Century boys basketball vows to ‘savor this opportunity’

Here’s our look at the Century Jaguars boys of the Class 6A Pacific Conference.

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 Century Jaguars boys of the Class 6A Pacific Conference.

Edy Essien photo by Taylor Balkom

CENTURY TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Scott Kellar, 23rd season at Century (373-335 overall; 293-283 at Century)

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 12-13

League record: 7-5, third in Pacific

Playoffs: Lost 76-43 to Jesuit in first round

ALL-LEAGUE PLAYERS DEPARTED

G Jospin Mugisha, first team

F Chance Sparks, honorable mention

PLAYERS TO WATCH

G Edy Essien, Sr., 6-0

Essien, a four-year varsity player, earned second-team all-Pacific honors last season, scoring 12 points per game while shooting 35 percent from beyond the three-point arc and averaging 2.6 rebounds. “Edy is one of the top three-point shooters in the state,” Kellar said. “Edy brings a leadership, effort and love of the game that is second to none. He has put the work in to have a great senior season.” 

G Kyle Hamnes, Jr., 5-9

Hamnes took over the starting point guard job as a sophomore and put up solid numbers — 9.1 points, 2.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds per game. He shot 40 percent from three-point range and received all-Pacific honorable mention. “Kyle is one of the quickest, most dynamic players in Oregon,” Kellar raved. “His ability to get in the key and make his teammates better will be key to any success this season.”

G Keallum Colburn, Sr., 6-1

Colburn helped Essien space the floor last season, shooting 38 percent from three-point range coming off the bench and averaging 6.8 points per game. “Keallum has a great feel for the game and is also one of our top passers,” Kellar said. “He will play a huge role this season.” 

G Axton Wongsomadi, So., 5-11

Wongsomadi is a top breakthrough candidate for the Jaguars after playing in 10 varsity games while swinging up from JV as a freshman. He made six three-pointers in 15 attempts during his limited action. “Axton is an exceptional three-point shooter who has worked very hard to get stronger and quicker over the past year,” Kellar said. 

OUTLOOK

Century last season returned to the playoffs after a three-year absence but now has to replace three three-year starters in Mugisha, Sparks and guard Ikin Chan.

The Jaguars have the personnel to run Kellar’s preferred style of pushing the ball, playing up-tempo and applying pressure on defense. They add several players who swung from JV to varsity last season, led by Wongsomadi, 6-0 junior guard Ejay Tugano (eight games) and 5-9 senior Zach Apperson (four games). 

Other newcomers include seniors Daunte Powell and Dylan Hepworth, junior Euan Granath, sophomores Elijah Garcia and Kaleb McKinley and freshman Jordan Johnson.

With the season likely to involve mostly games against conference rivals, Kellar sees Sherwood as the favorite with everyone else in “a mad scramble” for second place.

“Hopefully, we can be in the mix,” he said. 

COACH SAID 

“This season, we want to improve as much as we can in the short season and hopefully be competitive every night. We also want to truly appreciate getting to play the game of basketball each day — we saw how quickly life can change, and we want to savor this opportunity.” — Scott Kellar

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