Tim Ehlers takes over a Sunset girls basketball program in transition: ‘We are installing new ideas, philosophies and attitudes’

Here’s our look at the Sunset Apollos girls of the Class 6A Metro League.

By René Ferrán

Over the next two weeks, SBLive Oregon will break down more than 100 Oregon high school basketball teams. Here’s our look at the Sunset Apollos girls of the Class 6A Metro League.

Haley Bennett photo by Ken Waz

SUNSET TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Tim Ehlers, first season at Sunset (8-15 overall)

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 5-19

League record: 2-10, sixth in Metro

Playoffs: None

ALL-LEAGUE PLAYERS DEPARTED

None

PLAYERS TO WATCH

P/W Maddie Dobson, Sr., 5-10

A four-year varsity player for the Apollos, she’ll be counted upon to be a leader this season. “She is a good shooter in the mid-range and can hit the three,” Ehlers said. 

W Parris Stark, Sr., 5-10

Stark is entering her third season on the varsity team, and like Dobson, she’ll be seen as a leader with an inexperienced crew around her. 

P Lucy Allen, So., 6-2

Allen received a crash course in playing the post at the varsity level as a freshman, going up against the likes of all-state post players Laura Erikson of Beaverton and Cameron Brink of Mountainside. “She learned a lot from the experience and has been doing strong offseason workouts,” Ehlers said. “She will play a pivotal role in the development of Sunset women’s basketball.”

P/W Haley Bennett, Sr., 5-10

Bennett sat out last season but plans to return for her senior year. She will team with Allen to provide an inside presence for the Apollos. “She has good length as a rebounder and shot blocker,” Ehlers said. “She’s an inside worker who will work well with Lucy.” 

W Maggie Guse, Jr., 5-10

Guse is another player who is returning after taking a year off from the sport. Ehlers calls her “a strong shooter from all around the court who sees the court well.” 

G Medina Catovic, Sr., 5-4

Catovic swung between the JV and varsity teams last season. She is a weapon from beyond the three-point arc and a solid ball-handler. 

G Kennedy Hutton, Jr.

Hutton moves up from playing point guard at the JV level to take over the role on the varsity. She is one of two juniors (along with Guse) who have been consistent presences at open gyms this spring. 

OUTLOOK

Ehlers takes over for Clay Atkins, who went 11-37 in two seasons heading up the Apollos program. Ehlers was the head coach at Dallas for one season (2017-18) before joining the West Salem staff for the past two seasons after getting a permanent teaching position in the district.

He takes over a program in transition. Ehlers estimated that nearly two-thirds of his active players during offseason workouts were freshmen or sophomores.

“There are a lot of questions to answer this year, and it will be interesting since it is in the spring and will be short,” Ehlers said. “As with some other programs, we are hoping that most of the returners will be coming back.”

He has a couple of experienced seniors in Dobson and Stark that he hopes will help guide the newcomers during their transition to the varsity team. Allen was the first of the talented youngsters to make an impact last season.

His goals this spring include improving the overall winning percentage from the past three seasons, during which the Apollos went 19-54 (.260), and becoming more competitive in every game. Their average margin of defeat last season was 35.2 points, with their closest loss by 12.

COACH SAID 

“We are installing new ideas, philosophies and attitudes to make Sunset a strong program year after year. We want to control the tempo and push on offense when we can to keep the ball moving. We need to trust the process and understand we are working to create a new environment. We as a basketball family must support each other and understand we have to learn from our mistakes and grow from them to make improvements. The seniors will be the leaders on this.” — Tim Ehlers

MORE TEAM PREVIEWS