As I watched the girls-preseason game between McKay and North Salem, I saw a tremendous amount of improvement from a young lady that showed a lot of promise from her freshman year last season to this season. She has resonated to becoming one of the top players at McKay High School.
Patricia Mike stands just under 5' 6" and wears number one on her game jersey. She is only a sophomore and has earned the leadership role as the starting point guard.
With first-year-head-coach Ryan Kuboyama, it's a new program that will be classified as 5A in the Mid-Willamette Conference and a fresh start. Ryan was an assistant to last year's coach, Jim White. The familiar setting is positive for the new coach. Ryan's assistants are, Sasha Val, Derick Handley, Paige Downer, and Leva Mike (JV Coach). His freshman coach is Aaron Smith.
Head Coach Ryan said, "Patricia has become one of the leaders on our varsity team and is a captain this year. As a second-year-varsity starter, she has demonstrated a lot of growth and discipline to the game. She is versatile and can play the 1 through 5. I am excited to see where this team can go under her leadership."
Patricia's parents are Howard and Rachel. She has two older sisters, Brianna and Leva. They both played college basketball at Chemketa Community College. Leva is now the head JV coach at McKay. Edie is her youngest sister. Patricia's older brother, Lawrence, is a junior and the starting point guard for the boys' varsity team at McKay.
Patricia grew up in Dallas, Oregon, before her family moved to Salem after her third-grade year. She's always had her family around and time spent with her friends was a lot fun. She recalls most of her friends being relatives -- cousins mainly. She enjoyed playing on the trampoline and swimming with friends. Her neighborhood was pretty calm and laid back.
She is half Native American and half White. Her grandfather is from mixed tribes, Shoshone and Paiute, also known as Sho-Pai. Her grandmother is from the Ho-Chunk Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
Patricia was inspired by watching her Dad play basketball in a city league. All of her family would go watch Howard play basketball. And then when her sisters, Leva and Brianna, started playing basketball in leagues, that fed to her fuel and she was inspired even more to play the game of basketball.
Patricia as a 3rd grader with her sisters, Leva and Brianna. Photo by David Espinoza
Patricia said, "I basically grew up with the game by watching my family play. It was so exciting to watch the games. I kept telling myself, I can't wait to play in a game. And now, here I am. I'm playing on a varsity team!"
The family started a tradition of supporting each other by attending the games. When Howard's days of playing were over, they moved on to watching Brianna and Leva play basketball, or any member of the family that had a game. It is so cool, community-wise, to observe a family like the Mikes. The love they show for their family members is heart-warming. Israel Garza, a former basketball player at McKay, married Brianna recently. Now I see him at the games supporting his new family. To this family, it's priority to attend family-member's games -- a priceless example displayed.
Patricia said, "When I moved to Salem, I attended Salem Hoops Project -- a free basketball clinic. It was my first exposure to any kind of basketball program. I learned so much about ball-handling, and all kinds of drills. I really enjoyed it. Now, I like to volunteer and help out at that same basketball clinic."
During the summers, she worked at her game as much as she could. Basketball became a passion for her. It was about family, expression, love, and a sense of accomplishment.
Patricia played basketball in the Skyball League as a youth. Then later she joined a spring tournament team called, The PAC. During the summer she stepped it up and earned a spot on a traveling team from Portland called, Oregon Triple.
Patricia said, "Playing on tournament teams was a great experience, especially since friends like MaKenna Trussell and Brezlyn Schwalm were on the team with me. When I first started with the new teams, it was a little intimidating. The players were a step better than most of the girls I was used to playing with, here locally. I'd wake up at 6:00am and go workout at the PAC, a facility out South, it was great for improving my skill set. I would also try to get into elementary gyms that were open. I'd find a group of ball players playing pick-up games. I found a way to just play ball to improve my game."
Patricia loves the idea of her team at McKay consisting of mostly sophomores. There are only two juniors and one senior on the team. She is highly motivated to work with her team and to continue building great relationships and executing designed plays to the best of their abilities.
