Gresham girls basketball hopes to score more points in new gymnasium

By Dave Ball

Over the next two weeks, SBLive Oregon will break down more than 100 Oregon high school basketball teams. Here’s our look at the Gresham Gophers girls of the Class 6A Mt. Hood Conference.

Michael Leland photo by Ken Waz

GRESHAM TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Michael Leland, third season (4-47)

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 3-22

Conference record: 0-14, eighth in MHC

Playoffs: None

ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS DEPARTED

None

PLAYERS TO WATCH

G Andrea Goolyah, 5-6, sr.

“She’s a great athlete who gets up and down the floor quickly and has good basketball knowledge,” Leland said.

G Emily Goodwin, 5-2, sr.

“She provides great leadership,” Leland said. “She’s a positive person — someone who the girls look up to.”

G Aleena Baisden, 5-4, jr.

Baisden was the Gophers’ leading scorer last season at 7.1 points per game. “She can drive and get to the basket, plus she has some outside game as well,” Leland said.

OUTLOOK

The Gophers put together a three-game win streak over winter break last season, but those were their only victories of the season. Scoring was difficult for a Gresham squad that topped 30 points twice during the league campaign.

Leland teaches a free-flowing style of play with the goal being to force turnovers and score in transition.

“A lot of times teams can get mechanical and robotic. I want the girls to go out and play — to be athletic and instinctive,” Leland said.

The Gophers will break in their newly constructed gymnasium in their season opener Monday against Reynolds.

COACH SAID

“I always say you control the controllables. COVID has put a freeze on our youth program, so the big thing for me is to get the baby steps in motion to build momentum back into that.” — Michael Leland