LSI The Eight: Top Performers
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In its second year, the Les Schwab Invitational The Eight tournament once again had a solid field of participants. In the finals, Mt. Spokane rode the back of their stud big man Tyson Degenhart to capture the championship, 75-57, over…
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Continue ReadingIn its second year, the Les Schwab Invitational The Eight tournament once again had a solid field of participants. In the finals, Mt. Spokane rode the back of their stud big man Tyson Degenhart to capture the championship, 75-57, over two-time participant Pacifica Christian.
A number of top players and teams from both inside of Oregon and out were in the event and here’s a look at the All-Tournament team.
Tyson Degenhart (2021 Mt Spokane)
Degenhart was named MVP of the tournament and it had to be have been a unanimous decision – even if Mt. Spokane hadn’t come away with the title. It’s clear that Boise State got an early steal with the 6-foot-8 junior as he had as dominating a three-game performance as we’ve seen from a big man in recent memory. Degenhart was a walking bucket – for the tournament he averaged 29.3 points on .736 field goal shooting – and simply could not be stopped around the hoop. He would find his spot on the block, get the ball, and as if he already knew where he was going with the ball, would make a quick move and the next thing you know the ball was going through the net. Not everything was at the basket either as Degenhart also faced up and knocked down some mid-range jumpers. He rebounded well, held his position defensively, and played great team basketball. With him in the lineup, Mt. Spokane will be a factor in the Washington 3A state race.
Houston Mallette (2021 Pacifica Christian)
Mallette is a long, lanky, and athletic 6-foot-5 junior who played both at the point and on the wing for Pacifica Christian during The Eight. We were definitely impressed with what we saw, although in the semifinals things definitely started out slowly for him against Sunset as he couldn’t buy a bucket. But after halftime, Mallette exploded offensively. He caught fire from three, was converting athletic drives to the hoop, and started to click with his passing. When it was all said and done, he ended up scoring 24 points in the half and Pacifica Christian was off to the finals. The owner of several Division I offers, it will be interesting to see if he ends up going to a high-major school or if he goes more of the mid-major route.
Judah Brown (2020 Pacifica Christian)
This was the second time we had seen Brown having remembered him well from last year’s performance at The Eight. The 6-foot-8 senior is long and lanky and is a tremendous run-and-jump athlete and he ran the floor all night long at the event. Brown isn’t just a dunker though as he possesses a very nice looking face-up jumper out to the three-point line and he can put the ball on the floor a little to create. His game is definitely more finesse rather than brute force though, but he competed well on the boards and defensively. Brown has already signed with St. Mary’s.
Drew Carter (2021 Tigard)
As if it isn’t already painfully obvious, we’ll say it now – hands down, Carter is the top football-basketball dual sport athlete in the state of Oregon. He helped light up the scorebook as a football quarterback, the 6-foot-3 junior is now doing it on the basketball court. Always a great shooter – he has textbook form, elevation, and rotation on his jumpshot – Carter has now embraced more of a scorer-type role and it’s resulted in him being one of the top scorers in the state. At The Eight he took it hard to the hole, absorbed contact, and finished at the rim. He’s proven himself as a Division I basketball player, the only question will be if he decides to go that route.
Payton Richardson (2020 Western Christian)
Western Christian didn’t end up winning a game at The Eight, but it certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying – especially on Payton Richardson’s part. The 6-foot-3 swingman had it going from everywhere on the court, including from three-point range, the area in which he’s been working hardest on this season. Richardson is a tremendous run-and-jump athlete and it will be interesting to see how he will be used next season at Seattle Pacific.
George Sadi (2020 De La Salle North)
While watching Sadi perform at The Eight, we were sitting with an NWAC coach who was openly wondering if Sadi could play in their league. Our response – absolutely, if not at an even higher level. The 5-foot-9 guard can straight up score the basketball and with the exception of De La Salle North’s second game in which nobody could put the biscuit in the basket, Sadi was flat out unstoppable. He used his soccer speed and quickness to excel in transition and there may be no better finisher for his size in the state.
Reece Arenz (2020 Sunset)
The winner of the “Mr. Hustle” award at The Eight, Arenz has slowly become arguably Sunset’s most consistent player this season. Don’t be fooled by his boyish looks or slightish frame, the 6-foot-1 senior is actually hard as nails and he’ll kill you with his jumpshot. Arenz was knocking down open looks all tournament long from mid and long range, but he was more than just a catch-and-shoot guy. The combo guard was tough on the glass, playing hard in the man-to-man, and hitting the floor taking charges – making his earning of the Mr. Hustle award definitely well-deserved.