Oregon 6A State Tournament Preview: 5 Stories, 5 Stars, 5 Sleepers
As the Oregon class 6A state tournament kicks off this week at the Chiles Center on the campus of the University of Portland, we take a look at some of the stories, stars, and sleepers to be aware of.
STORIES
- Arguably the biggest story of the state tournament is whether West Linn can win a historic 5th straight state title. They are certainly on the short list of teams who could potentially upset top ranked Jefferson. The Lions are a talented offensive team with the ability to score in transition whether posting up big men Kieshon Dawkins or Khalid Thomas or shooting from the perimeter with Nolan Bertain and Braden Olsen. Their struggles this season have come on the defensive end at times and will have to be an area of focus if they are to cut the nets down once again.
- League rematches are the story for the first set of games as PIL rivals Jefferson and Grant start the day off at 1:30. The loaded Democrats beat their neighborhood foe three times this year all in fairly easy fashion. The 3:15 game features the 4th match up of the year between Westview and cross town rival Beaverton. The Beavers have won all three games in hotly contested match ups. Beating an opponent four times in a basketball season is quite a challenge, so odds if nothing else would suggest that at least one upset is likely.
- Jefferson attempts to win their first state championship at the 6A level. After winning four 5A titles in recent years, the Demos seek their first one since the entire PIL moved up to 6A three years ago. To be fair, Jeff did win the 2000 big school state title with one of the greatest teams in Oregon history, but would love to break through to cement the programs legacy.
- Two head coaches make their state tournament debuts in their first year on the job. West Linn’s Tyler Toney leads the Lions quest to win a 5th straight title. Toney did have a successful run in the late 2000s as the head coach of Portland Christian including three state tournament appearances with the Royals. West Salem is lead by first year head coach Travis Meyers who has the Titans in uncharted territory and will be faced with a tall task in the first round versus Clackamas.
- In recent years, the state title trophy hasn’t traveled very far, as the last 9 champions have all come from Portland area schools. The last non metro area winner was the Kyle Singler led South Medford Panthers who won it all in 2007. Prior to that, South Salem in 2004 and Redmond in 2003 were non urban area champs. West Salem and North Medford are the ones looking to break through this season, but based on season records and early round match ups, both appear to be big long shots to pull off the feat.
STARS
- The Oregon state tournament has seen its share of high profile players in the last ten years from Kevin Love and Kyle Singler to Payton Pritchard more recently. 2018 forward Kamaka Hepa from Jefferson appears to be the next one on that list. Ranked in the top 50 of every major national ranking, the transfer from Alaska has quickly established himself as one of the most skilled big men to play in Oregon in a long time. A gifted passer whose unselfish team oriented game has given Jefferson the dynamic they were missing last season and colleges all over the country competing for his services.
- You rarely teams succeed in the post season at any level without having at least one high level guard. That certainly holds true for West Salem and 2018 combo guard Kyle Greeley. The Titans in the final 8 for the first time in over 10 years, rode Greeley to two big playoff wins over Sheldon and Central Catholic. Greeley has already verbally committed to play for Cameron Dollar at Seattle University.
- The race for the 6A state player of the year is as wide open as its been in years. Many believe that the front runner is 5’9 senior point guard Elijah Gonzales of Clackamas. The Portland State commit has lead the Cavs to unprecedented levels of success the last three years including a league title and LSI victory over West Linn this season. His ability to break down defenses and create for himself and teammates will be the keys to success for Clackamas.
- Few players in this year’s field hold as many D1 offers as 2018 forward Kelton Samore of Grant. The 6’8 shooter has impressed scouts with his skill level and basketball IQ. The Generals will need all of that as they attempt to beat Jefferson for the first time in four tries this season.
- West Linn is loaded with future college players as they attempt to win a 5th straight state title. The most decorated and recruited of the bunch is 6’9 senior forward Khalid Thomas. College coaches love his size, versatility, and basketball IQ. His length allows him to defend multiple positions and his ability to score inside & outside make him a match up night mare for opponents.
SLEEPERS
- When you have teammates who are the PIL Player of the Year, the #1 ranked player in 2018, and the #1 player in 2019, it’s a little easy to get lost in the shuffle. Don’t let that diminish the value that Thomas Miles brings to the Jefferson Democrats. The 6’2 senior guard has a knack for identifying what his team needs from him on a game by game basis. Sometimes that involves scoring and other nights that’s guarding the other team’s best player. Every state title team has a glue guy that help gets them over the top and Miles could be that guy for Jeff.
- When West Linn won their 4th straight title last March, guard Jaylon Grant was the unsung hero for the Lions. This year’s unheralded man could be junior guard Jaylen Thompson. The lefty can impact a game with his perimeter shooting as well as being a hard nosed perimeter defender.
- Westview is making their second consecutive appearance in the final 8 and are lead by the tandem of seniors Said Ali and Mason Elliot. If the Wildcats are to defeat their Metro League rival Beaverton, it could be senior guard Zach Schmerber that makes the difference. One of the best shooters in the final 8, his ability to knock down perimeter shots could give the Westview the third scorer needed to advance.
- When you prepare for Clackamas you start with a plan to stop Elijah Gonzales, then figure out how to deal with senior post Matt O’brien or junior wing Cole Turner. The guy who flies a little under the radar is 6’6 junior post Dane Agost. His defense and rebounding could be key to Clackamas’ success this week.
- Playoff basketball usually requires great guard play on offense and interior defense and rebounding on the other end of the floor. Beaverton relies on 6’7 senior post Beau Sheeran to provide the latter. The late blooming big man has emerged this season and his play has helped propel the Beavers to their second consecutive Metro League title.