2 Way Players: Oregon’s Best Football-Basketball Guys
Now that the majority of Oregon’s high schools are a couple of weeks into their 2017 seasons, we take a look at some of the state’s best dual sport guys. Our list of 8 guys who stand out on the gridiron in the fall and the hardwoods in the winter.
Teron Bradford Guard; WR/DB Oregon City HS
The talented Bradford emerged as one of the top basketball players in the class of 2018 as a sophomore, when helped lead Oregon City to within a game of the state tournament. Since that time his focus seems to be on football, where he has garnered attention from multiple D1 programs. In both sports, he is known as a lock down defender that routinely covers the opponents’ top play makers.
Kieshon Dawkins Forward; TE West Linn HS
One of the most physically dominant match ups in the post, the 6’6 240 pound Dawkins routinely scores at will against smaller players. On the football field his combination of athleticism and strength have made him a high level tight end prospect with at least one D1 offer (Nevada). Will be interesting to see which sport he chooses in college as he has garnered interest from smaller D1 programs in basketball as well.
Tariq Harris Wing; WR Crescent Valley HS
The talented 6’4 Harris moved to Oregon from Florida prior to his junior year and had an immediate impact in both sports for the class 5A Raiders. An athletic receiver who creates match up problems for smaller defensive backs, he is equally as dangerous in transition on the basketball court. As he continues to refine his skill set in both sports, look for Harris to make some college program very happy with his competitive nature and play making abilities.
Cole Turner Forward; WR Clackamas HS
The 6’6 target was a key piece on the Cavs 6a state runner up last March and has also garnered numerous D1 offers in football including one from Oregon State. Look for the Turner to have break out seasons in both sports this year.
Bradley Bickler Forward; QB/TE Southridge HS
Long athletic forward in basketball who is active on the glass and the defensive end of the floor, but has a future in college on the football field. A starting qb for his Southridge Skyhawks team, Bickler’s 6’7 230 frame have generated a lot of interest as tight end prospect at the next level.
Jacob Justesen Point Guard; RB/LB Sherman County HS
Justesen, who is the only 1A player to make our list already has two basketball state titles on his resume and is looking to add titles in both sports this year. A hard nosed runner and defender, he has hopes of playing basketball in college. The 5’11 point guard with tremendous vision will likely start at a junior college where he can prove his ability to compete against better competition on a regular basis.
Talanoa Hufanga Wing; Athlete Crescent Valley HS
The 6’2 190 pound do everything player is considered by all major football recruiting services as one of the best athletes in the country. One of only a small handful of players in the history of Oregon to garner a 5 star ranking. On the basketball court the wing uses his raw athletic ability to positively impact the game in a big way for the Raiders who made it to the quarterfinals of the 5A state tourney last March.
Jaren Banks Guard; Safety Sheldon HS
On the basketball court, the 6’0 180 Banks, doesn’t wow you with anyone facet of his game. He just seems to find a way to make all the plays needed for his teammates to be successful on both ends of the floor. He competes with a toughness not seen a lot in modern basketball. In football, where he is garnering D1/D2 level interest as a safety, Banks uses his aggressive and physical nature to impact games for the Irish.
Teagan Quitoriano Post; TE/DE Sprague HS
Last but certainly not least on our list is the talented athlete from Salem who this summer committed to play football for the University of Oregon. It’s basketball though where he has been even more dominant as a high school athlete, leading the state of Oregon in both scoring and rebounding last year as a junior. The 6’7 240 pound big man more than held his own this summer in aau game between his Salem Hoop team and Portland Basketball Club big man Kamaka Hepa.