By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

WOODBURN, Ore.–  When Anthony Figueredo caught Cruz Veliz’ pass and laid up the game-winning shot with six seconds left in the game against West Albany on February 2, it was a surreal experience for the incoming Woodburn junior.

“It felt like a miracle.  We were down by like ten in the fourth quarter, people’s feelings were low.  People thought we were going to lose the game, but we just kept working hard on defense and getting shots to fall,” Figueredo said of the game.  “Cruz made the extra effort to dive on the floor and get the ball to hand it to me for the game-winning lay-up.  All credit to Cruz  for that hustle play.”

For Figueredo, the sport has brought him a lot.  The friendships that it has built for the incoming junior, the camaraderie points Figueredo.  And it was those friendships that made them brothers away from their own families that had helped the Bulldogs finish third in 5A.  

And yet they graduate some big seniors like Brody Hawley and Liam Slattum, they’ll look to rely on that friendship and togetherness they’ve built from last season once more.  Sharpening them once more knowing that they lost some major seniors like Brody Hawley and Liam Slattum and needing to fill those shoes.  That’s where Summer Ball comes in.

Through two tournaments, roughly about eight games to this point, the Bulldogs are sitting about .500 as they try different things with who’s returning amongst the chaos that is the Summer Basketball season. 

They are embracing the grind going through Summer with roles being re-established and working hard in those adjustments.

“We have great chemistry, all we need is chemistry and guys who like each other outside of basketball and we’ll be unstoppable.  That’s how we were last year,” Figueredo said.  “Summer ball is a really important piece.  After we lost Liam, our big guy in the paint, we got to use these games in Summer Ball and Fall Ball to adjust without him in the paint.  We got to play a summer lineup.  We just have to adjust and work even harder.”

“It’s been a challenge so far.  You’re losing two starters, two of our best players are tough.  Everyone’s trying to figure out our roles because everyone’s roles are going to change going into next year,” adds Cruz.  “But it’s fun.  All of us…we’re best friends, we’re hanging out every day so it’s going to be good.  It’s going to be fun.”

For Cruz, who surpassed 1,000-career points this past season, he admits that he didn’t realize it until his father, Raul, and Jed Tai from PrepHoops Oregon calculated the number of points he scored.  Pretty impressive considering Cruz is naturally a Pass First point guard.

“I didn’t really realize it because I’m not going out here scoring 30 points a game, I’m more of a pass first guy and the scoring comes second.  It was kind of crazy.  My dad and Jed Tai, they went in and figured it out and realized that I passed a thousand.  It was pretty cool,” Veliz said.  “Ever since I’ve been a kid it’s been: Basketball, Basketball, Basketball and I love it.  I love the grind of it and that’s the most important thing, I love practicing more than I do playing the game.  It means everything.”

Summer Ball continues through the end of the month, with the basketball season kicking off December 13 when they host Gresham.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald