union City, which hadn’t been to state in 25 years, was on the state hardwood during Biggs’ first year as head coach. The following year they played for the title. “This team reminds me a lot of that situation,” says Biggs. “It’s one of the reasons I love- coaching high school basketball — and why I chose to return to it in retirement. There’s no ego, only a desire to play well and suc- ceed.” Biggs says his goals at this point are simple: strive to do the little things well. Strong passing. Two-handed rebounding. Confident shooting. Teamwork. “It’s the little things that add up to big results,” says Biggs. “I’ve been very impressed and pleased with how this group has been absorbing everything like sponges. They are taking it all in and making improvements every day. “I can honestly say they have improved 110 percent in the first week.” Looking at this year’s team, which is mostly sophomore- dominated and led by seniors Preston Mitchell, Kenneth Thrall and Reese Siegel, Biggs says it’s a strong nucleus to build from. “We’re going to apply pressure to everyone we play, based on our athleticism, talent and depth,” Biggs predicts. “We want to be aggressive and do everything we can to dictate the tempo of the game.” Is Biggs thinking about post- season potential at this point? “I have long-term goals at this point,” he says. “The scoreboard will say it all. We play hard and play well, then the rest will take care of itself.” Biggs says he’s heard that Siuslaw isn’t known as a “basket- ball school.” He’d like to change that. “I want our kids to focus on where they are and what they can do together, not where they have been,” says Biggs. “I’m very pleased with what I’m seeing and their desire to work hard.” After an early morning prac- tice Friday, with players hitting the main gym at 6:30 a.m., they are greeted by fresh bagels and cream cheese at center court as the team gathers for Biggs’ part- ing words for the day — an optional practice on Saturday. As the group leaves, conversa- tion among players makes it clear no one plans on missing the “optional” practice. When asked if he expects to learn as much from the experi- ence of his return to high school coaching as his players will, Biggs pauses. “No. Not really,” he chuckles. “After 37 years of coaching, I know who I am and have seen just about everything. “And I have the gray hair to prove it.” Home Improvement Experts 541-999-5588 SPECIAL OFFER Fishing from 1B fishing is fair to good in the upper river above Moonshine Park. WILSON RIVER: Steelhead, Chinook Fall Chinook fishing should be fair to good. Fish will be spread out from tidewater upstream. Anglers are remind- ed that the river above Jordan Creek is closed to all salmon fishing. Summer steelhead fishing should improve with better flows. lakes like Saunders Lake. Fishing a worm on the bottom in deep water should provide lots of bites for yellow perch. COOS RIVER BASIN: Dungeness crab, salmon, bay clams Streams in the Coos Basin are now closed for trout until May 22, 2016. A few dedicat- ed salmon anglers have been trolling in the Coos River this past week. They have picked up a few chinook and coho salmon trolling cut plug her- ring behind a flasher. The wild coho season in Coos Bay is open until Nov. 30. Anglers are allowed to keep one wild coho per day and two for the season. Coho fishing remains good in the lower Coos Bay. A few steelhead should be moving into the rivers later this month. 541-999-5083 Buying or Selling? I can help. Chris Bunch Principal Broker 541 997-8877 ...need a friend? Meet Jo Jo This is one happy and energetic dog who would love an active family. He enjoys playing ball and walks well on a leash. Jo Jo is looking for someone to be his BFF for life COOS COUNTY LAKES PONDS: Trout, large- www.shoppelocal.biz Licensed Bonded and Insured CCB#204226 Florence Oregon 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 AND mouth bass, yellow perch Fall trophy trout were stocked in October in Bradley Lake. Anglers fishing from small boats or pontoons have been catching several trout. About 50 large rainbow trout from Bandon Hatchery were stocked into Butterfield Lake. These trout are leftovers that did not get used in family fishing events this past sum- mer. Fishing for largemouth bass has been good in many of the Coos County lakes. As the water cools down fishing for bass will be good throughout the day. Bass will be concen- trated near drop-offs and structure like submerged logs. Yellow perch fishing will start to pick up this month in FOR NOVEMBER www.HomeImprovementExperts.us 2083 Royal St. Georges Dr – Best lot in Sand- pines, Wisteria. Bring your blueprints or build using the foundation already in place in this up- scale, gated golf-course community. $80,000. #2338-14640303 YAQUINA RIVER: Chinook, coho, cutthroat trout Anglers are having fair to good results for fall Chinook Trolling herring or spinners during the incoming tide through the high slack typical- ly. Recent rains have moved a good portion of fish to the upper tide water reaches and above. The wild coho fishery is open through Nov. 30 with a daily bag limit of 1 adult coho and seasonal limit of 2 adult coho (in aggregate with other areas with the same bag limit). 10% OFF ALL WORK Aff ordable Excellence If you would like to meet Jo Jo any of his friends, please visit us at: FLORENCE HUMANE SOCIETY 2840 Rhododendron Drive • Florence • 541-997-4277 www.fl orencehumane.org This message brought to you by: Let Paul show you a new car or truck. Stop by today! 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Friends of the Humane Society, if you would like to help a friend call the Siuslaw News 541-902-3525.
