Sprague boys basketball could have the MVC’s next superstar — 6-foot-10 Dallon Morgan

Here’s our look at the Sprague Olympians boys of the Class 6A Mountain Valley 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 Sprague Olympians boys of the Class 6A Mountain Valley Conference.

Dallon Morgan photo by Taylor Balkom

SPRAGUE TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Jordan Graneto, third season (26-23)

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 11-13

League record: 7-7, tied for fourth in MVC

Playoffs: None

ALL-LEAGUE PLAYERS DEPARTED

G Kobe Withers, defensive player of the year

G Mason Lomax, first team

G Greyson Salinas, honorable mention

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Dallon Morgan, Jr., 6-10

A second-team all-MVC selection last season, Morgan showed a deft touch around the rim, averaging 13 points while shooting 67 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free throw line. He averaged seven rebounds per game and was a strong rim protector for the Olympians. “We need Dallon to take the next step into being an elite player if we are going to be a really good team this year and next,” Graneto said. 

F Camden McGath, Sr., 6-3

McGath will be a three-year starter. He led Sprague in plus-minus last season as the team’s best all-around defender — even better than MVC defensive player of the year Kobe Withers. He shot 55 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range. “He is a good catch-and-shoot perimeter shooter and can finish well from around the hoop,” Graneto said. 

W Hayden Cadwallader, Sr., 6-6

Cadwallader was the Olympians’ top three-point threat a season ago, hitting around 43 percent from beyond the arc, and he puts his length to good use as a rebounder. “If we are going to be good, Hayden has to be a major factor for us,” Graneto said. 

G Emerson Long, Jr., 5-10

Long was one of two swing players from the JV team last season. He will play full-time on the varsity this spring. Graneto called him “probably our best on-ball defender for the next two years.” He’ll provide another three-point option beside Morgan and McGath. 

F Toby Fleming, Jr., 6-4

Another swing player who received spot minutes on varsity during league play, Fleming led the JV team in rebounds last season. He has worked in the offseason on becoming a catch-and-shoot three-point threat. “Toby is a heady player, a really good passer,” Graneto said. “We need Toby to be an impact this year on both ends of the floor and on the boards if we are going to reach our goals.”

OUTLOOK

Sprague last season struggled with injuries during league play and narrowly missed a state playoff berth. With Withers (13 points per game, team leader in steals) off to play at Chemeketa and Lomax (13 points per game) now at Lane, they have turned to Morgan, who has a chance to be an elite talent, to lead the show. 

“He was really good as a sophomore, but there is another gear that his game could achieve in the next two seasons,” Graneto said.

For the Olympians to have success this spring in a Salem-based league, they can’t be a one-player show — they’ll need a dependable second scorer to emerge. Maybe it’ll be three-year starter McGath, who wasn’t asked to score last season while focusing on defense.

Graneto plans to have three guards move up from the JV team to take on key roles. Sprague has only three seniors on the roster.

Junior Ryder Skogstad (6-0) moves up to take over at point guard, where he started on the JV last winter, while 6-2 junior David Smith was one of the JV team’s top three-point shooters.

“Ryder needs to take a step up if we are going to be good,” Graneto said. “And we need to rely on David to space the floor, take care of the ball, and play both ends of the floor.” 

Graneto, though, is highest on 6-1 sophomore Drew Rodriguez, believing “he has the chance to be an elite defender the next three years with his strength, athleticism and lateral quickness.”

COACH SAID 

“Our guys coming up from JV have to develop fast and be ready to play. We have to be better defensively and move the ball better. It really depends on if Dallon can be dominant and if the JV guys from last year are ready to perform at a high level.” — Jordan Graneto

MORE TEAM PREVIEWS