It's been many years since the Sprague girls have had a winning season. In the 2021-2022 season their overall record was 5 wins - 12 losses. Now, at the beginning of the 2022-2023 season they already have more wins than last season with a record of 6 wins - 2 losses. This includes two wins and one loss at the Capitol City Classic tournament in Salem, Oregon.
One of the reasons why Sprague has resonated to a more competitive team this year, is because of number 2, Makenna Trussell, who stands at 5' 3". Not just for her sharp shooting and individual athleticism, but also because of her teammates that have bonded together and worked hard at their game.
The Sprague girls play in the 6A-6 Central Valley Conference, which includes Sprague; McNary; West Salem; South Salem, and North Salem. This is a tough conference, however, I do believe that Sprague will compete well and possibly be contenders for the first time in years.
The Sprague Olympians are Coached by Kevon Hanson. The assistant coach is Makenna's mom, Emily Trussell.
Makenna comes from a family that's extremely active in sports. Her dad, Richard, is a business owner and still continues to play competitive roller hockey. Her mom, Emily, is also a teacher at Richmond Elementary. A more supportive "sports mom" for her kids will be difficult to find.
Ella, Lainey, Richard, Emily, and Makenna. Photo provided by Emily Trussell.
Her sisters, Lainey and Ella, are also heavily involved playing basketball in leagues. Ella plays for the JV2 team at Sprague. Her cousin, Ayla, plays for the Sprague JV. Her other cousin, Eston, plays for the Jr. Olys -- what a family!
Coach Emily said, "I graduated in 2000 and my sister, Mary, graduated in 1998. We both played basketball at South Salem. We grew up around the game. My mom helped coach the women's team at Willamette University. We were ball girls! Just being around all of that made us fall in love with the game of basketball -- it was super exciting."
Makenna grew up in the Southeast part of Salem near the poverty area. She attended Richmond Elementary School. At the time, her family was middle class and lived two blocks from the lower income neighborhoods.
Makenna said, "We had good neighbors around us, but then a couple of blocks away, things were a little sketchy. I had good friends though -- it was pretty cool learning the different cultures. There were a lot of great people that lived in our neighborhood."
Richard and Emily put their oldest daughter into the game of basketball at a young age and got her involved in basketball clinics and youth leagues.
Makenna said, "I mean, it wasn't like I was against it or anything. Once I started learning and playing the game, I didn't mind it at all. I guess later I was inspired to get better at the game. And now I enjoy it a lot."
Playing with a group of girls during the middle-school days was fun for her. Makenna's mom coached her and encouraged the involvement in all the tournament teams like the Jr. Saxons and the Jr. Olys. And then later for the tournament team, The PAC. Makenna was developing and improving her basketball skill sets through summers just participating in any programs her mom found that would help her.
There was a time during her middle-school days that the family moved from the South Salem Saxon's district to the Sprague-Olympian's district. When Makenna was trying out for Jr. Olys there were only 3 girls that showed up. She wanted to play with the kids that would be attending Sprague. The program seemed to be struggling a bit, so Makenna continued playing for the Jr. Saxons. In the 8th grade, the Jr. Olys had enough girls, so she played with two teams the same year.
Coach Emily started seeing this positive and hopeful vision with the girls in the program. They were working hard to get better. The talent was starting to show, but according to her, it was still a developing stage.
Makenna said, "Tournament teams definitely were tougher competition -- a little intimidating at the beginning because of the talent I saw, but not too bad. I just used it to help me get better."
Makenna and cousin Ayla. Photo provided by Emily Trussell.
By the time she entered high school as a freshman, the Sprague-girls-basketball program was not very strong, nor did they have a talented group of young ladies. The previous year they had only won one or two games. Makenna immediately earned her spot as the starting point guard -- she became the leader of the team. She had never faced the kind of defenses that she saw at the varsity level. Teams would trap her and things would get a little frustrating.
Makenna said, "Teams trapping me many times made me lose my confidence -- it was challenging for me coming in as a freshman and a new leader of a varsity team. I had never faced defenses like that."
She didn't give up and it didn't take her long to adjust. Her coaches would talk to her after practices. It was a learning experience -- she just worked through it, learned as much as she could, and got better each week.
Makenna said, "I never let it get me down, I just worked hard to learn as much as I could. I practiced and practiced"
Her GPA is 3.9 -- a scholar athlete. Grades are so important if anyone wants to be eligible to play sports in high school and college. Coaches are always looking for athletes with good grades.
Her freshman year and her sophomore, Makenna and her team did not experience winning seasons. She did receive a couple of awards though -- Athlete of the Week and MVC Honorable Mention as a sophomore.
Now as a junior, her team has grown so much in the way they execute plays. And to add another plus to this team, here comes a rising star, 5' 6" Freshman Carly Skogstad. Makenna played with her during the middle school days. Carly is averaging 22 points a game and has taken the point guard position as her new role.
