ADNA — In the final 30 seconds of a C2BL game on Dec. 5, Trevin Salme was in transition and found himself in the corner unguarded.
Two years ago, he pulls up. Even last year, he takes the 3-pointer. Trends become habits, but those two factors can change as time progresses.
And when Salme drove to the tin, created some contact and made a tough layup, it not only signaled the Adna High School junior evolved his game, but refined it to become a three-level scorer.
He’s stronger. He’s bigger. He’s taller. His wingspan is longer.
“Just getting in the gym all the time,” Salme said. “Getting in the paint just opens everything else up.”
It’s been a remarkable run of accomplishments for Salme in the calendar year. He triumphed in the spring at the Class 1B/2B boys state golf tournament, becoming the first Adna golfer to win a state title. Then this fall, he quarterbacked the Pirates to a league title, 11-2 record and a trip to the 2B state semifinals.
Basketball is his sport. And now, he’s trying to lead Adna back into contention amongst a loaded East side of the state and into trophy conversation.
“Trying to get a trophy (and) playing in the last game at state,” Salme said.
Salme has always been a prolific shooter. It was his role as a freshman while his older brother Braeden could score nearly everywhere on the court. Then last year, he was starting to figure out how to change his game with a younger group.
Combined with natural growth – now at 6-foot-4 – and dedication in the weight room, Salme has developed a post game. In the season-opening victory against Winlock, when his shot from behind the arc wasn’t going in, he backed down for layups or shot from the mid-range.
In four games, all victories by Adna, Salme has been the team-leader in scoring. His best output was 31 points in a close contest versus Willapa Valley.
“He’s put in pretty good work in the weight room, but getting physically more mature, it's going to make a world of difference,” Pirates head coach Luke Salme said. “Now people are going to see, oh, there are a lot of other parts to his game.
“He won’t be shooting 10 3s to every two.”
Even after the heartbreaking end to the football campaign, Salme and the rest of the multi-sport athletes didn’t sulk at basketball practice. Senior Jackson Knittle, one of two seniors on the roster, was ready to attack a new season.
It helps when the core group has been through plenty of up and down moments together.
“We’re pretty close as a team, just not straying away from each other,” Knittle said. “Just the little things that cost us last year that we’ll be able to fix this year.”
Salme called it “special” when discussing the last eight months of accolades and accomplishments. Still, the humble and quiet kid prefers to let his game do the talking.
And it’s speaking loudly through the first two weeks of Adna’s season.
“He developed his game and now he can (get his own shot) for us,” Knittle said.
It won’t be just a one-man show for the Pirates.
Grayson Humphrey and Kannen Kephart are also back off the district runner-up team that went one-and-done in Spokane, losing to Liberty Bell in the seven versus 10 seed matchup. Sophomore Kaden Richardson has provided quality minutes as has classmate Trent Kephart.
Plus, at some point, Landen Cline will suit up after transferring in from Winlock. He was one of the Cardinals’ top scorers from a season ago.
“We are really, really excited about this group,” Coach Salme said. “They are unselfish. We’re just going to focus on stacking days, but offensively, this could be as good as any group as I’ve had.”
There’s not only redemption Adna is seeking after losing in the district title game, but what transpired in Spokane Arena. The press that Liberty Bell unleashed caused the Pirates plenty of turnovers that resulted in the double digit setback.
Could Adna flip the script and bring forth a press? It isn’t out of the question.
“We’ll be able to do lots of things,” Coach Salme said. “You have to be able to play man-to-man defense in the Spokane Arena.”
How far the Pirates go likely depends on how far Salme goes. He’s stepped into a leadership role and the unquestioned No. 1 scoring option for a team trying to secure their second trophy in three seasons.
He’ll be the top person on an opposing team’s scouting report. He’ll likely be guarded by a top defender.
So be it.
“Doing what I can do to help the team,” Salme said.
