Hillsboro boys basketball will push the pace during short spring season

Here’s our look at the Hillsboro Spartans boys of the Class 5A Northwest Oregon Conference.

By Dan Brood

Over the next two weeks, SBLive Oregon will break down more than 100 Oregon high school basketball teams. Here’s our look at the Hillsboro Spartans boys of the Class 5A Northwest Oregon Conference.

HILLSBORO TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Mark Ganter, third season (13-35)

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 7-17

Conference record: 2-12 (tied for seventh in NWOC)

Playoffs: None

ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYERS DEPARTED

PG Lane Smith, second team

P Nate Smith, third team

PLAYERS TO WATCH

W/P Logan Jackson, jr., 6-7

Jackson, in his third year as a starter, likely will lead the way for the Spartans this season. “He is probably the best player on the team,” Ganter said. “He definitely is our best returning shooter. He shoots the three and has good footwork down low. He’ll draw a lot of attention from defenses. He will play at the next level, somewhere. He is an excellent student.”

PG Elliot Hildner, sr., 5-9

Hildner takes over at point guard. “He has a high basketball IQ,” Ganter said. “He’s a very smart kid in the classroom. He likes to push the ball and shoots very well.”

W Saxton Troupe, fr., 6-0

Troupe has a chance to make an impact as a freshman. “He’s probably the best athlete in the program,” Ganter said. “He is long and has good speed and anticipation. He should be fun to watch in the next full season.”

OUTLOOK

The young, athletic Spartans will try to push the pace this season, as they are hoping to move up the Northwest Oregon Conference standings in the shortened slate.

“I think, in this short season, you’ll see us get up the court and shoot more than we have in the past,” Ganter said. “These kids are willing to, and want to, improve. Our team defense should be pretty good.”

Hillsboro also will try to make up for the lack of some size.

“We probably lack a dominant big man, someone to take some attention off of Logan,” Ganter said.

Still, the potential appears to be there for the Spartans.

“I think that if this were a regular season, we could contend for a playoff spot,” Ganter said.

COACH SAID

“The plan in this short season is to just get out and go. And play some pressure defense. I want to see how the underclassmen handle the pace. In the last couple of years, our defense has not been that bad. We just haven’t scored. Hopefully, that will change going into the next full season.” — Mark Ganter

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