Once again, the Silverton High boys basketball program is looking for a new head coach. Jamie McCarty, who has coached the Foxes for six of the past seven seasons, has resigned amid the fallout from the Silver Falls School District’s budget crisis.
McCarty, who serves as the principal at Robert Frost School, lost a support staff person to the budget ax. The presence of that person, McCarty said, was critical to his ability to coach basketball while feeling secure that his “day job” was covered.
“With a budget shortfall, limited staff, and inadequate behavioral support, a significant burden falls on me,” McCarty told Our Town. “As a principal, which constitutes 98% of my salary, I must fully commit to the job and its demands. This year, having a Student Success Coach was crucial for my ability to coach. When I had to leave the building early or needed extra support, the coach could step in.
“Unfortunately, that position has been cut for next year. Additionally, district-wide cuts will increase our responsibilities as administrators.”
McCarty coached the Foxes from 2018 through 2022, winning five consecutive Mid-Willamette Conference titles and going 69-1 in league play. His teams finished fourth (2018), third (2019) and second (2022) in the Class 5A state tournament. His 2020 team was in the semifinals when COVID-19 shut down the tournament and there was no 2021 tournament because of the pandemic.
After a year off in 2023 because of his administrative load (he was principal of three schools), McCarty returned for the 2024 season and led Silverton to a 16-9 record. The Foxes were 12-6 in league and came within one game of qualifying for the state tournament.
“I was really hoping for more than a one-year return,” McCarty said. “The boys are the reason I do it. They are tremendous leaders, hard workers, and dedicated teammates. I’m going to miss the relationships with the athletes and coaches.”
No other coaching slots have been affected to date by the budget cuts, athletic director Andy Jones told Our Town. Second-year girls soccer coach Renee Cantrell has resigned, but she is not a district employee and her departure was not related to the budget situation.
Volleyball: Silverton’s new boys program took second in Class 5A-4A at the May 30-31 state tournament in Hillsboro. The Foxes, coached by Benson Short, went 6-0 in pool play and 2-1 in bracket play, losing only to champion Bend.
“What an amazing run and what an amazing success for our fledgling program,” coach Short told Our Town. “It was heartbreaking to lose, but I am so proud of our accomplishments this season.”
Silverton placed five players on the all-state team, including co-MVP and co-player of the year Elisha Short, an outside hitter and defensive specialist.
Outside hitter Cohen Mulick was first-team all-state, middle hitter Tristan Keopadapsy was a second-teamer and setter Terence Short and middle blocker Trevor Redman-Brown received honorable mention.
Softball: Silverton uncorked a superb 25-5 season in 2024, earning a co-title with Dallas in the Mid-Willamette Conference and advancing to the Class 5A semifinals before falling to eventual champion Bend.
It was the fifth league title in 30 years for coach Ralph Cortez of the Foxes and his first trip to the semis since 2017.
“This was a great group to coach,” Cortez told Our Town. “These kids worked hard all season and off -season. You have a group like this with families that are committed to getting their kids the right training. That says a lot for these families. This is good for our softball community.”
The Foxes dominated the All-Mid-Willamette conference team. Cortez was named coach of the year, and catcher Braezen Henderson, infielder Maddy Ehrens, first baseman Kate Kofstad and right fielder Hannah Houts were named to the first team. Pitcher McKenzee Petersen and left fielder Brylie Parks were placed on the second team and infielders Jerisha Perez, Jordan Markham and Hailey Smith and center fielder Paisley Rains received honorable mention.
Ehrens, Houts, Rains and shortstop Zellee Herman return next season, leading Cortez to note that “our future is bright again. These kids will work hard to come back next year to give their best. We just need more like these kids that have set the tone on what it takes to play at the highest level.”
Awards: Silverton girls basketball coach Alyssa Ogle was named coach of the year for Class 5A girls basketball by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Ogle led the Foxes to the Class 5A title in March in her second year in the position. The award was announced at the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association annual banquet at Autzen Stadium. Also honored was Kennedy’s Kevin Moffatt for Class 2A-1A baseball. Moffat’s Trojans, state champs in 2022 and 2023 established an all-classes state record 46-game winning streak this season.
The NFHS also honored coaches with years of service awards. Former Silverton girls hoops coach Tal Wold, now at Stayton, was honored for 25 years of service. Former Foxes boys hoops coach Darren Shryock, who now coaches and serves as athletic director at Stayton, received a 35-year award.
Baseball: Silverton catcher Wyatt Postlewait was selected first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference and was honorable mention on the all-state Class 5A squad. Also honored by MWC coaches were Cade Wynn (second team, infield), Sawyer Enderle (second team, pitcher) and James Brady (second team, outfield). Colson Swartz (utility), Logan Hendrickson (first base) and Henry Briggs (pitcher) received honorable mention.
