Mixed results on 2019 Boys Hoops Campaign

"I know our boys are disappointed that we didn’t make one of the playoff spots," said Falcon's head basketball coach Nick Garman in and email.  "But I’m not disappointed in them at all."  Garman's enthusiasm on a 9-13 (3-7 in the 4A Sky-Em conference) was based on the Falcons previous year.  

"We were 0-10 in league the year before and we really only returned three kids off that team," Garman explained.  "So we started over in a way and finished 9-13 overall, a pretty dramatic improvement."

Starting Falcons' center, 6-7 Jacob Marr towers above Junction City opponents for a rebound in Elmira's game against the Tigers Tuesday, February 5 at Elmira High School.  Photo by Michelle Ossowski.

The 2019-20 version of the Falcons will move on without starting point guard Paul Ossowski, and loose some length with the graduations of Keegan Cook and Jaden Palmer.  Also moving on will be sixth man  Riley Chambers.

There is evidence that the progress made this season will not be a one season aberration.  Starters Christian Davis and Jacob Marr return this year.  Davis showed flashes of devastating offense but also had periods where his shot abandoned him.  Defensively he is long and aggressive.  Marr will be a junior and with a year of being a starter in the rugged Sky-Em conference, he will be ready to up his game which at times seemed unstoppable.  However, the 6-7 sophomore needed work defensively and sometimes struggled against offensively versatile centers.

Junior wing Christian Davis scores against two defenders in the Falcons' victory over the Vikings, Tuesday February 12.
Photo by Michelle Ossowski

Others playing a key role next year will be Gannon Harpole, 6-5 Cobyn Herbert, Mason Smart and Keaton Warner, as well as JV players Jacob Admire and Josiah Hernandez.

6-5 sophomore Cobyn Herbert battles two Siuslaw defenders for a rebound in the Falcons' 23 point blow out Tuesday February 12. Photo by Michelle Ossowski

The real revelation of the season was the ascension of Bryson Forsman during the last third of the season.  Not big or long, Forsman nonetheless became a vital scoring weapon for the Falcons down the stretch including a 25 point outburst in a victory against Junction City.  It will be interesting to see how coach Garman utilizes him next year.  Forsman's real contribution was an almost frenetic and fearless energy.  Smaller than most front liners, Forsman would courageously take forays into the paint, attacking the opponent's rim.  He also has a competent outside game to complement his aggression and, despite his size, he is a frustrating defender. 

Bryson Forsman shoots a three pointer off a screen by Riley Chambers in Elmira's big win over Siuslaw, Tuesday, February 12 at Elmira High School.  

"It probably seemed like Bryson did come out of nowhere," Garman commented.  "But that was mainly due to a lingering illness that kept him out of most of the first two weeks of the season. He then had to play catch-up in a couple of ways. One, he had to get in basketball shape and was two weeks behind in some ways and two, he had to learn our system and style of play as a transfer kid. He is an excellent penetrator, a decent three-point shooter and an above average pull-up jump shooter. He improved a lot defensively and is an excellent rebounder, especially for his size. He is a pretty tenacious kid. 

All this portends an even more successful season for Elmira Hoops in 2020.

Falcon Boys Make a Statement Against Siuslaw

At 5-13, no one is going to mistake the Siuslaw Vikings with the Golden State Warriors.  However, it was important for the Elmira Falcons basketball team to show that their resurrection from an 0-5 start wasn't a fluke and that with the second half of the conference schedule on tap, they still could find themselves in the upper tier of the 4A Sky-Em Conference.  The Falcons took a step in that direction by eventually dismantling hapless Siuslaw 70-44 at Elmira High School, Tuesday, January 22.

Elmira guard Bryson Forsman goes up to dunk on a breakway as the Falcons overwhelmed Siuslaw 70-44, Tuesday, January 22 at Elmira High School.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie.

On first glance of the statistics, Elmira's poor shooting under 40% would be a cause for concern.  However, the new strategy was clear: bombs away.  The Falcons chucked up a season high 66 shots, converting 26 of them.  Three players scored in double figures for the Falcons.  Jacob Marr who only scored 5 points in the first half, rebounded to finish with 16.

Christian Davis fires up a 12 foot jumper... one of his 14 shots on the night... in Elmira's 70-44 victory over Siuslaw, Tuesday, January 22 at Elmira High School.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie.

