Top 10: Oregon’s Best Small School Players
The 5a & 6a classifications tend to dominate rankings, media coverage, and buzz when it comes to Oregon high school basketball. However, the smaller schools (1a-4a) are made up of some quality teams, great players, and passionate fan bases who support their teams in all corners of the state.
Here is our list of the Top 10 prospects regardless of grade in Oregon’s small school classes:
1) Dalton Renne (6’7/Banks/2018) – Talented, long, and athletic wing who has exploded this year as much as anyone in the state, with his ability to shoot the ball to 3 point range and his explosiveness off the dribble which has resulted in over 20 dunks this season. Renne has Banks ranked in the Top 10. As he continues to mature physically and improve his lateral quickness, he will be a prospect that low level D1 teams will want to check out.
2) Zack Bernards (6’0/Dayton/2017) – The last in the line of a trio of brothers who have played for Class 3a power Dayton, Bernards is a scoring point guard that can lead a team or put up points in a hurry. Despite dealing with nagging injuries for much of his senior campaign, he has still managed to put up eye popping numbers of 29.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, & 4.5 apg while shooting over 44% from 3 point range for the #1 ranked Pirates who are on a quest to defend their state title. Bernards recently committed to NAIA national power OIT.
3) Zeke Quinlan (6’7/Life Christian/2017) – The talented forward has lead his team to a #6 state ranking while playing in the toughest 2A league in the state. Quinlan is capable of dominating physically at the 2A level and this athleticism that has college coaches drooling. He has a developing mid range game and the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim.
4) Jackson Januik (5’9/Seaside/2017) – It’s rare when the smallest player on the floor is the most dominant player, but that’s the case with this four year starting point guard and 2016 4A State Player of the Year. Januik is a true point guard in every sense of the word, who has uncanny vision and feel for the game. He has lead Seaside to the #1 ranking with season averages of 17.4 ppg, 6.5 apg, 4 rpg, to go along with 3 steals a night. As his shooting and on ball defense have improved, so has his stock with college programs. Look for Januik to find a home at one of the D3 programs in the northwest.
5) Cal Stueve (6’5/Philomath/2017) – There may be no better inside/outside player in the state than Stueve. An improved perimeter shooter who now commands attention behind the arc, regularly creates match up problems with teams that defending 4A state champion Philomath face. Stueve boasts season averages of 22 points and 6 rebounds while shooting nearly 60% from the field. His ability to post up smaller players and face up and drive by bigger defenders has colleges throughout the northwest showing interest. Look for Stueve to land at one of the great NAIA or junior college programs in our region.
6) Julian Downey (5’11/Santiam/2017) – Downey an electric point guard, spent the past two seasons playing for 5A power Silverton, earning all league honors last season. His game has translated very well to the 2A level where his ball handling, perimeter shooting, and leadership have been on full display. Along with younger brother Jonah, Downey has Santiam towards the top of the 2A rankings and in solid position for a state tournament berth.
7) Max Martin (6’2/Sherman County/2017) – In the late 80s and early 90s, 1A Sherman County was a small school power in multiple sports. Now the sons of many of the stars of that era are leading the Huskies to victory after victory. Martin, a talented wing is the senior leader of the group who is seeking to defend their 1A state title next month in Baker City. A very good shooter whose greatest characteristics may be his basketball iq and competitive nature make him an intriguing small school prospect.
8) Bo Quinlan (6’3/Life Christian/2018) – Bo, the younger of the talented Quinlan brothers has helped lead Life Christian to unprecedented levels of success. A very good perimeter shooter who hit three big third quarter three’s in Life’s victory over Bandon. His development as a player has taken some of the pressure off of Zeke and made Life a legitimate state title contender.
9) Jacob Justesen (5’10/Sherman County/2018) – This explosive lefty point guard has missed much of his junior campaign due to an injury suffered late in the football season. As he rounds back into game shape, we have to look back to a sophomore season when his elite athleticism lead the way on Sherman County’s road to the 1A state title. Justesen can best be described as a play maker with the ability to get in the paint and create plays for a group of talented teammates. On the defensive end of the floor, he is a lock down defender who always guards the other teams’ best player.
10) Jacob Adler (6’1/Catlin Gabel/2017) – Adler, who may be the best pure shooter on this list, was recently named Lewis & Clark League Player of the Year for his season where he averaged over 21 ppg while shooting almost 45% from beyond the arc. He is also a high level student who is considering his basketball and academic options at a number of high level universities.
Honorable Mention/Players to Watch:
Riley Davis (6’2/Philomath/2017); Jonah Downey (5’10/Santiam/2019); Chase Januik (6’0/Seaside/2019); Dylan Grogan (6’4/Stanfield/2017); John Morrill-Keeler (6’8/Pacific/2018); Emorej Lynk (6’3/Kennedy/2020); Payton Richardson (6’3/Western Menonite/2020); Jonathan Nchekwube (6’6/Oakridge/2019); Blake Gobel (6’7/Banks/2019)