![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
Boys Basketball team vies for fourth straight state title
After winning three straight OSAA State Championships, West Linn’s (1-0, 0-0 Three Rivers League) boys varsity basketball team prepares for another season, potentially tying the record of four state championships in a row. Jesuit holds the current record of four straight state championships from 2009 through 2012.
“I’m really excited about this season,” Eric Viuhkola, Head Coach, said. “We have eight out of nine guys back. All of them have worked hard in the offseason and are extremely talented.”
Viuhkola doesn’t feel any pressure about winning four straight State championships.
“We don’t ever use the term ‘four peat’ or talk about the championship,” Viuhkola said. “We just focus on doing our best.”
“We try not to think about it,” Will Mathiessen, senior small forward, said. “We don’t feel too much pressure.”
Compared to other teams he has coached, Viuhkola is most excited about the current team. The Lions are participating in the City of Palms Classic tournament Dec. 18 in Southwest Florida. However, before the week long tournament, they faced Wilsonville on Friday.
“The whole team is excited,” Mathiessen said. “We haven’t played much yet.”
Mathiessen hopes to win the Les Schwab Bowl or the City of Palms Tournament. After defeating Wilsonville (1-1, 0-0 Northwest Oregon Conference) 72-56, the Lions prepare for their first tournament held at Liberty High school.
Your donation will support the student journalists of West Linn High School. Your contribution will allow us to continue to produce quality content by purchasing equipment, software, and continuing to host our website on School Newspapers Online (SNO).
While most of West Linn High School spent their summers sleeping in until noon, Connor Whitbey, junior, was awake at 5a.m. every morning for his job. Working...
"Yearbook, which is kind of my life,” Jess Reynolds, 12 said when I asked her about her extracurriculars. She has lots of responsibility in yearbook,...
