2022-23 5A Preview: Intermountain Conference

The 2022-23 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. With the Bend-area schools moving from 6A to 5A, the Intermountain Conference lineup has significantly changed by absorbing Summit, Mountain View, and Bend, adding Caldera, and dropping Hood River Valley (moved to the NWOC) and Crook County and The Dalles (both moved to 4A). Here's how we see it turning out.   League Predictions   1. Summit 2. Redmond 3. Mountain View 4. Bend 5. Ridgeview 6. Caldera   Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1110580' first='Pearson' last='Carmichael'], Summit   All-League Predictions: [player_tooltip player_id='1110580' first='Pearson' last='Carmichael'], Summit; [player_tooltip player_id='1085789' first='Ben' last='Keown'], Bend; [player_tooltip player_id='1113082' first='Collin' last='Moore'], Summit; [player_tooltip player_id='1382415' first='Evan' last='Otten'], Redmond; [player_tooltip player_id='1113084' first='Quincy' last='Townsend'], Mountain View   Top Sleeper/Newcomer: Mac Bledsoe, Summit   State Tournament Threats: Summit, Redmond   Other Post-Season Teams: Mountain View, Bend   Analysis   On the surface, it looks like Summit might be in rebuilding mode - after all, the 6A runner-ups lost a big talented senior class that included two of the best players in school history. But if you are familiar with the Storm roster and the program that head coach Jon Frazier has built in Central Oregon, you'd know that despite all the losses they are still a major title contender and will continue to be so every year at the 5A level. For 2022-23 there are proven players back who have been waiting their turn and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1110580' first='Pearson' last='Carmichael'] (7.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is at the front of the list. At 6-foot-7, he's long, versatile, and skilled on the perimeter and it wouldn't be surprising to see his scoring average balloon to over 20 points a game. Carmichael had a huge summer and has already made an early commitment to Boise State. [player_tooltip player_id='1113082' first='Collin' last='Moore'] (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) is also back and he's another athlete. The 6-foot-2 lefty is an outstanding leaper that plays with incredible toughness and he too could average in the high teens in scoring. Those two would be enough but the Storm also have great size in seniors Hogan Carmichael (1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg) at 6-foot-5 and [player_tooltip player_id='1262377' first='Wyatt' last='Stassens'] at 6-foot-4, junior Charlie Crowell at 6-foot-6, and 6-foot-7 junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1268430' first='Miguel' last='Taylor'], who comes in from Benson. And that's not it - athletic junior Mac Bledsoe is back at Summit after a stint in Idaho and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1426709' first='Jack' last='Bents'] is the next Storm star. Size, skill, shooting, depth - it seems that Summit has it all.   Last season was one of the best in Redmond history as the Panthers qualified for the 5A state tournament. Head coach Reagan Gilbertson has a squad this year that could repeat the feat as they have a good group coming back. It all begins with the return of his big man, [player_tooltip player_id='1382415' first='Evan' last='Otten'] (14.3 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.3 bpg, .622 fg%), who signed early with OIT. The 6-foot-10 senior, who already led 5A in rebounding last season, worked hard in the off-season to improve his offensive game and should pick up some of the points last year's leading scorer in 5A, Garrett Osborne, leaves behind. Senior guard Tanner Jones (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.0 apg) returns at the point and his floor leadership and experience is invaluable. Two other returnees that were in the rotation are senior Nathan Wachs (6.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.4 apg), a solid all-around player, and junior Colton Horner (2.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg), who will specialize in shooting the three.   Mountain View was consistently competitive in the 6A Mountain Valley Conference and like all the Bend schools now moving to the IMC, will enjoy the breaks from having to drive to Salem for games. Head coach Bob Townsend has a good amount of firepower back from last year's squad to be a post-season contender, namely his son [player_tooltip player_id='1113084' first='Quincy' last='Townsend'] (19.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, .389 3pt%) who has emerged as one of the top guards in the state. The junior is just as effective playing with the ball as he is without and is just as effective at scoring as he is distributing. He'll be a candidate for league player of the year honors. His backcourt mate, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1484975' first='Brayden' last='Meier'], is an experienced performer who can really get hot with his perimeter shooting. Up front, the Cougars are solid as senior [player_tooltip player_id='1256720' first='Nathan' last='Hoisington'] returns as a valuable rebounder, defensive standout, and glue guy, and 6-foot-6 rapidly developing junior [player_tooltip player_id='1457596' first='Ian' last='Prictor'] will be in the post to fill in for graduated older brother Tane Prictor.   The Lava Bears of Bend will be right in the mix as head coach Aaron Johnson has a veteran crew including a group of seniors that have played together for years. [player_tooltip player_id='1085789' first='Ben' last='Keown'] (14.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.9 spg, .378 3pt%) leads the way and the 6-foot-3 senior is a crafty scorer who can knock down threes or create off the dribble. He's an all-league candidate. [player_tooltip player_id='1458118' first='Caden' last='Dornhecker'] (8.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg) also returns and the senior is also capable of scoring both inside and out. Austin Baker (6.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 rpg), is the team's leading rebounder, and is another all-around player who isn't afraid of mixing it up. Christopher Doke (6.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, .350 3pt%) is the team's designated shooter and his ability to hit the three will stretch defenses.   Ridgeview head coach Jake Miller is hopeful that the undersized Ravens will still be able to battle in the revamped IMC. One guy he's happy to have back is senior Jeremiah Schwartz (12 ppg, 7 rpg), who was first team all-league last season. He's an outstanding all-around three-sport athlete who led the team in scoring and rebounding and could potentially do that again. Senior Aidan Brenneman (10 ppg, 6 rpg) will be in the post and he's another guy Miller will count on to be a double-double threat. Another senior, Peyton Zampko (8 ppg, 5 rpg), is a physical yet versatile player who plays both ends with equal vigor. Junior Zack Asplud (6.5 ppg, .320 3pt%) is back at the point for the third year and senior Colton Chastain is another player who can knock down open shots.   Caldera is the new school in town and after playing a JV schedule last season, the Wolfpack will take on a regular varsity slate. Head coach Ryan Cruz has a roster filled with sophomores and juniors chomping at the bit to compete and while experience will be limited and lumps will be taken, the hope is that the team will learn and continue to improve for the years to come.

The 2022-23 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. With the Bend-area schools moving from 6A to 5A, the Intermountain Conference lineup has significantly changed by absorbing Summit, Mountain View, and Bend, adding Caldera, and dropping Hood River Valley (moved to the NWOC) and Crook County and The Dalles (both moved to 4A). Here's how we see it turning out.