Linn-Benton Loading Up
To say that this past week has been busy for Joe Schaumburg would be an understatement. The new head coach of Linn-Benton has been busy criss-crossing around signing players for his first year at the school. He’s hit the ground in-state, adding some of the top remaining Class of 2019 players for his initial recruiting class – and while the Roadrunners may not be finished yet, it’s all been the result of a grind ever since he got the job in mid-April.
“It’s like telling someone they’re an overnight success although they’ve been playing in a band for like fifteen years,” said Schaumburg. “This week’s been good but it’s been like a busy six weeks.”
Here are the Oregon Class of 2019 players Linn-Benton recently signed.
Fred Harding (2019 Lake Oswego) – Harding could be considered the cornerstone of this recruiting class as he was the top available big man left on the board. The 6-foot-7 post is big, athletic, and full of potential and developed into a solid force inside for the Lakers this past season. It was going to be an NWAC battle for his services and many of the schools in the PDX metro area such as Clark, Clackamas, and Chemeketa were all involved at one point but it turns out Harding will get his start a little further away from home at Linn-Benton. He currently ranks #46 in the Class of 2019 rankings.
Treyden Harris (2019 South Salem) – Harris played his senior season at South Salem after transferring in from Cascade and he was an instant impact performer for the Saxons, helping lead them to the state tournament. At 6-foot-3 with a solid build, he did damage both inside and out using his bulk to score in the paint and his soft lefty touch from the perimeter to hit from the outside. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine him having a similar role playing as a wing/forward in the NWAC. He currently ranks #54 in the Class of 2019 rankings.
Logan Pruitt (2019 Pleasant Hill) – Pruitt stands about 6-foot-5 and largely played in the post in high school at Pleasant Hill but has worked on developing his perimeter game on the AAU circuit with Team Jones the past two years. He’s crafty down low but has the versatility to face the basket, create off the dribble, and knock down the mid-range jump shot. His ability to score in multiple ways should provide the Roadrunners a lift both inside and out. He currently ranks #59 in the Class of 2019 rankings.
Lukas Findley (2019 Dayton) – Findley is a 6-foot-2 combo guard who has been a big part of Dayton’s success at the 3A level the past few years. The lefty can really create off the dribble and has the ability to get hot from three-point range. His versatility to play both guard spots should provide depth in the backcourt at Linn-Benton. He currently ranks #72 in the Class of 2019 rankings.
Ethan Flanigan (2019 Sprague) – Sprague was largely underclassman-dominated this season but Flanigan was the rock as a senior. At 6-foot-5 he had the height to play down low but largely operated from the perimeter. He has a nice touch out past the three-point line but also the length and ranginess to score around the basket.
Kyree Davis (2019 Westview) – Davis may be the biggest sleeper in this group. The 5-foot-11 point guard finished high school at Westview but enrolled in January and it was too late for him to obtain eligibility to play. He played the past couple of seasons at St. Benedict at Auburndale in Tennessee and from those who have seen him play, compares favorably to former Central Catholic/Portland State point guard Deante Strickland.