6A Playoffs First Round Predictions: “C” Quadrant

<p>The 6A Playoffs kick off on Wednesday night with first round games and we will take our best shot at predicting just who will advance to the second round. We continue with the games in the “C” bracket.</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#30 Sandy at #3 Jefferson</strong></h4> <p>Jefferson comes into the OSAA playoffs as the #3 seed but the truth of the matter is most of the state considers the Demos the favorites. Considering head coach Pat Strickland's team has been in the OSAA 6A title game the past three years, it's certainly not far-fetched. His talent laden squad just tore through the PIL undefeated and five guys are averaging double figures in points. They open the post-season by welcoming in Sandy, who has made the post-season both their years in 6A. Head coach Jason Maki got a preview of Jefferson scouting the team late in the year and knows what he's up against, but even with high-scoring guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/pierce-roeder/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/pierce-roeder/">Pierce Roeder</a></a> knocking down threes, the task of staying with the Demos for 32 minutes seems an awfully tall task.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Jefferson</strong></p> <p>Jefferson looks to make their way back to the championship game, with a chip on their shoulder.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Jefferson</strong></p> <p>Perhaps the favorite going in, the Demos will handle business easily with mismatches all over the floor.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Jefferson</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#19 Gresham at #14 Sherwood</strong></h4> <p>These two teams come into this game on seemingly different trajectories. Gresham was one of the surprises in the state early in the season but late in the year has stumbled, only winning two of their last six games. Sherwood on the other hand ran the table in the Pacific Conference and hasn't been tested much less lost since losing to Oregon City in early January. Head coach Rahim Tufts should have his team prepared and ready to go and look for a high-scoring affair with plenty of threes with the Bowmen coming out on top.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Sherwood</strong></p> <p>Gophers will surprise Sherwood on the road, showing why they are amongst the State’s sleepers.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Gresham</strong></p> <p>The Bowmen’s incredibly formidable home court will stay strong in this first round, as they break it open in the second half against a solid Gresham team.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Sherwood</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#22 Grants Pass at #11 Westview</strong></h4> <p>These two teams met earlier in the year when Westview made the trip down I-5 to tackle Grants Pass and South Medford. They won both, beating the Cavemen by 10. Now head coach Mike Wolf's team heads into the playoffs as one of the most dangerous teams in the state, especially at their seed. Westview has won their last four games - three of which were on the road including at previously undefeated Jesuit. Grants Pass Tyler York has a team that can knock down the three but we're not quite sure that will be enough to knock off the Wildcats after making the long trip up north on a school night.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Westview</strong></p> <p>Grants Pass will struggle with Westview, who are battle tested, with wins over Beaverton and Sunset recently.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Westview</strong></p> <p>The athletic Wildcats will dominate early and often against the Cavemen, who stumble into the postseason out of the SWC.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Westview</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#27 West Salem at #6 Barlow</strong></h4> <p>The story of the Barlow Bruins can be divided into two parts. Prior to New Year's day, head coach Tom Johnson's squad was struggling to find themselves and senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jesse-white/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jesse-white/">Jesse White</a></a> in particular was really struggling. But after the turn into 2020 the Bruins have been one of the top teams in the state. White righted the ship and has been unstoppable on offense, leading the state in scoring, and Barlow enters the post-season having won 13 games in a row and 16 of their last 17. West Salem hobbled to the end of the year, largely due to missing leading scorer <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-scoggin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-scoggin/">Justin Scoggin</a></a>. The senior returned for the last game of the year but it probably won't be enough on Wednesday night.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Barlow</strong></p> <p>West Salem has been struggling with the injury of Scoggin, who recently returned. The tandem of Inglesby and White will have them on their toes all night.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Barlow</strong></p> <p>Perhaps the hottest team in the field should handle business against the underrated but outmatched Titans.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Barlow</strong></p>