2019-20 6A Preview: Portland Interscholastic League

The 2018-19 season is upon us and it’s time to take a look at the top leagues in the state. We continue our previews with the Portland Interscholastic League – best known as the PIL. As always, the conference will figure heavily in the state tournament race. 2018-19 Review In general terms, it was a down year in the PIL in terms of depth. But there's no question the top teams in the league were expected to be dominant on a state-wide level that certainly was the case. Both Jefferson and Grant once again were either at or near the top of the rankings all season long and their regular season duels were more epic, sold-out affairs that added to the legendary history of the rivalry. While the Demos and Generals were by far the best teams in the league, the battle for third and post-season spots was intense between Franklin, Benson, Roosevelt, and Cleveland with things going down to the last day as Roosevelt's win over Cleveland secured a playoff berth for the Roughriders. At state, Jefferson defeated Grant in the rubber match between the two and after Grant won out in the consolation bracket, Jefferson fell just short in the championship game, losing to Jesuit in one of the biggest upsets in state title history, 71-66. State Tournament Threats Jefferson – Expectations at Jefferson are sky high and you better bet losing in the state title game for the second year in a row left a sour taste in head coach Pat Strickland's mouth. Another talented senior class moves to the college level as usual, but once again the Demos return the most talent in the league - and maybe in the state. Jefferson's size is almost unmatched as junior Nate Rawlins-Kibonge (10.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.9 bpg, .672 fg%) and Kam Robinson (10.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, .594 fg%) emerged as unstoppable forces inside and their ability to play together in the high-low is almost indefensible. Marcus Tsohonis may be gone to Washington but his absence will mean that younger players such as Lamar Washington (7.3 ppg, 2.1 apg), Trejon Williams (4.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg), and Jalen Adams (2.4 ppg) - all of whom saw time last year - will get an opportunity to step up in the backcourt. A couple of newcomers will also make an impact as KeShawn Hall comes in from Las Vegas and lauded freshman Marquis "Mookie" Cook will make his long-awaited debut. The Demos may not be as deep as last year but they could be just as talented. There are also long memories in North Portland and there will be no shortage of motivation this season. Grant – It's a new era at Grant as the long-time backcourt of Aaron Deloney (26.1 ppg, 5.6 apg) and Ty Rankin (15.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 4.2 apg) has moved on to the college ranks (Vermont and Eastern Arizona respectively). But the cupboard is hardly bare for head coach Robert Key as he has one of the deepest programs in terms of talent in the entire state to tap into. Erik Fraser (9.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, .409 3pt%) is back from the starting lineup and you can pretty much count on the senior wing to have a big year. Max von Arx (5.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .609 fg%) is another returning starter and he'll man the middle and Emanuel Steward (5.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg) has grown both physically and with his game. Newcomers will also play a big part in the success of the Generals. Tai Warner returns to the Rose City after a couple of years away and he can certainly knock down shots. Incoming freshmen Adrian Mosley and Donald Stephens Jr. - perhaps better known as "Chili" - will make an immediate impact. And even a guy like 6-foot-7 Garrett Brown comes in from the JV squad ready to knock down some threes as the Generals could be one of the best outside shooting teams in the state. Post-Season Programs Roosevelt – Head coach Yusuf Leary has continued to build the program at Roosevelt and this may be the year the Roughriders put it all together. The senior class is now well experienced and ready to really compete to not just make the post-season but win a few games. Senior guard Jayoni Moore is ready to prove he's one of the best players in the league and fellow senior Malik Kelley will once again be a force down low. Junior guard Brandon Hopson had a big summer and should shine as could talented sophomore Donatello Tupper. More seniors such as Johnathan Claxton, Jonah Williams, Ronald Harris, and Cole Tindall will all play making the Roughriders arguably the deepest team in the league. Benson – The Techmen are a bit under the radar and that's exactly how head coach Earl Clark likes it. From an individual player perspective, Cobee Crawford (12.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 apg) is most definitely well-known and he's primed to have a really big senior season. While he carry much of the offensive load he will have some help, most notably freshman Kavon Bradford, who really lit it up on the AAU circuit this summer. Don't be surprised if he scores in double digits early and often. Huxley Martin (1.