By Jeremy Mcdonald

Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club honored West Salem’s Lizzy Bennett and Mady Diaz, Sprague’s Liam Spencer and Salem Academy’s Jackson Oglesby as their Senior Basketball Athletes of the Year

Here’s the Press Release:

Senior Athletes of the Year – Boys and Girls Basketball

March 17, 2023


The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Senior Athlete of the Year for Girls Basketball, from West Salem, is Lizzy Bennett.

Lizzy played guard and forward for the Titans. A huge inside presence, Lizzy shot over 55% from the field and 81% from the line. For the season she averaged 16 points, 5½ boards, 1½ assists, and 2 steals per game. Lizzy also joined the Titan 1000 career point club with 1309 total points and was the Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior and was co-Player of the Year in the Central Valley Conference this season.

West Salem finished 22-7 overall and went an undefeated 12-0 in league. After playoff wins over Tigard at home and Grants Pass on the road, the Titans qualified for the quarter finals held at the Chiles Center on the campus of the University of Portland. The Titans went 1-2 at UP, ultimately placing 6th at the State Tournament.

Lizzy was a two-time SSBC Athlete of the Week.

Senior Athletes of the Year are sponsored by Gatti and Gatti Law Firm.

SSBC + skbeacons.com

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The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Senior Athlete of the Year for Girls Basketball, from West Salem, is Mady Diaz.

Mady played guard for the Titans. The team’s perimeter leader, Mady shot 40% from behind the arc and 45% from the field. For the season she averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1½ steals per game. Mady earned co-Central Valley Conference Player of the Year honors this season.

West Salem finished 22-7 overall and went an undefeated 12-0 in league. After playoff wins over Tigard at home and Grants Pass on the road, the Titans qualified for the quarter finals held at the Chiles Center on the campus of the University of Portland. The Titans went 1-2 at UP, ultimately placing 6th at the State Tournament.

Senior Athletes of the Year are sponsored by Gatti and Gatti Law Firm.

SSBC + skbeacons.com

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The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Senior Athlete of the Year for Boys Basketball, from Sprague, is Liam Spencer.

Liam, a team captain, played guard for the Olys who finished with a 12-13 record. He averaged 19 points per game this season, shooting 45% from beyond the arc, and 50% from within. Liam also set a few Sprague records this season including most 3-pointers with 91, best percentage, and most 3’s in a game with 8, in the senior night 65-56 win over South.

Liam was the co-Player of the Year in the Central Valley Conference.

Liam was an SSBC Athlete of the Week earlier this season.

Senior Athletes of the Year are sponsored by Gatti and Gatti Law Firm.

SSBC + skbeacons.com

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The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Senior Athlete of the Year for Boys Basketball, from Salem Academy, is Jackson Oglesby.

Jackson helped lead the Crusaders to a season record of 22-6, a 12-2 conference record, and the 2A OSAA state championship.

In conference play he averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. He dominated the boards, was a feared shot blocker and the anchor of the SA defense. Coach Ben Brown says, “Offensively Jackson brought a skill set not many players 6’8” possess. He can handle the ball, shoot from deep, and his footwork and touch around the rim are impressive. Jackson is very unselfish as a player, leading the team in assists, always finding the open shooter or cutter when being double and triple teamed!”

Jackson was named the Tri-River Conference Player of the Year.

Jackson was honored as an Athlete of the Week earlier this season.

Senior Athletes of the Year are sponsored by Gatti and Gatti Law Firm.

SSBC + skbeacons.com