Wilsonville Wildcats

Cats down Canby 63-55;

first NWOC team to go 16-0

WILSONVILLE, OR - Monday, 2/26/24 - It was another historic night for the Wilsonville Wildcats on Monday night in Wildcat Gymnasium.

The first matter of business was taking care of business against a good Canby team in the team's final NWOC game for the 2023-2024 season.  Led by senior guard Kallen Gutridge's 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, and a spectacular performance by junior post Emmitt Fee, who had 21 points and 8 rebounds on 10 of 11 shooting from the field, Wilsonville defeated the Cougars, 63-55 to win the Northwest Oregon Conference.  

With the win, the Wildcats 17th in a row on the season, the Cats ran their overall record on the season to 22-3 and NWOC record to 16-0.  It was not the first time WHS went undefeated in league - the Cats won a boys basketball record 77-straight conference games at one point -  but it was the firt time any team in NWOC history went unblemished against a 16-game schedule with the conference expanded to 9 teams.  

"It's great to win the league, anytime and any way," said Wilsonville Coach Chris Roche, "but to go undefeated, in a 16-game schedule, and with Kyle (Counts) out the majority of the season... in a league this good and this competitive... Well, it's impressive.  I give all our kids credit, but especially our seniors, who have been great leaders throughout this season."

Senior wing Nick Colyer chipped in 12 points and senior post Ezra Carter 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the Cats.

Up next for the Cats will be a state tournament Sweet 16 game against 15th-ranked Central on Friday, March 1.  The Wildcats expect to have a rested Counts back for that game.  "We're excited about that," said Roche. "He makes us bigger, more skilled, deeper and better... He's one of the best players in the state, and we're not sure how much he will be able to play, but we're ready and excited to have him available against a really tough and athletic team in Central.  And I'm so proud of all of our other guys for 'holding down the fort' and finishing off the goal of winning the league without him able to play for the last 10 games.  It's been a great team effort, with contributions from many.

"Now we'll show up Friday and let it rip."