Prospect Spotlight: Peyton Durbin (2022 West Linn)

<p>At West Linn, a lot of the attention has gone to the guys in the backcourt - and rightfully so as [player_tooltip player_id="861091" first="Jackson" last="Shelstad"] and [player_tooltip player_id="857359" first="Zeke" last="Viuhkola"] are two of the best players in the state. But how the Lions ultimately fare will go beyond that duo and [player_tooltip player_id="965014" first="Peyton" last="Durbin"] is a key component. The lanky 6-foot-6, 180-pound senior has stepped up as the key third guy in many games this season and he’s excited about what’s ahead these next couple of weeks for him and his team.</p> <p>"I feel like our season has gone really well," Durbin said. "We’re one of the best teams in the state and I feel we’ve got a really good chance at winning it. It’s the end of the season and we’re playing our best basketball. We’re just getting ready for the playoffs."</p> <p>Individually, Durbin has been a key contributor. In a recent comeback win over Tigard, with Shelstad not providing his usual offensive production, the senior elevated his game to score 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting including a three while also contributing on the boards and with his passing.</p> <p>"I’ve been progressing throughout the season," Durbin said. "My awareness on defense, just knowing where I’m at, has helped me be a leader out on the floor. I’m finding and creating my own shot, just working with my teammates trying to get wins."</p> <p>Long and lanky, as West Linn’s tallest player Durbin has done most of his work inside this season. But he projects as a wing at the next level and has the ability to shoot and create from the perimeter. Durbin is aiming to play at the college level.</p> <p>"I just want a team where I can come in and make a big impact," Durbin said. "I know I’m not going to be a star player or anything like that, but I just want a place where I can work around my teammates."</p> <p>A long post-season run will hopefully catch the eyes of college coaches. After all, that’s exactly what the goal is for Durbin and his teammates. "State champions," Durbin said. "We came in at the beginning of the year knowing we would be a really good team and we’ve been progressing with that. We’ve got a really good shot at winning it all."</p> <p>Durbin currently ranks as the #68 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2022 rankings.</p>