They go 36-6, beating a number of big-school opponents

La Salle Prep boys basketball coach Jared Curtiss says he is excited about his Falcons’ prospects next winter, after their showing this summer.

“We finished 36-6....,” Curtiss said. “I think we have the potential to earn a trophy at Gill with our improved shooting, and a better understanding of our fast-paced system. Last summer was an introduction, and this summer it has been refinement, and the guys are really flying high.”

Curtiss said his Falcons defeated several Oregon Class 6A and 5A teams over the summer, including: Centennial, Reynolds, David Douglas, Barlow, Clackamas, Rex Putnam, South Albany, West Albany, Summit and Sandy.

The Falcons won the Spokane HUB Tournament July 19-21, with their varsity defeating Burlington-Edison twice, as well as Lake Stevens and the Spokane Elite Rim Rattlers.

They went 13-0 at the Bend Team Camp at Summit High School. Class 5A Summit and South Albany were among the teams they defeated.

They finished second at the Oregon State Camp Tournament, losing to 5A power West Albany in overtime, 54-52.

At the War of the Border Tournament in Longview, they defeated Spokane’s Eisenhower, Auburn-Riverside and Kelso, going 3-2 against big schools from Washington.

“Losing Daniel Lashbaugh, Sam Davis, and Justin Stangel [to graduation] is a hurt, but I really feel that we are going to be much stronger this coming season,” Curtiss said.

“Jacob McGraw missed some time playing with his AAU team, but in his absence we went 10-2.

“Sean Hays, our 6-8 post, has really played at a high level. He dominated many games on both sides of the court.

“Like a lot of teams, we were missing a lot of key ingredients, but it afforded us a chance to play everyone and get some much-needed chemistry.

“Ian Johnson, an incoming senior point guard [reserve last year], showed great improvement, as well as incoming sophomores Keeston Smith (6-4) and Brandon Falk (6-4).”