Ridgefield Boys: Spudders continue to make strides on the court

Ridgefield is growing. The boys basketball team hopes to grow with it. Not just for one season, but sustained success is fourth-year coach Jason Buffum’s hope.

“We’re a quickly growing community and we should be successful year after year,” Buffum said. “We’ve made baby steps. We feel like we’re taking steps forward but we don’t want to settle for a .500 record and the playoffs.”

Buffum knows the feeling of breakthrough. In 2016, he led Woodland to its first state quarterfinal in 32 years. Ridgefield hasn’t made the state quarterfinals since 1981.

This year’s squad could make a giant leap toward that goal. The Spudders return three all-league picks: scoring guard Josh Mansur, natural wing Steven Vossenkuhl and double-double machine James Corey.

Battle Ground transfer Brandon Kent is a dynamic point guard, Seton Catholic transfer Luke Price adds some toughness inside and sophomore Carson Knight continues to mature.

“I think this team has a high ceiling,” Buffum said. “But we’re still trying to figure things out. We feel a little like a junior college right now where guys are coming in and figuring things out on the fly.”

The biggest strength for the Spudders is perhaps their versatility. Vossenkuhl played guard last year but is moving to a more natural wing position. Price and Mansur can slot almost anywhere. The team has also responded to Buffum’s coaching.

“Sometimes my style can be a bit abrasive and if you can’t that handle that, it’s hard,” Buffum said. “We have guys who accept that. When the going gets tough and you challenge them, they respond.”

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