Patricia said, “I love my teammates! Especially since most of us have classes together. We do things together on the weekends off-the-court, and we are soon starting team dinners. At practices, I really like the way all my teammates work well together. And it's special that I've played basketball with Brezlyn and Maddi since I was in the sixth grade.”
Patricia went through some emotional struggles when her grandfather passed away three years ago. She was extremely close to him. He was part of the family that would show up to all the games. She would talk basketball with him all night long.
Patricia said, "When I lost my grandpa, I felt really sad -- it was a tough time for me. He would come to all my games. I have a lot of great memories with him. During his last moments, when he got really ill, I would go visit him and tell him all about my games -- play by play."
Losing her grandfather was an obstacle that she faced. She got through the tough times by just thinking about him during a game. If she ran into a situation, she would think about what her grandfather would do. She just continues with those good memories. She will always keep him in her heart.
Patricia has been an asset to the community. She volunteers for Salem Hoops Project, a non-profit organization that provides free basketball clinics for kids. She has also been involved with assisting in starting a kids team from the McKay area to compete at the PAC.
She is a scholar athlete and carries a 4.0 GPA. For college coaches, that's gold. A student focused on academics and sports? As most people might know, to play sports, a student must hold passing grades.
Patricia said, "Yeah, this year I have one B. But it's an honor's class -- I plan to improve that."
Basketball season has to be Patricia's favorite time of the year. On November 30, 2022, The McKay Lady Scots played the North Salem Vikings with a good-size crowd in hand. Patricia played the point guard position and handled the basketball effortlessly -- you could tell that she was comfortable the entire game -- her passes and assists were crisp and the defense focused. What was also impressive, was how Patricia showed good sportsmanship. She was the first to help any player that fell on the basketball court.
Patricia creates her shot finishing an “And 1!” Photo by Kent Brewer
She scored 23 points, and her teammate, Brezlyn, scored 27 points. These two three-point shooters will be a threat in the MWC league. McKay won the game 56 - 36. A few days later they defeated Reynolds, a Portland team. The Lady Scots are off to a good start, 2- 0 for the season.
The Lady Scots' roster consist of, Patricia Mike; Madelyn Mullins; Brezlyn Schwalm; Gracelynn Masasi; Lela Truong; Kaylee Mendez; Myla Feskens; Jasmin Hernandez; Carlicia Dixon, and Ashley Nicholas Lopez.
Patricia focusing on defense vs. North Salem. Photo by Kent Brewer
Patricia's dad, Howard, said, "It's just a great thing. Basketball is an amazing activity that we get to experience with our family. We are all very proud of Patricia and what she has accomplished at such a young age."
After this year, Patricia will have two years of high school. She will only get better, and it will be fun watching what her future holds. Hard work pays off and she's a prime example.
The outlook for the season is undetermined -- there are several tough teams out there and the Lady Scots will be tested. I have no doubt they are ready for the challenge. Whatever happens, these young ladies play hard all the way through a game and never give up until the last buzzer sounds.
Coach Ryan Kuboyama said, "I know we are entering a tough league, but it is a goal for this team to be competitive. I think we will surprise some teams. As the season progresses and we start getting some games under our belt, we should have a better idea of where we are at. But I'm excited to see it!"
Patricia handling the basketball vs. North Salem. Photo by Kent Brewer
Patricia, what has been the highlight of your basketball career?
Last year against Sprague, I played my best game as a freshman. I scored 17 points, had 5 assists, and brought down 5 rebounds. Everything was clicking for me -- it felt really good. We ended up beating Sprague, 43 - 37."
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
During practice one time, my coach asked me to demonstrate a drill that required running the length of the gym with cones set up at different areas. On the way back, I was to finish with a lay up. Well, when I went up for the lay up, I don't know what happened, but I just floated in the air and came down flat on my face -- ha-ha! ... so embarrassing.
What is your short-term goal?
I want to earn the athlete of the week again, like last year. Last year at the end of the season, I was selected honorable mention. This year, I'd love to earn second team all league. And, I would love for our team to make the playoffs.
What is your long-term goal?
I know it's a long stretch, but I would love to play Division I basketball or at an NAIA college. I know I have to work harder to get there. And after college, I would love to be a teacher -- health or physical education.