Makenna grabs a rebound and drives down court. Photo provided by Emily Trussell.
Makenna said, "I love my team this year! With Carly playing the point-guard position, I'm playing the wing position, which I like better. I still play some point guard though. We have several girls on our team that have played together since middle school."
With Makenna and Carly playing on the same team, Sprague girls have some exciting years coming up. They have a team of girls that work well together. They spend time together off the court as well. The team will start team dinners soon.
During the past two summers, Makenna stepped up her game by training with Matt Espinoza, aka, "Coach Noza". He is a basketball coach and a certified strength and conditioning coach. He is also the founder of Salem Hoops Project.
Makenna said, "Working with Coach Noza has really improved my game in many areas. We do agilities and work on drills to develop more explosiveness. We also work on shooting and basketball skill sets. It's been great having that extra help."
Coach Matt Espinoza said, "I've been able to work with Makenna for the past couple of years. This summer she really dedicated herself to getting stronger and improving her conditioning. With the amount of minutes she's playing, her progress is definitely showing. It's been fun watching her lead Sprague to some early success this season."
Sprague High School and the community there has a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to in the near future. It has been a long time since the girls' team has had some success. And now, the Olys are competing well against some of the toughest teams around. That is what I call progress, the result of hard work.
Coach Emily said, "Coaching my daughter in middle school and all, I didn't know I would end up coaching her in high school. Sometimes it can be frowned upon to have a parent as a coach. It's a true blessing for me to have the opportunity to coach my daughter. I love all the girls on the team the same. I try to not be biased. Sometimes I feel like I'm harder on her because she's my daughter. I have learned over the years to talk to Makenna in a more positive way. Like, I tell her about the great things she did in the game before explaining the things she can improve on. It took me a few years to learn some of those things. It's not always about the wins and losses, but more importantly I care about the girls' emotional state. I want them to stay positive and to just take one game at a time."
Makenna with the the five starters. Photo provided by Emily Trussell.
Makenna discusses plays or maybe suggests things they could do different in the team. Her mom listens and also encourages her to have a player-relationship with Head Coach Hanson as well. So far, things are working out well.
Makenna said, "It can be frustrating at times. She's always been my coach since I can remember. I do appreciate all I've learned from my mom -- she's great."
The young athlete does a lot of volunteer work through her church. Usually with a youth group. They do things like toy drives for kids, and yard work for the elderly. She also volunteers with her mom at Salem Hoops Project, a non-profit organization that provides free basketball clinics for kids. She volunteers at women's shelters by doing yard work or bringing them supplies. There are many more service projects -- these are just a few.
MaKenna has a caring heart and helping people in general is something she continues to do. During basketball games, she will be the first to help any player off the floor, if they take a fall. It doesn't matter if it's an opponent, to her, it's a person that needs help.
Her sister, Ella, said, "I'm so proud of my sister, I enjoy watching her play."
The unbelievable support from her family is to be commended. Makenna has her parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents at all her games.
Makenna said, "I love my family. I'm happy that they can be there supporting our team. It's been a lot of fun."
It's going to be a resilient, fun, and exciting time watching Sprague this year and in the future. The day after Christmas they plan on traveling to Arizona to play in a tournament. The girls are getting opportunities to become a stronger team. Congrats to the program and the ladies!
Head Coach Kevon Hanson said, "Makenna is an individual I feel blessed to coach. As a third-year-varsity player, she has been vital to the culture change here at Sprague. Makenna is committed to our core values of compassion, joy, accountability, and mindfulness. As a captain, she demonstrates these values daily in practice, on the court, and in the classroom. Voted as one of our team captains from her coaches and teammates, Kenna leads by example through her efforts in practice, her strong demeanor on the court, and her support of each an every Oly in our program. She is a joy to coach and I look forward to her continuing to grow and lead us over the rest of this season and next year!"
Makenna, what are your short-term goals?
I want to become a better player by continuing to work hard. I want our team to take one game at a time. Sure the goal should be to make the playoffs, but I just don't want to put that kind of pressure on our team. We are still growing and learning. And finally, I want to focus on defense more. Having Carly on our team has shifted my role a little.
What are your long-term goals?
I don't know if I want to continue playing basketball -- I haven't decided -- though there are athletic scholarships that pay for school. I would love to go into the medical field. I don't want to attend college away from the Northwest -- maybe stay close like, Oregon, Idaho, California, or Utah.
What has been your favorite moment in basketball?
It was actually my freshman year against McKay High School. We won and I had 15 points. I made 4 three-pointers.
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
I was once at a piano recital. Halfway through the song, I forgot the notes and just stopped. I had to start all over to remember. I did eventually get through that night.