By Amanda Perkins
In his first year as head coach of the Salem Tigers, Conrad Prugh led the team to a 16-11 season and a second place finish in the SCA Conference. The Tigers ended their season against Helias Catholic in the district semifinal round, and Helias went on to reach the state final four.
Upon graduation, Salem lost their headliner, guard Kobe Mead, who now plays basketball at NAIA Ottawa University. He was named first team all-conference and all-region, averaging 19 points per game. According to Prugh, the team will miss not only his points, but his leadership and defensive skills.
“He led the team in rebounds with 6 a game and averaged 3.5 steals per game. Finding someone to replace those hustle stats that are extra possessions will be difficult.”
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Antonio Quick was a dynamic player and another defensive force, as well as a play-creator and spark to the offense. Averaging 13 points per game last season, he now plays football at Evangel. The Tigers also lose forward Kyle Hemken and guard Cameron Howard.
The team welcomes back a host of seniors and experienced players who will be charged with filling the void.
Senior Logan Woolf earned honorable mention all-conference honors last year. He is effective at shot blocking as well as shot creation and yanked down four rebounds and added 8.6 points per game. A 6’3” force, he is skilled at creating mismatches and is a great all-around player.
Point guard Eric Wood “handles the ball extremely well, is a solid defender, and an above-average shooter,” according to Prugh. The senior’s averages from last season included 2.8 assists and 5 points per game.
At 6’5” Jacob Happel, senior, is the athletic big man for the team, but he runs the floor well in addition to shot blocking. “How aggressive he is in the post will be the difference in several games this year,” said Prugh. He averaged 7.4 points per game and 4 rebounds last year.
Eli Floyd is a senior who can “guard any position on the floor and make any shot difficult for whomever he is guarding,” said Prugh. “He loves to run the floor and finish around the rim.”
Another senior, Dalton Cook is a shooting guard who played out of position last year, backing up Eric Wood in the one spot. “He is much more effective off the ball, being able to catch and shoot,” said Prugh. “He’s a smart defender who gets a lot of steals.”
New faces to the team include senior Dillon Broyles, who played at Salem his freshman year, moved to Arizona, and returned late last year. He is expected to back up Wood at the point and is a skilled shooter, ball handler, and play-maker. Junior Lawson Toman, 6’1,” will come off the bench as a perimeter threat and rebounder. Cody Rictor is a junior post player who can also shoot from the outside. Junior Nate Bray rounds out the team as a player who is able to compete as a shooting or point guard. Prugh praised his defensive skill, active hands, and ability to force turnovers and create and hit shots.
“This year’s team will be all about offensive balance and defensive rebounding,” said Prugh.
