McKay High School · Salem, Oregon
Every possession is earned at McKay. We coach the hard parts — screens set with intent, hands up, bodies on the floor — and we ask the same of our players away from the gym.
“Toughness is a skill. It is learned, it is practiced, and it shows up on tape.”
The McKay standard
The Program
McKay Boys Basketball develops young men over four years — not one season. What a freshman learns in September should look familiar the day he walks into a varsity practice.
Skill work, strength, and basketball IQ built through relentless daily reps. Every level practices to the same standard so players are ready when they move up.
On time, prepared, coachable. Same expectations in practice, in games, and away from the gym.
Roles change, standards don't. Unselfish offense, one defense, credit to the guy nobody noticed.
Student first. Stay eligible, talk to your teachers, treat classwork like practice.
Classmates, families, and the neighborhood. Wearing this jersey means showing up for them.
The Ranks
Varsity, JV, and Freshman run the same terminology, the same defensive rules, and the same expectations for how players carry themselves.
Overview content. These descriptions explain how the program is structured. They are not a current roster, team assignment, or tryout result. Roster information should be confirmed with McKay High School athletics.
Top Level
The varsity level competes at the highest level of the program, with an emphasis on execution, defensive consistency, and leadership from returning players.
Bridge Level
JV is the bridge between developing skill and varsity readiness. Players get meaningful minutes while learning the same offensive and defensive systems.
Foundation
The freshman level is where habits are set: footwork, conditioning, communication, and understanding what it means to be part of a high school program.
Mark Your Calendar
FALL
MON–THU
Every Monday through Thursday in the main gym, 4:00–6:00 PM
NOV
6:00–9:00 PM
How We Run The Program
Our standards come from Jay Bilas’ “Toughness.” It is the language we coach with and the way every Royal Scot is expected to carry himself — in the gym, in the classroom, and around the community.
“Anybody can talk. Not anybody can be tough.”
Nothing to do with size or talking. It is learned, coached, and repeated every day — players play, tough players win.
Hard screens and hard cuts get teammates open. A lazy screen wastes everyone's time. Be a screener/scorer.
Communicate every possession. You cannot talk without being in a stance, seeing man and ball.
First to the loose ball, box out every possession, go to the glass. Defense isn't over until we have the ball.
Get to the right spot with the intention to stop somebody. Play through the whistle and complete the play.
No bad shots, no personal stat lines. We celebrate when we score, and we credit teammates first.
No excuses, no answering back. Own your actions, and look coaches and teammates in the eye.
Head up after a mistake, no complaining to officials. Next play is the most important one.
Make teammates' jobs easier and opponents' jobs harder. Play so hard your coach has to take you out.
Treat every game like a championship game. A trophy is a destination; the goal is improving today.
The Experience
Joining McKay Boys Basketball means big arenas, long road trips, summer camps, and a group of guys who compete at everything. Here's what a season inside the program actually looks like.
Big Floors
Center court at Matthew Knight Arena. Team camps and tournaments put our guys on floors most players only see on TV.
Team Trips
Road trips, food stops, and downtime together — that's where a locker room actually gets built.
Always Competing
Pop-a-shot, ping pong, sprints, shooting games — the competitive edge doesn't turn off when practice ends.
Brotherhood
Guys who battle each other all summer are the same guys who have your back in the fourth quarter.
The Culture
Camps, trips, service work, and time together — joining McKay basketball is a full experience, not just a roster spot.
Inside the Program
Practices, road games, youth camp, and service work — the parts of the program that happen well before the ball goes up.
Game night
Bench energy and a staff that coaches every possession.
Road trips
Locker room before tip-off — five as one.
Youth camp
Our players lead the next group of Royal Scots.
Community
Holiday giving drive with the McKay basketball family.
Big stage
Center court at Matthew Knight Arena during summer play.
Team time
Off the floor, still competing at everything.
Schedule
0 games. Home games are played at McKay High School — 2440 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR. Schedule is subject to change — confirm dates through McKay High School athletics.
March 2027 — postseason dates to be announced
Schedule subject to change
2026–27 Season
Every practice, workout, tryout, and game, month by month. Early months practice 3:45–5:45 PM; late months practice 6:00–8:30 PM. Schedule subject to change.
November 2026
Late practice · 6:00–8:30 PM
1
2
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
3
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
4
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
5
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
6
7
8
9
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
10
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Aux gym
11
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
12
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
13
14
15
16
Tryouts · Day 1
6:00–9:00 PM
17
Tryouts · Day 2
6:00–9:00 PM
18
Tryouts · Day 3
6:00–9:00 PM
19
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
20
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
21
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
22
23
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
24
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
25
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
26
Thanksgiving · No Practice
27
Off
28
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
29
30
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Mon
2
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
Tue
3
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
Wed
4
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
Thu
5
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
Mon
9
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
Tue
10
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Aux gym
Wed
11
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
Thu
12
Basketball Workouts
4:00–6:00 PM
Main gym
Mon
16
Tryouts · Day 1
6:00–9:00 PM
Tue
17
Tryouts · Day 2
6:00–9:00 PM
Wed
18
Tryouts · Day 3
6:00–9:00 PM
Thu
19
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Fri
20
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Sat
21
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Mon
23
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Tue
24
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Wed
25
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Thu
26
Thanksgiving · No Practice
Fri
27
Off
Sat
28
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
Mon
30
Practice
6:00–8:30 PM
News & Updates
Announcements, tryout information, and community events are posted here by the coaching staff.
Visit
Home games and program events are held at McKay High School. Parking and gym entrance details vary by event — check with the school before arriving for a specific game.
McKay High School
Home of McKay Boys Basketball
Address
2440 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97305Getting here
Located on Lancaster Dr NE in northeast Salem, Oregon.
McKayHigh School
2440 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97305
Facility details to be confirmed with the school
Player Interest
Prospective players and families can share their information here. Tell us about the player, their grade, and what you'd like to know about the program.
Coaching staff contact
Staff names and direct contact information will be published once confirmed by the school.
In person
McKay High School