PHS Boys Basketball Preview 2021

The Portland Boys’ Varsity Basketball team is looking to return to their winning ways, heading into a new year. Despite the multiple cancellations, lack of practice, and the chance of there not being a season in general, the Raiders believe they can reassert themselves into a conference contender and a productive team.

Head Coach, Jason Goerge is heading into his second season as the head coach of this Raiders program. His main focus this season is creating a mentality where kids believe in Portland basketball and trust the process.

“It’s not going to be an overnight fix that’s for sure, and this whole pandemic is not helping matters, but as long as we keep improving in player development and hopefully winning more games every year things will hopefully fall into place. The biggest thing is we must have is kids buying into basketball, and trusting basketball can be a winning program in Portland like the other sports”, said Goerge.

Even throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, the team remains ready for the season, whenever it starts. Senior Guard, Luke Nobis credits the Raider’s preparation to the team’s desire to play competitively over the summer.

“Over the summer we would play competitively a couple times a week, and that helped build a good bond with everyone”, stated Nobis

The Raiders will look to their leadership and hunger to win games to become a winning team this season. Offensively they’ll rely on Junior Guard, Trent Meyers and Senior Forward, Grant Ruddy for the majority of their scoring load, but they’ll also need others to step up to relieve some of that pressure. They have significant depth heading into the season with 15 players on their roster. Head Coach, Jason Goerge believes defense is the solution to Portland becoming a league threat yet again.

“The most important thing with me as a coach is being a good defensive team. That’s what my team will hear me get on them the most about throughout the year is if they aren’t playing good hard defense or in proper positioning. We need to play with more GRIT than we did last year as well. I think this will be a team that will buy into that side of the court and what it takes to be a good defensive team”, said Coach Goerge.

With the league remaining quite competitive, the Raiders want to be in close games. The team felt as if a few games escalated too quickly last season, and being within striking distance in the 4th quarter gives them an opportunity to win much more.

Portland is heading into the season with the same goal, to grow as a team and improve upon recent seasons.

“It isn’t about me, it’s about building a basketball community”, stated Nobis.

The Raiders open up the 2021 season on Saturday, January 23, at Fowler.