5A Playoffs: First Round Predictions (Part One)

<p>The 5A postseason is upon us, and 16 teams across the state are preparing to fight for a trip to Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Headlining the field is a combination of established powerhouses and eager newcomers, both of whom have their sights set on a state championship. </p> <p>Here’s part one of our first round predictions:</p> <p><b>#16 Crescent Valley @ #1 Churchill</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After a dominant regular season campaign, the Lancers’ first round match-up should serve as no more than a tuneup for the state tournament in Corvallis. Elite facilitator </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="625635" first="Silas" last="Bennion"]</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will run the show at point, and Churchill’s abundance of weapons should have no trouble outing the likes of </span><b>Wes Raab</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="855969" first="Justin" last="Hamilton"].</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Look out for deep-range deadeye </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="841404" first="Isaiah" last="Wallace"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">to hit some big shots to build the Lancer lead early. </span><b><i>Prediction: Churchill, 88-48</i></b></p> <p><b>#9 Milwaukie @ #8 Crook County</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Intermountain Conference co-champions will look to advance to Gill Coliseum for the first time in recent memory behind their great size. </span><b>Caleb Arnold </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">should be the best frontcourt player in the matchup, but Milwaukie’s depth and athleticism at the guard position will still cause issues for the history-writing Cowboys. Expect the Mustangs to pull away late behind the offensive prowess of </span><b>Colton Corder. </b><b><i>Prediction: Milwaukie, 71-65</i></b></p> <p><b>#12 Springfield @ #5 West Albany</b></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="642058" first="Trey" last="Bryant"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">and the Millers finished fourth in the toughest 5A league, and although they face a talented opponent in the first round, they should keep things close throughout. </span><b>Marcel Hill </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><b>Anthony Hill </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">complete a great defensive backcourt that should keep the Millers in the game. Nonetheless, </span><b>TJ Zimmerman </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">will come up big as a paint presence for West, and the Bulldogs should move on in a tight one. </span><b><i>Prediction: West Albany, 54-50</i></b></p> <p><b>#13 Corvallis @ #4 Wilsonville</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="625636" first="Jasper" last="Reinalda"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">will get his fair share of rebounds and buckets for the Spartans inside, Wilsonville remains too talented to take out in the first round. Led by an elite senior class, the Wildcats are obviously among the state title favorites. </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="535841" first="Gabe" last="Reichle"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">will be dominant as a crafty playmaker, and </span><b>[player_tooltip player_id="535836" first="Dakota" last="Reber"] </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">should have some highlight plays as the Wildcats run away with this one in the second half. </span><b><i>Prediction: Wilsonville, 67-49</i></b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>