It’s easy to look at the Tualatin boys basketball team and think of all the talent lost from a year ago, but the Timberwolves aren’t concerned with that.
There are still some familiar faces, as well as some newer faces, eager to show why Tualatin has become a perennial state title contender and a regular favorite in the Three Rivers League.
“I’m very optimistic,” Head Coach Bubba Lemon said. “We have a younger squad, but there’s a lot of talent, and there’s a lot of experience.”
The experience starts with star guard Jemai Lake, who is entering his junior season. As a freshman, he saw the floor a bit while Tualatin won its second straight state title game. Last year, he started as a sophomore with a senior-heavy lineup that lost in the state semifinals to eventual state champ Central Catholic.
“They call him ‘Coach ‘Mai,’” Lemon said. “He has embraced that role. They all look to him as the leader, the captain. They look to him as a coach. They look to him for everything. He does a great job of bringing people along.”
Lake knows that for the Timberwolves to keep up their postseason success, he has to get everyone involved.
“We are going to play as a team, play together, play as a family,” Lake said. “My goal is to not focus on myself and instead focus on the team first, and then it’ll come to me. I’m proud of passing the ball.”
One of the newest faces in Tualatin’s lineup is someone Lake will be passing the ball to plenty: his new running mate in the backcourt, Pat Vialva Jr. The sophomore is in his first year at Tualatin after transferring over from West Linn, where he was the lone freshman named to the All-Three Rivers League first team last season.
Vialva and Lake instantly formed one of the top guard duos in the state when they first stepped on the court together in Tualatin’s first game of the year, an 89-76 win against Lake City from Idaho.
“I love (Lake) to death,” Vialva said. “He’s a baller. If I’m not hitting my shots, I’ve got him to lean on and vice versa. Our connection is great right now, and we still have room to get better.”
Lemon said the two are already doing a good job looking for each other on offense.
With two young, quick guards leading the offense, Lemon also expects the Timberwolves to run this year. In their second game of the season, a 95-54 win against Seton Catholic from Wa., Tualatin was out in the open running constantly. Whether Seton Catholic made or missed a shot, the Timberwolves were pushing down the court in the opposite direction almost immediately.
“We have some young guys who like to run and I like to play fast,” Lemon said. “These guys love to play fast.”
Tualatin has two returning faces down low they will lean on heavily in seniors Nolan Keeney and Javier Diaz. Lemon said Keeney has a solid all-around game, and the team will look to his senior leadership throughout the season. Diaz is a tenacious rebounder who has shown deft touch on offense around the rim.
Another new face Lemon is excited about is senior wing Diogo Alves, who he said hit big three-pointers in Tualatin’s first two games.
“He’s a phenomenal shooter, but what people don’t realize is how good of a defender he is,” Lemon said. Diogo’s stat line isn’t going to always look like it has the most rebounds and steals, but he’s going to go exactly what we need him to do on defense. He’s just awesome.”
Lemon also shouted out sophomore Carter Lemon, his nephew. Carter Lemon saw the court a bit during his freshman year, but he is expected to see a lot more playing time this year as the sixth man and spot starter if needed.
Along with Alves, Lemon plays hounding defense and isn’t shy to pull up from deep on the offensive end. Lake said all five regular starters, along with Lemon off the bench, are going to be able to make an impact every game.
The tricky part for Lake now is building the camaraderie with all these different faces – whether new or old – to set them up for success as best he can.
“It’s a tough job, having the find everyone’s spots and everything,” Lake said. “It’s a tough job, especially when taking on pressure. I’ll get used to it, and we’re already finding out where everyone likes to be positioned.”
