Bisio, Redwoods add Oregon hooper to 2020-21 squad

TIMES-STANDARD

BY ANDREW BUTLER

Ryan Bisio describes his latest commit as a "diamond in the rough."

That rough, apparently, exists in Dayton, Oregon.

Payton Garrison, a 6-foot-4 forward out of Dayton High (Oregon), has committed to join the College of the Redwoods men's basketball team.

Bisio, who in his first season as head coach led Redwoods to a 22-6 overall record and the program's first outright Golden Valley Conference title since the 2006-07 season after inheriting a team which went 0-26 the year prior, said the accomplishment's earned by his 2019-20 club "may never be done again" when considering how far the team ascended in one single season.

For Bisio, it's all about ensuring the future is bright in the 'Woods.

"If we can keep this thing going, I think over time that will show ever further how historic and rare what we accomplished last season was," the coach said. "We have to get the best guys we can get and always be thinking about the future."

And Garrison is key part of that future.

"I suppose conventionally (Garrison) is a forward, but he has a lot of guard skills too and he can really play all five positions," Bisio said.

Playing all five positions was something GVC MVP and all-state first-team player Thomas Nelson did for Redwoods on a game in, game out basis.

But the 2020-21 'Woods won't have Nelson, who was one of three sophomores in action for the Corsairs last season.

Enter Garrison, who Bisio hopes can fill at least a portion of Nelson's shoes.

"(Garrison) fills some of the same holes (Nelson) will leave," Bisio said. "Payton is a really unique player...who I saw last spring while I was in Oregon. He's a great athlete and a guy who has a shot at starting here sooner rather than later.

"You couldn't find a better fit," the coach said.

Garrison said it didn't take long to decide Redwoods was his destination of choice.

"I came down here for a recruiting trip in July," Garrison said. "I loved the coaching staff immediately. It's a real family-first environment which is what I'm all about. The guys on the team too, they welcomed me with open arms and I just liked their style.

"I like to play fast-paced, you know up and down the court and that's what they do there," he said.