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg) earned some varsity minutes and at 6-foot-8, adds size but he also can shoot it as well. Cleveland – After a bit of an up-and-down year, the Warriors barely missed out on the post-season in 2018-19. The senior class moves on but head coach Dondrale Campbell likes the group he has back. They eschewed the club scene and played together as a unit this summer and Campbell believes it will pay off. Among the returnees, starting point guard Austyn Shipps (7.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg) is ready to really emerge this season as the team leader, Mason Nehls (7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg) provides muscle underneath, and Khai Dumdeang (3.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg) adds experience. Chris Zakariya transfers in from West Linn adding more toughness to the mix. In Transition Franklin – The Quakers exceeded expectations last season by making the post-season but that bar may be a little harder to reach this year. Head coach Scott Aker does have at his disposal one of the bigger teams in the league, anchored by center Tucker Pellicci (7.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg). The 6-foot-11 center continues to develop and should be primed to have a big senior year. Joining him up front will be raw 6-foot-8 sophomore Henry Grassman and well-built 6-foot-4 senior Robel Demisse. What Aker will be searching for is who will fill the offensive void left by Taylor Pomeroy (18.0 ppg) and the emergence of senior wing Caden Wagner as a scorer may be critical. Wilson – Head coach Craig Coakley continues to build his program at Wilson and while the Trojans will be better than last season, they will still have to scrap for wins. They will be more competitive though and the key is the fact that a bunch of guys who took their lumps last season will be back including leading scorer Colin Anderson (8.9 ppg), leading rebounder Jaylan Brannan (6.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg), and leading assist men Lucas Lommen (8.1 ppg, 2.7 apg) and Leo Sewell (7.7 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.0 apg). Lincoln – It was a bit of a tough season in 2018-19 as the Cardinals struggled out of the gate and then a number of player defections left Lincoln short-handed late in the year. Still Lincoln managed to scrap out six league wins and the benefit: young players got experience. Head coach Pat Adelman's well-respected system is still in place which means he'll be getting the most out of the hard-working blue collar guys that he does have in the program such as seniors Matt Phillipi, Mike Fortner, and Levi Margolis. Madison – When head coach Chuck Matthews says this year's edition of the Senators will be among the smallest he's ever had, that's saying a lot as he's had teams in the past that featured 5-foot-11 posts. Regardless of the lack of size, you can fully expect Matthews to get most out of his squad as he always does and while on paper wins may be scarce you can bet they will battle every night. Senior Jacy Brewer, junior Rafi Ali, and sophomore Moses Farmer lead the returnees. League Predictions 1. Jefferson 2. Grant 3. Roosevelt 4. Benson 5. Cleveland 6. Franklin 7. Wilson 8. Lincoln 9. Madison Player of the Year Nate Rawlins-Kibonge, Jefferson. Typically the award for Player of the Year goes to the best player on the best team and that means that Rawlins-Kibonge is the pick. The 6-foot-7 junior was arguably the best player at the state tournament *last* year and there's no reason to believe he'll let up any. Rawlins-Kibonge has the drive and motor that's unmatched in the entire state and he's not only going to win but let you know about it as well. Expect the Washington State basketball commit to dominate the paint on both ends, racking up double-doubles as he tries to take the Demos on another championship run. All-League Predictions: Rawlins-Kibonge; Kam Robinson, Jefferson; Erik Fraser, Grant; Cobee Crawford, Benson; Malik Kelley, Roosevelt Top Sleeper/Newcomer Marquis "Mookie" Cook, Jefferson. There are some other good candidates such as Tai Warner (Grant), Adrian Mosley (Grant), and Kavon Bradford (Benson) but we're going to go with Cook who is considered one of the top players in the nation in the Class of 2023. He's already on tap to wear the coveted #1 jersey for the Demos which indicates the level of excellence that's expected out of him. The freshman swingman should be a contributor from day one and this season will give us all just a taste of what's to come the next four years. Outlook Similar to last season, the PIL will be ultra-strong at the top as both Jefferson and Grant will be state tournament and title contenders. But the overall depth of the league will be better as well as teams such as Roosevelt, Benson, and Cleveland all have talented players and experience to build upon to make a post-season run. Once again, the two Jefferson/Grant regular games will be must-see events and the rivalry will continue but games against the next three teams in the league should be more competitive. It would be a surprise if both Jefferson and Grant don't once again make the state tournament and the Demos in particular make another run at redemption and the state title.