Preview: Roseburg boys break-in new players in 63-48 season-opening loss at McMinnville
McMINNVILLE — There were only two returning starters who took the floor as the starting lineup was announced for the Roseburg boys basketball team in its season opener against the McMinnville Grizzlies on Wednesday.
The Indians are putting the pieces together after significant turnover from last season and will be breaking in a lot of new faces as they make their way through the nonconference portion of their schedule in December.
“We’ve got some new names,” sixth-year head coach Jordan Humphreys said prior to tipoff Wednesday. “Guys that have put in a lot of time in the offseason, been in the gym a lot, hungry and want to be here.”
Things didn’t go as planned for Roseburg (0-1) in a 63-48 loss against McMinnville. The Grizzlies hit nine 3-point field goals and took advantage of 11 Roseburg turnovers.
“Proud of the way the guys played. Some guys played some big, big minutes and they kept fighting to the end. And that’s what we ask of all of our teams, making sure we’re going to work all the way to the end,” Humphreys said.
Seniors Owen Bentea and Kaden Luther bring back the most experience from last year and Humphreys said they have provided leadership early on.
“They’ve been here and they know what to expect,” Humphreys said. “So we’ve leaned on them a lot to teach the other guys and help them along and get them prepared. It’s always nice to have a couple solid returners.”
Bentea led the Indians with 26 points, matching his season high from his junior year when he played in 24 games. Luther, who played in all 25 games last year, provided a strong presence inside for the Indians and finished with five points and four rebounds.
Landon Fanugao is the only other returner to play in more than one game last year. The senior provided nine rebounds and three assists, both team highs against McMinnville (1-0).
Jaron Leeworthy and Harrison Scott will lead the group of new faces that will be tasked with filling in the gaps. Scott was Roseburg’s second-leading scorer in the opener with 10 points and four rebounds.
The Tribe started strong out of the gate and led 21-20 after the first quarter, but an 11-2 run to begin the second quarter helped McMinnville take a 41-30 lead into halftime.
Roseburg made a few runs in the second half, but didn’t get enough shots to drop to stay competitive. The Grizzlies led by as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter.
“We know it’s not going to be a perfect game. We know we’ve got some adjusting to do. That’s why it’s a whole season and not just a one-game season,” Humphreys said. “The fact that the guys are acknowledging the mistakes that they’re making and saying ‘oh we talked about that and I didn’t do it’ is big. I’m proud of that acknowledgement.”
The Indians will have a number of chances to work out the kinks prior to the start of Southwest Conference play in January. Roseburg will host South Salem at 6:45 p.m. Friday at Robertson Memorial Gym.
ROSEBURG (48) — Owen Bentea 26, Scott 10, Fanugao 5, Luther 5, Leeworthy 2, Cantrell, Frabel, Palm. Totals 12 17-25 48.
MCMINNVILLE (63) — Brayden Mix 12, Herrick 11, Franks 9, Ferrua 7, Sullivan 7, Long 7, Merlier 4, Neuschwanger 3, Cano 3. Totals 25 4-10 63.
Roseburg 21 9 10 8 — 48
McMinnville 20 21 9 13 — 63
3-Point Goals — Rose. 7 (Bentea 4, Scott 2, Fanugao 1), McMinn. 9 (Herrick 3, K. Long 2, Sullivan 1, Cano 1, Mix 1, Neuschwanger 1). Total Fouls — Rose. 7, McMinn. 17.
JV Score — McMinnville 55, Roseburg 15.
Frosh Score — Roseburg 47, McMinnville 46.
