OSAA 6A Playoffs: Sleeper Teams
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OSAA has released the 6A playoff bracket, and the stage is officially set for a tightly-contested postseason. Today, we take a look at a few talented rosters that could make an unexpected run to the Chile’s Center. In order to…
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Continue ReadingOSAA has released the 6A playoff bracket, and the stage is officially set for a tightly-contested postseason. Today, we take a look at a few talented rosters that could make an unexpected run to the Chile’s Center. In order to qualify as a “sleeper team,” we deemed that a team must be seeded 12th or lower, as the top 11 teams have likelier paths to the quarterfinals. Here’s a look:
#12 Jesuit (16-8)
Coming off a red-hot February, the Crusaders are certainly a dark horse to contend for the elite eight, and ultimately, the state championship. The Metro League champions have won eight straight behind the steady play of junior combo guard Isaiah Crane Isaiah Crane 6'1" | CG Jesuit | 2023 State OR , who lately has blossomed as the go-to guy. Like clockwork, Head Coach Gene Potter has his Crusaders playing their best basketball heading into the postseason, with an impressive sweep over #8 Beaverton to show for it.
#13 West Salem (17-6)
Despite playing inconsistently in the Mountain Valley Conference, the Titans barreled through an impressive stretch of games at the Capitol City Classic in December, beating Silverton (5A #4), #8 Beaverton, and Wilsonville (5A #2). During this stretch, the balanced Titans proved they were capable of winning tournament basketball against top-notch competition. Behind the leadership of senior guard Jon Breyman, West Salem could see a similar run in the big dance.
#14 Lincoln (18-7)
With the size and talent to compete with the state’s best, the Cardinals could easily shake things up in their portion of the bracket. Moroni Seely-Roberts Moroni Seely-Roberts 6'6" | SF Lincoln | 2023 State OR has been one of the best scorers in the state this season, and his brother, Malachi Seely-Roberts Malachi Seely-Roberts 6'8" | SF Lincoln | 2023 State OR , has been similarly spectacular. These two, at 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-8 respectively, paired with the 6-foot-10 Graham Eikenberry Graham Eikenberry 6'10" | PF St Andrew’s RI | 2023 State OR at center, make the Cardinals one of the state’s lengthiest lineups, capable of flustering #3 Cleveland in the second round.
#16 Lake Oswego (13-12)
The Lakers have been somewhat inconsistent, but when Winters Grady Winters Grady 6'7" | SF Prolific Prep | 2025 #118 Nation CA-N is hot, they can compete with anyone. Despite a 13-12 record, the Lakers are the lone Oregonian team to have beaten #1 Tualatin this season, who happens to be their theoretical second-round opponent. Additionally, Lake Oswego has proven themselves with a sweep of #18 Tigard and a big win over #12 Jesuit. The Timberwolves, current championship favorites, should definitely be on upset alert if they face the Lakers for a fourth time this season.
#18 Tigard (14-9)
As the 18th seed, the Tigers may be the most underrated team in the field. The dynamic duo of twin brothers Malik Brown Malik Brown 6'0" | PG Tigard | 2023 State OR and Kalim Brown Kalim Brown 6'0" | CG Tigard | 2023 State OR has been excellent while on the floor, while the deadeye shooting of Sawyer Wolf Sawyer Wolf 6'3" | SG Tigard | 2023 State OR and Douglas Bailey Douglas Bailey 6'3" | SF Tigard | 2023 State OR makes the Tigers even more capable of getting hot in a hurry. With the full strength of a lineup that somewhat struggled with injuries during the regular season, Tigard will look to make a run this March.
#21 Sherwood (16-9)
Once again, the Bowmen have made it look easy in the Pacific Conference, coasting to their fourth straight league title. Led by the tenacious trio of Owen Caudle Owen Caudle 6'0" | PG Sherwood | 2022 State OR , Matthew Verkamp Matthew Verkamp 6'4" | SF Sherwood | 2023 State OR , and Jared Sucher, the Bowmen picked up solid wins over #28 Ida B. Wells, #29 Sunset and #30 Century throughout the season. As the 21st seed, the Pacific Conference champions are criminally underrated and capable of pulling off an upset.