2021-22 6A Preview: Three Rivers League

<p>After a non-traditional season in 2021, the 2021-22 campaign is highly anticipated as it will be back to "normal" for just about everyone across the state.  The Three Rivers League is year after year arguably top to bottom the most competitive conference in all of 6A and this year is no different. Here’s how we see it turning out.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>League Predictions</strong></span></p> <p>1. West Linn<br /> 2. Tualatin<br /> 3. Lake Oswego<br /> 4. Tigard<br /> 5. Canby<br /> 6. Oregon City<br /> 7. Lakeridge</p> <p><strong>Player of the Year</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="861091" first="Jackson" last="Shelstad"], West Linn</p> <p><strong>All-League Predictions</strong>: Shelstad; [player_tooltip player_id="857359" first="Zeke" last="Viuhkola"], West Linn; [player_tooltip player_id="857353" first="Malik" last="Ross"], Tualatin; [player_tooltip player_id="857354" first="Noah" last="Ogoli"], Tualatin; [player_tooltip player_id="1229379" first="Alex" last="Evans"], Canby</p> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="1276627" first="Winters" last="Grady"], Lake Oswego</p> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats: </strong>West Linn, Tualatin</p> <p><strong>Other Post-Season Teams: </strong>Lake Oswego, Tigard, Canby, Oregon City</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Analysis<br /> </strong></span></p> <p>Had big man [player_tooltip player_id="857340" first="Mason" last="VanBeenen"] (10 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.6 bpg) not suffered a season-ending injury this summer, West Linn at number one in the TRL - if not the state - might have been a no-brainer. But the Lions still have [player_tooltip player_id="861091" first="Jackson" last="Shelstad"] (26.8 ppg, 4.5 apg, .610 fg%, .449 3pt%) and that’s a huge reason why we feel they should still capture the league title. The 6-foot junior guard is the odds-on favorite to be 6A Player of the Year and after adding strength and bounce this season, will likely be the most unstoppable offensive force in the state. Shelstad isn’t alone as alongside is [player_tooltip player_id="857359" first="Zeke" last="Viuhkola"] (17.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .633 fg%, .462 3pt%), a strong shooter and scorer who could also average 20 ppg. The duo represents perhaps the best one-two guard punch in the state. While head coach Eric Viuhkola doesn’t have as much size or true posts with VanBeenen gone he still has 6-foot-4ish forwards in [player_tooltip player_id="861098" first="Mark" last="Hamper"] and [player_tooltip player_id="965014" first="Payton" last="Durbin"] to provide frontcourt support and there’s a whole host of guys who will effectively play their role when in the game.</p> <p>West Linn will have plenty of competition in the TRL though, starting with Tualatin - who many feel might have the most talented roster in the conference - if not all of 6A. It all starts with the starting backcourt for head coach Todd Jukkala’s squad with seniors [player_tooltip player_id="857353" first="Malik" last="Ross"] (15.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="857354" first="Noah" last="Ogoli"] (10.8 ppg). Both guards are extremely good at getting to the basket and absolutely devastating in transition. [player_tooltip player_id="1079528" first="Peter" last="Burke"] (5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="1229383" first="Kellen" last="Hale"] (7 ppg) are tough up front and [player_tooltip player_id="1229395" first="Ashton" last="Rose"] (6 ppg) adds some size at 6-foot-7. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1256645" first="Josiah" last="Lake"] really emerged over the summer as a shooter and scorer and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1174265" first="Jaden" last="Steppe"] has serious potential. The Timberwolves have the potential to not only win the league but challenge for the 6A title.</p> <p>Don’t sleep on Lake Oswego. Head coach Marshall Cho may not have as many household names as he’s had in the past but there’s a good mix of size and skill. The senior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="1079539" first="Marcus" last="Lee"] (6.7 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="1079548" first="Carson" last="Reno"] (4.8 ppg) could be one of the most underrated in the state and both should see their scoring averages rise. Up front, the Lakers have height with 6-foot-7 [player_tooltip player_id="857348" first="Christian" last="Rowell"] (6.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and 6-foot-8 [player_tooltip player_id="1005079" first="Koa" last="Bacci"], as well as 6-foot-6 freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1276627" first="Winters" last="Grady"] who can do damage both inside and out. Winters could be the most heralded freshman at Lake Oswego since the one and only Kevin Love. Don’t forget junior [player_tooltip player_id="1256637" first="Max" last="Archambo"] either as he’s a solid all-around player and could be one of the team’s leading scorers. Cho has a senior-laden team so mistakes should be at a minimum and expect them to be playing their best basketball at season’s end.</p> <p>Tigard will once again be in the conversation for the post-season and there’s one thing that’s clear about head coach Shawn Alderman’s team - they can shoot the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="1256638" first="Douglas" last="Bailey"] is back for his junior season with a more mature body physically but his outside shooting looks as sharp as ever. The junior backcourt twins, [player_tooltip player_id="861097" first="Malik" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="861095" first="Kalim" last="Brown"], have also matured physically and can both knock down the three or get to the basket. Yet another junior in [player_tooltip player_id="1256624" first="Sawyer" last="Wolf"] has a smooth stroke and really improved over the off-season. Offense shouldn’t be a problem so the key for the Tigers may be how well they are able to rebound and defend.</p> <p>If there’s one thing Canby head coach Craig Evans is really excited about with his team this year is the fact he’s got more than one guy that can dunk the basketball. The Cougars are more athletic than in years past but don’t give up much in terms of size. The backcourt is big - [player_tooltip player_id="1229379" first="Alex" last="Evans"] (13.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 apg) is back to man the point and at 6-foot-4 and well-built, he’s a matchup nightmare for opponents. He’s fully recovered from the Achilles injury he suffered late in the year. On one of the wings is North Marion transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1079533" first="Payton" last="Meyers"], who comes in at 6-foot-6, able to equally knock down threes or finish above the rim. Football lineman standout Jacob Strand mans the middle at 6-foot-7, making Canby one of the biggest teams in the conference.</p> <p>It’s a little bit of a year in transition for Oregon City as they need to figure out how to replace the offensive production of Alex Newkirk (21.2 ppg). That’s the job of his dad, head coach Aaron Newkirk, who has on his roster not many people have - an effective post in 6-foot-6 senior [player_tooltip player_id="1229385" first="Camden" last="Fowler"] (10.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, .593 fg%) and a talented point guard to get him the ball in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1110739" first="Deon" last="Best"] (7.2 ppg, 2.5 apg). Around them are some long, lanky, and talented but inexperienced wing/forwards in 6-foot-6 Brayden Welch, 6-foot-5 Dylan Westermeyer, and 6-foot-5 Noah Neal. One thing that’s for sure is the Pioneers will come to compete every night.</p> <p>One thing’s for sure with Lakeridge - they will certainly not go winless this season. Head coach David Duong is now in his second year and while there will still be a bunch of bumps in the road, the future is looking promising for the Pacers. Junior guards Jack Ulwelling and Colby Ackerman should be key contributors as will solid shooter Ethan Eckard. Still-growing big man Cole Holum has potential.</p>