6A Playoffs First Round Predictions: “D” 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 finish our predictions with the games in the “D” bracket.</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#26 Cleveland at #7 Lake Oswego</strong></h4> <p>Cleveland and Lake Oswego are two of the hottest teams in 6A as both are riding some impressive winning streaks and there's also a subtext to this matchup as Warriors head coach Dondrale Campbell was once an assistant for Lakers head coach Marshall Cho. The friends will duel it out in what figures to be a high energy matchup. Cleveland is playing extremely well at this point and Campbell has his team really moving and sharing the ball well. Lake Oswego ran through the Three Rivers League by getting everyone to buy in by playing tough defense and the Lakers were clutch in close games. This will be a closer game than it looks given how the two teams are seeded but Lake Oswego should pull out another solid win at home.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Lake Oswego</strong></p> <p>Marshall Cho’s Lakers are amongst the hottest teams in the State, going undefeated in Three Rivers League play.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Lake Oswego</strong></p> <p>The Lakers, who went unbeaten in the TRL, will use their dynamic roster to dominate Cleveland.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Lake Oswego</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#23 Sunset at #10 South Eugene</strong></h4> <p>It came down to the end but South Eugene captured another Southwest Conference title. Unfortunately a loss late in the season to North Medford cost head coach Dave Hancock and his Axe team a chance at a top eight seed but they will certainly take the first round home game. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-harris/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-harris/">Sam Harris</a></a> earned co-SWC Player of the Year and he and fellow seniors <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-paul/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-paul/">Josh Paul</a></a> and Aidan Martin will lead the team against Sunset, which stumbled into the playoffs having lost three of their last four games. The Apollos will not be an easy out because of their perimeter attack and senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braeden-sato/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braeden-sato/">Braeden Sato</a></a> in particular is liable to get really hot from three-point range. But South Eugene seems to have the fortitude to handle that, especially in their own gym as the Axe get another win over the Apollos in their second matchup of the season.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: South Eugene</strong></p> <p>South has won eight of their last ten, as it will be a tough road match-up for Braedon Sato and company.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: South Eugene</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braeden-sato/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braeden-sato/">Braeden Sato</a></a> and the Apollos make this one close in seeking revenge against the Axe, but get bested late by South Eugene’s depth.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: South Eugene</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#18 Oregon City at #15 North Medford</strong></h4> <p>North Medford made the trip up to Portland last year, battling weather conditions and pulling off an upset win in the first round. This year head coach Scott Carpenter's team will be resting at home and have been playing well, winning eight of their last ten, led by co-SWC player of the year Jett Carpenter. Coming into town is Oregon City who started off the Three Rivers League trying to find themselves, but they have righted the ship in winning their last four games including a couple of tight road victories over Tualatin and Tigard. The seeds don't lie in this one as it could very well be the most even matchup in the first round. Expect a physical defensive battle with Oregon City making their long drive south worth it by coming home with another tight win.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Oregon City</strong></p> <p>North Medford is playing an Oregon City team with something to prove with recent wins over West Linn and Tigard.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Oregon City</strong></p> <p>Having to shake off a long drive and a tough home crowd, Oregon City should struggle offensively as the Tornados advance.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: North Medford</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#31 Newberg at #2 South Salem</strong></h4> <p>Newberg head coach Mark Brown has done an outstanding job this year, implementing a brand new wide-open style of play while incorporating a lineup filled with guys of similar size and stature. The Tigers seemed as if they played their best basketball during the middle of the league season where their only losses were to Sherwood. They staggered a bit to the finish though and now face South Salem who hasn't lost since early January and were rarely tested in league play. Head coach Travis Brown won't be emptying his bench early in this one but the Saxons should come out ahead.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: South Salem</strong></p> <p>South Salem amongst State’s hottest teams, having lost in quite a while. This game will not break that streak.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: South Salem</strong></p> <p>The Saxons’ multi-dimensional lineup won’t disappoint in round one, putting Newberg away early.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: South Salem</strong></p>