La Salle boys basketball has started their season with an overall record of 3-9 and a league record of 2-3. Their overall OSAA ranking is #19 as they strive to work their way up.

Over the Christmas break they played an out of league game against Hood River Valley and won 64-56. The rest of the games were a mix of highly ranked 5A and 6A teams in which they took three losses in the Oregon Holiday Hoopfest.

Last Wednesday, January 6th, the boys jumped up four spots to #3 in the Northwest Oregon Conference after beating ranked #9 Hillsboro. However, they were knocked down to #5 after losing to Liberty on January 8 who is currently ranked second. After they ended with a loss against #4 ranked Parkrose, they became #6.

On Friday January 15th they play away against #17 ranked Hermiston, which will provide tough competition for the Falcons.

New head coach John Spitulski has high hopes to qualify for the state playoffs and make it further than the previous year in which they unfortunately lost in the first round.

“Each day our goal is to get better as a team,” he said. “We are making progress and hope to continue to improve.”

Spitulski is also hopeful about the changes he has already seen in the players. “The team is beginning to understand what it takes to be competitive in every game,” he said. “It does take time to implement a new system, and the team is determined to become more proficient each day with their focus, determination and hard work.”

Ange Toku, a junior and one of the team’s starters, says that “the season has helped everyone on the team grow up and understand what it takes to be successful.” 

“Becoming comfortable with a new coach along with a new system” is what the team has primarily been working on, he said.

“I just want to ask people to come out and support the basketball programs as much as possible because it helps us when we see fans at our games,” Toku said.

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Make sure to come and show your Falcon spirit by supporting the boys this season!

Check out the Falconer’s sports page for a list of upcoming games: https://lasallefalconer.com/sports-scores/