Keagan Cook and Christian Davis were the primary bombardiers though, firing up 27 shots between them and scoring 14 and 11 respectively.  Paul Ossowski chipped in 7 points and got to the line twice. 

6-6 Jacob Marr posts up for two of his 16 points in the Falcons 70-44 victory over Siuslaw, Tuesday January 22 at Elmira High School.  Photo by Kimberly Lillie.

The victory left the Falcons 7-9 (1-3 in conference play) going into a Friday night tilt on the road against 4th ranked Marshfield.  It is the first of three games on the road, including a non conference tilt with Crow, before starting the second half of the conference schedule.  A victory over the Pirates in Coos Bay would be a staggering, but not unrealistic, expectation for Head Coach Nick Garman's team.  Considering their start, and the quality of their improvement since the beginning of the year, the story is still yet to be written. 

Falcons Take Flight in Win over Philomath; Soar to #4 in 4A

For two consecutive weeks, the Elmira offense was predicated on a strong rushing game with Brady Nagel carrying the bulk of the offensive responsibility and Head Coach Justin Peeler keeping sophomore quarterback Cobyn Herbert on a gradual learning curve.  However, Philomath's strong defensive line necessitated that the young Falcon needed to leave the nest.  The results were profound.

With Nagel held to only 54 yards,  the 6-4 Herbert was loosed on the Philomath secondary,  throwing 3 touchdown passes, two to Bryson Forsman, while the Elmira defense forced 4 turnovers as the Falcons flew to an 18-7 victory over the previously undefeated Warriors.

Herbert was 15 for 26, 223 yards without an interception.

"We knew they were going to blitz a lot and force us to pass," Peeler explained in an email.  "It was nice to see the passing game be successful."

Quarterback Cobyn Herbert throws to a wide open Brady Nagel in the second quarter of the Falcons' 18-7 victory over Philomath, Friday September 14 at Swartz Field.  Photo:  Brad Fuqua/Philomath Express

While Forsman was the beneficiary of 2 scores, it was Rowdy Ramirez who joined Herbert in the coming out party for the Falcon passing attack.  Ramirez caught 7 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

"Rowdy had a great game and was excited for him," Peeler said.  "He is a very hard working player and I love to coach him."

While the passing offense was thrilling for Falcon fans, it was the defense that carried the day.  Against a very effective offensive line that ground out 192 physical yards, the defense used timely turnovers and an epic goal line stand at the end of the first half to win the day.  Elmira registered three fumble recoveries, an interception by Bryce Sawyer, and three sacks on the night.

Gavin Parker hits Philomath quarterback Calvin Snuggerud during the Falcons' 18-7 win over the Warriors, Friday September 14 at Swartz Field.  Photo:  Brad Fuqua/Philomath Express

With Philomath trailing 12-7 late in the second quarter, the Warriors drove the ball to the Falcons' 5 yard line.  There with 4 opportunities, Elmira's defense bowed its back and held the visitors out of the end zone, the fourth down attempt coming with only 5 seconds remaining in the half.  The Falcons scored on the opening drive of the second half and controlled the game from that point forward. 

"The defense was amazing last night," praised Peeler.  "We rallied to the ball very well.  We did get tired, but they really pushed through and got the job done.  They wanted the win and they took it away from them."

Elmira's Bryce Sawyer steps in front of Philomath's Brooks Stearns for
an interception in the fourth quarter of the Falcons' 18-7 win, Friday September 14 at Swartz Field.
 Photo: Brad Fuqua/Philomath Express

Elmira finds themselves in rarefied air, ranked 4th in 4A by the OSAA ahead of Cottage Grove, Marshfield and Marist Catholic.  The league schedule begins next Friday night, September 21 at Swartz Field as the Falcons host Marist, who find themselves on a two game losing streak.  Both Marshfield and Cottage Grove have also absorbed losses this year. 

"Now the grind starts," Peeler opined.  "I am feeling better about going into these games with some good tests.  In years past, our non-league has been very weak.  Marist is tough, but they are on a losing streak right now.  We need to jump on them early and get their confidence down.  Cottage Grove loss was a shocker.  We will see how they are.  They have a lot of new faces, but are well coached."