Oregon Small School State Tourney Preview
With the end of the high school basketball season quickly approaching, Prep Hoops Oregon will be your source for detailed coverage of the players and teams that will make an impact on their respective playoff brackets. Here are our favorites, contenders, and dark horses for the 1A, 2A, & 3A classes, which start their playoffs this week.
Oregon Class 3A
Favorite: Dayton (24-1)
The defending state champion Pirates, feature the best player in 3A in 6’0 senior guard Zack Bernards. The recent OIT commit has battled nagging injuries all year, but has still managed to average nearly 30 points per game. No program has played in more big games over the years than Dayton. That experience and a healthy Bernards make the Pirates a huge favorite to repeat.
Contenders: Amity (20-5) Harrisburg (20-5)
Amity, the only team to defeat Dayton during the season, started off a little slow under a new head coach, but has been playing at a high level as of late. Led by senior sharp shooter Devin Mcshane and athletic 2017 wing Dylan Stearns. The Warriors have the ability to play at a variety of different tempos, a trait that lends itself to playoff success. Harrisburg has to be on the short list of contenders thanks to their ability to defend. Led by the back court of Hunter Knox and his cousin Joey Knox, the Eagles take pride in taking teams out of their offensive rhythm.
Darkhorse: Delasalle (19-5)
The Knights make the list due in part to their recent success at state, where they have finished 2nd two of the last four years. Their full court pressure defense and balanced offensive attack make them a hard team to prepare for on short notice. Seniors Jordanos Lincoln and Marquis Guntle have led the way for Delasalle, but class of 2019 guard Kadeem Nelson is an emerging talent who is the biggest threat.
Oregon Class 2A
Favorite: Western Menonite (23-5)
A rich tradition of state playoff success, a coach who went over 600 career wins this season, and two talented young guards, make the Pioneers a slight favorite in a loaded 2A state tournament bracket. The young combo of 2019 guard Keaton Hull and 6’3 2020 forward Payton Richardson give Western a talented to scoring duo.
Contenders: Columbia Christian (23-2) Stanfield (19-1)
The Knights emerged as the winner of the loaded Northwest League and feature 1st year head coach Bart Valentine widely considered among the best coaches in the state for his success at West Linn HS and Warner Pacific College. They are led by the senior duo of 6’5 post Levi Dalzell and guard Robert Wagner. Stanfield which 18 straight games including wins over Western Menonite and Sherman (#1 team in class 1A) features Dylan Grogan, a 6’4 senior workhorse a lock all state performer.
Darkhorse(s): Life Christian (21-6) Vernonia (21-5)
The Lions will go as far as the Quinlan brothers will take them. 2017 wing Bo Quinlan, a 6’6 sharp shooter sets the tone and little brother Zeke Quinlan a 2018 wing follows suit. This duo is capable of big scoring nights and will certainly draw special attention from opposing defenses. Can the rest of their teammates make the necessary plays to get them over the top? The defending 2A state champs Vernonia, find themselves in a familiar position, poised to make a state tourney run. This year’s Logger team doesn’t have their usual foreign exchange presence and is led by 2018 wing Clay Sullivan. The 6’3 lefty is a 3 year starter who can shoot it from deep and attack the rim.
Oregon Class 1A
Favorite: Sherman County (22-5)
The record for the defending state champions can be a little misleading, with all five losses coming to schools from bigger classifications including three in a tournament in Hawaii over Christmas Break. Make no mistake about it, the Huskies have dominated class 1A competition, with only one game decided by single digits. Slowly getting healthy, Sherman can put five potential college players on the floor, something that is unheard of at Oregon’s small school level. 6’2 senior wing Max Martin can stretch defenses with his shooting ability, opening up driving lanes for explosive 5’11 junior point guard Jacob Justesen.
Contenders: Days Creek (22-6) Hosanna Christian (24-3)
Days Creek emerged as the champion of arguably the toughest league in the state and are driven by 6’0 2017 guard Colton Fuller. The Lions from Klamath Falls sport a victory over Days Creek and a 7 point loss to Sherman County before Christmas. Will Sorg, a crafty 5’9 senior point guard is the difference maker for Hosanna.
Darkhorse: North Douglas (20-9) Riley Swafford, a talented 2017 guard who can score in a variety of ways is the key to success for the Warriors who when motivated are viewed by coaches as the team with the best chance of matching Sherman’s athleticism.