College Commitment: Sawyer Heald (2022 Lincoln)

Things couldn’t have gone any better for Sawyer Heald Sawyer Heald 6'1" | CG Lincoln | 2022 State OR during his senior season. The tough 6-foot-1 guard experienced winning with the Cardinals for the first time in his high school career and settled into a role as a sharpshooter and a leader. Thanks to his play he was able to garner some recruiting interest and after considering options at multiple levels, on Wednesday he announced at a press conference at Lincoln High School that he would be attending Oxnard College in California to start his college career.

"My decision was made off three big things - did I feel I was needed, did I feel I was wanted, and could I achieve the goals I wanted to achieve there," Heald said. "Oxnard checked all of those boxes. The coaches were great and stayed in contact with me throughout the recruitment process."

Heald chose Oxnard over other opportunities both locally in Multnomah and in California at Yuba College. He utilized part of his spring break to visit Oxnard and while he was on campus, he received the offer to play with the Condors. After breaking down all his options, the CCCAA was the best fit for him.

"It was a great opportunity and place for me to start off develop and come out a Division 1 basketball player," Heald said. "I have goals way beyond just playing college ball and this was the place I thought I could set the foundation for them."

Heald might not have been in this position had things not changed for his senior season. He adjusted to a new role playing off of the ball and thriving as a shooter and backup point guard, averaging 10.1 points and 3.7 assists while shooting 41 percent from three. Heald also led all of 6A in free throw shooting at 93 percent. It’s a year he will never forget.

"This season was special, especially for me as a senior," Heald said. "Last year was disastrous but coming in this year with a whole new group of guys who became my best friends, the new coach was incredible - it was a life-changer, it really was."

Our congratulations go out to Heald and his family on his decision.