North Valley girls basketball is the Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Courtesy photo
That rumbling heard around Grants Pass is at the
North Valley gymnasium where the girls basketball team holds court.
Mikala Mohr, North Valley
Courtesy photo
The Knights, under third year coach Ken Lathen, are off to a 3-0 start, which is monumental in its own right. But with an influx of freshmen and sophomore talent, this program is on the verge of exploding.
North Valley hasn't had a winning season in — well no one seems to remember. Last season the Knights were 11-16 and the season before that 9-16. And before that 5-20, 6-18, 9-14, 6-14, 5-13 and 8-12.
This is a really big deal and it appears to only be getting better.
"This would be the first winning season in many, many years," Lathen said. "This would set the stage for a run of talent that is on the horizon."
For their fast start and turnaround, the Knights are the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
North Valley opened with a 45-40 win over Illinois Valley, followed by wins over South Umpqua (69-40) and Sweet Home (39-24).
The team's leading scorers are
Mikala Mohr (18.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game) and
Aaliyah Hall (11.3 ppg). No one else averages more than the 5.7 points put up by freshman
Haley Kersten.
Lacy Banuelos, North Valley
Courtesy photo
The 14-person roster is made up of three seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and six freshmen.
Of Mohr, a four-year starter, Lathen said: "She plays hard, has good fundamentals, lots of experience, is a great leader and possesses great character and integrity."
Lathen said the team's fundamentals are much better than they've been in the past.
"They are light years ahead of that first team we had two years ago," he said.
He also said he's most pleased with the play of freshmen
Bailey Thompson and Kersten, sophomore
Amanda Stewart and senior
Tristin Vandehey, a senior who didn't play last season.
As good as the Knights have started, they still need improvement, Lathen added.
"In virtually every area," he said. "Offensive execution, defensive intensity and consistency throughout the games."
