BOYS
Coach: Chad Gehrke
21-22 Record: 10-13

There’s a new motto circulating around the basketball program this year at Sallisaw. ‘Don’t just be involved-be invested’. “We’ve had teams full of involved kids at Sallisaw which isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” said coach Chad Gehrke. “But this year and for years to come we want them to become invested players that are “all in” with basketball.” The Black Diamonds are anchored by three seniors that are stepping up and becoming invested by accepting a leadership role this year in Sim Kilpatrick (5-11) who averaged 8.4 points and nearly four rebounds per game last season, Parker Jackson (6-0) who put in 4.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 2021 and Jackson Obregon (5-11) the leading returning scorer with 11.6 points a game.

“We don’t have just one key player, we’ve got these three seniors and we need them to make a big impact this year,” said Gehrke. “They came a long ways this summer as far as becoming leaders of our young team and I’m excited to see what these three do this year.” Gehrke will also have an eye on some youngsters that got a taste of varsity ball last year in Cooper Jackson (5-11, So.), Brodie Cameron (6-0, So.) and Braxton Lamb (6-1, Jr.). “Cooper and Brodie played some as freshmen last year and I think they can make a big impact for us this year. Braxton came on strong at the end of last year and we’re looking for him to keep that momentum going. He does all the little things that others don’t want to and does them when we need them most,” said Gehrke. “With just six juniors or seniors out of 22 in the program, we’ll be young this year and we’ll need to develop some depth quickly.”