League play heats up: Previewing Tuesday’s biggest games
Most teams have a couple of league games under their belt and standings are beginning to take shape. Here’s a breakdown of the top 5 matchups around the state on Tuesday.
(Pictured: West Salem’s Kyle Greeley might be the best pure scorer in Oregon.)
Lake Oswego (8-3) at West Linn (6-4), 7 p.m.
Outlook: Although early in the year, this game could definitely have Three Rivers League title implications. Both teams are 2-0 in league play and might be the best two teams in the TRL (apologies to 10-2 Tualatin). The Lakers have quality wins over Windward (Cali.), Jesuit and Clackamas while their losses have come to undefeated Skyview (Wash.), Grant and West Salem. They’ll be led by sharpshooting junior Josh Angle and 6-foot-5 senior forward J.R. Schilling. All of West Linn’s losses have come to out of state teams and the Lions could argue that they’re as talented as anyone in the state. Look for 6-foot-7 senior lefty Keishon Dawkins to have a big game inside, watch out for point guard Drayton Caoile, and keep tabs on two of the most talented sophomores in the state: Micah Garrett and Bryson Crockett.
Prediction: West Linn
West Salem (8-4) at Sprague (9-2), 6:45 p.m.
This is a matchup those in Salem may have had circled on the calendar for awhile. The top two teams in the Greater Valley Conference a year ago each returned their best player–both of whom are candidates for 6A Player of the Year after being named co-GVC players of the year in 2017. Sprague’s Teagan Quitoriano (a Duck football commit) is as dominant a player as you’ll find in the state. The 6-foot-7 mammoth is a handful inside, but can also shoot threes. Sheesh. The Titans boast Kyle Greeley, a 6-foot-5 Portland State commit. Point to a spot on the floor and Greeley can score from there. When his fadeaway mid-range jumper is falling, he is unstoppable. Also look out for West Salem’s 6-foot-7 shooter, Tyke Thompson, and Sprague athlete Jailen Hammer.
Prediction: Sprague
Lincoln (9-3) at Jefferson (9-2), 7:15 p.m.
Jefferson comes off the most dramatic game of the OSAA season, an 81-80 overtime win over Grant. They’ll hope tonight’s game isn’t so close. A good matchup to watch will be Lincoln’s Bryce Sloan and Jefferson’s Marcus Tsohonis. The athletic, long guards will spearhead the offense for each team. Lincoln’s bigs (Aidan Anastas and Addison Phillips) will have their toughest assignment of the season in slowing down Kamaka Hepa, the best player in Oregon. If Lincoln isn’t careful, Hepa and fellow big Khalil Chatman will dominate inside and post some highlight reel dunks. The Cardinals will have to play flawless basketball to keep it close.
Prediction: Jefferson
Silverton (8-1) at Crescent Valley (5-5), 7 p.m.
Silverton, the No. 1 team in 5A according to the OSAA rankings, will play at defending Mid-Willamette Conference champion Crescent Valley. The best player in the game might be Crescent Valley’s 6-foot-5 wing Tariq Harris, the defending league player of the year. Harris has multiple football offers, plus at least one Juco basketball offer. However, an argument could be made that Silverton’s Cade Roth is as good or better than Harris. Also 6-foot-5, he can shoot it from deep. Keep your eyes on Silverton sophomore David Gonzalez, too. He’s a terrific point guard.
Prediction: Silverton
Westview (7-5) at Jesuit (8-4), 7:15 p.m.
OK, OK it’s not on Tuesday, but that’s only because the Metro League is playing their mid-week games on Wednesday this week. Both teams are coming off huge victories on Friday. Westview, which went 0-4 against Beaverton last year, topped the Beavers and Jesuit surprised Metro League favorite Southridge with a comeback victory. On Wednesday, if the Wildcats are to pull off a road upset, they’ll need a big game from 6-foot-10 Jack Poling, a D-III commit to Pacific Lutheran. Jesuit’s top players are senior lefty shooter Matt Lang and 6-foot-6 senior Joe Wall.
Prediction: Jesuit