‘For everybody who couldn’t do it the last couple years because of COVID.’ After far too long of a wait, Wilsonville finally defends 5A boys basketball title by grinding out win over Silverton
By Bob Lundeberg | Photos by Leon Neuschwander
Points were at a premium as two defensive juggernauts squared off for the 5A state title.
No. 3 Wilsonville, which won the last completed state tournament in 2019, endured a tougher offensive first half than fourth-seeded Silverton. The floor opened up for both teams after the break, but the Wildcats converted more of their chances — particularly in the third quarter — to secure another blue trophy for head coach Chris Roche.
Behind a 17-point third-quarter eruption, Wilsonville earned its fourth state title in five tries with a 34-30 victory over Silverton at Gill Coliseum. The Wildcats, who have played in six consecutive finals, are five-time champions under Roche (2005, 2016-17, 2019, 2022).
“That’s the GOAT right there,” senior guard Enzo Chimienti said while nodding at his head coach. “It don’t get much better than him.”
Wilsonville rode stars Dakota Reber, Gabe Reichle, Zachary Rivers, Jack Roche — coach Roche’s son — and Keegan Shivers to the 2019 title. Reber, Reichle and Shivers were all back the following season when the tournament was abruptly canceled due to COVID-19.
Two years later, the Wildcats finally got the opportunity to defend their crown.
“The last tournament ended with Crater, Silverton, Churchill and us,” wing Kallen Gutridge said. Wilsonville and Churchill were slated to play in the semifinals with the winner advancing to face Crater or Silverton.
“It’s a little ironic because we got to play every one of those teams at the tournament this year. I’m just glad that we got to put on for the class of 2020. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Wilsonville’s 2020 senior class of Andrew Classen, Finlay Dunn and the three aforementioned stars didn’t get the chance to close their careers with titles. Neither did the class of 2021, a group that left an impression on Chimienti.
“I remember last year, we still wanted to win every game, but it kind of felt like we were playing for nothing at times,” Chimienti said.
“The seniors that worked so hard last year in Cason (Dougall), Riley (Scanlan), Hayden (Nichols) and Rowan (Bush), seeing them all here today supporting us, it means the world to me. We’re doing it for them, doing it for everybody who couldn’t do it the last couple years because of COVID.”
On a day when every basket counted, Chimienti made 6 of his 8 field goal attempts and finished with a game-high 15 points. Chimienti, who also had four rebounds, always seemed to deliver when Wilsonville needed a spark.
“I’m so proud of that kid,” Gutridge said. “A couple years ago, he was splitting his time between JV2 and JV. He worked all of quarantine to get his game right. He grew a little bit, got stronger and came out here today and was the man.”
Senior point guard Jordan McCarty had 11 points and three assists to lead the Foxes, who edged Wilsonville 33-32 for their lone state title in 2015.
Silverton turned it over just six times to Wilsonville’s 14 but shot 10 of 36 overall and 3 of 13 from beyond the arc. McCarty was 2 of 13 from the field and sharpshooter Neil Efimov made his only triple of the game in the closing seconds.
“I thought we had some really good looks in the second half, four or five point-blank lay-ins and they didn’t go,” Silverton head coach Jamie McCarty said. “And that’s the difference.”
Silverton (23-6) scored on its first three possessions, going up 7-2 early on a Ryan Redman-Brown three off a kick-out pass from McCarty. Redman-Brown scored the only points of the second quarter — a long two 62 seconds into the period — as the undersized Foxes rode their smothering defense to an 11-6 halftime lead.
Dealing with pesky Silverton hands on nearly every dribble and pass, Wilsonville (27-2) shot 2 of 9 from the field in the first half with nine turnovers. Joseph Haugen provided a fitting end to the first 16 minutes of play by flying in to swat a Tristan Davis corner three-point attempt out of bounds.
“I think you had two pretty dang-good defensive teams out there,” coach McCarty said. “I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a team of mine playing such a great first half (defensively), holding them to six points. We just frustrated them and I thought we had a lot of good things going.”
Added Chimienti: “They are a great defensive team, credit to them. We just had to tough through it, play our game, be confident and play strong.”
Gutridge converted two free throws with 7:11 remaining in the third quarter, Wilsonville’s first points since the 1:39 mark of the first. The sophomore then had a transition layup after blocking a shot on defense to make it a one-point game, and Maxim Wu rattled in a three to give the Wildcats their first lead at 17-15.
Chimienti knocked down another triple later in the period as Wilsonville took a 23-17 lead to the fourth. The Wildcats’ 17 third-quarter points matched their total from the first, second and fourth combined.
McCarty connected on a three to make it 25-21 with 5:37 to go, but Wilsonville put it away with consecutive baskets in the paint from Davis, Logan Thebiay and Chimienti. Wilsonville made enough free throws down the stretch to stave off a late flurry of Silverton points.
It was a disappointing end to a special season for the Foxes, who had four players — including McCarty — from the school’s 2021 state championship football team.
“They are the best leaders I’ve ever coached,” coach McCarty said of the senior class. “There are nine of them and they brought it every single day. They loved each other, they cared for each other. It was more about team than any individual in our locker room, and I feel like that’s what got us here.”
Wilsonville will lose three seniors to graduation: Kellen Hartford, Chimienti and Thebiay. The rest of the Wildcats will be gearing up for another state title push next winter.
“Winning this feels amazing,” Chimienti said. “It’s always been a dream of mine since I started playing basketball to achieve something like this. It’s a part of our history, but every year we’ve got to go do it again. Every year teams are looking to beat us, and we just want to keep going.”
