2022-23 5A Preview: Midwestern League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 5A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. The Midwestern League has traditionally always had some of the top teams in the classification, and this season is no different. Here's how we see it turning out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>League Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Ashland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. North Eugene</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Thurston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Crater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Springfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Eagle Point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1495714' first='Izzy' last='Golden'], Ashland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-League Predictions: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110575' first='Joey' last='Banry'], North Eugene; [player_tooltip player_id='1495714' first='Izzy' last='Golden'], Ashland; [player_tooltip player_id='1079532' first='Bugsy' last='Jensen'], Churchill; [player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler'], Thurston; [player_tooltip player_id='1599522' first='Sebastian' last='Stowasser'], Ashland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1496237' first='Ty' last='Dahlin'], Crater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats:</strong> Ashland, Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Postseason Teams: </strong>North Eugene, Thurston, Crater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite losing dominant big man Egan Shields this offseason, Ashland appears to be the class of the MWL with a talented bunch of guards to go alongside a lengthy frontcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='1495714' first='Izzy' last='Golden'] (10.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, .424 3pt%) is a player we're tracking to make a huge jump this season as a deadeye shooter with a large hole to fill offensively. Look out for the senior guard to be among the league's top scorers. Additionally, the Grizzlies have two of the best defensive guards in the conference in [player_tooltip player_id='1599522' first='Sebastian' last='Stowasser'] and Sean Thompson, who each have the ability to lock down opposing perimeter players. Furthermore, alongside Golden, Stowasser is a terrific facilitator with the ability to score in a hurry. At 6-foot-7, [player_tooltip player_id='1495713' first='Silas' last='Wright'] is one of the league's most unique players, with the ability to both block shots and shoot threes, while [player_tooltip player_id='1587911' first='Azure' last='Mcnamara'] adds more length and defense to a lineup that should contend for the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Churchill remains dangerous, with a seemingly endless crop of talent that continues this winter. The Lancers return six players that started at one point or another last season, which can be a recipe for a terrific season. [player_tooltip player_id='1480858' first='Cooper' last='Case'] and Pete Pennington complete the league's sturdiest and most experienced frontcourt as players that contributed heavily a season ago. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='1315380' first='Gary' last='Le'], [player_tooltip player_id='1079532' first='Bugsy' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1485831' first='Carsen' last='Luna'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1598089' first='Max' last='Montgomery'] all figure to be fighting for minutes as guards, which creates depth that many MWL teams simply don't have. If one of these experienced players can emerge as a go-to guys, the Lancers may have a postseason run on their hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Eugene is one of our sleepers this year, with more returning production than nearly every other MWL team. The Highlanders only lost one player from their starting lineup a year ago, and the true key pieces remain. The backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1110575' first='Joey' last='Banry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1480857' first='Devon' last='Anderson'] is among the classification's most dynamic, while Ben Kitzhaber and [player_tooltip player_id='1315364' first='Jonas' last='Spencer'] are both experienced frontcourt players with notable upside. [player_tooltip player_id='1587921' first='Ethan' last='Sims'] provides great size and scoring tools for a guard at 6-foot-4, while the Highlanders possess one of the league's best starting lineups top-to-bottom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also hoping to threaten in the postseason will be Thurston, which boasts one of the top sophomores in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler']. Stiffler is a tremendous outside shooter at 6-foot-5, while his ball-handling and ability to play on the perimeter continue to improve. Assisting Stiffler throughout league play will be returning guards Walker Bonar, a stud receiver on the football team, and Hunter James, a hard-nosed facilitator. On the right night, the Colts have the ability to knock off the top teams in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Crater is forced to replace a lot of production this season, they still figure to be near the top of the league with a solid batch of younger players ready to step up. Leading this bunch is 6-foot-4 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1496237' first='Ty' last='Dahlin'] (5.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, .350 3pt%), who possesses great length at the guard position and appears fit to make a big jump in terms of production. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='1110807' first='Ashton' last='Acrey'] (5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Marcus Idiart (2.0 ppg, 1.1 rpg) both played notable minutes for the Comets last season, adding some much-needed varsity experience to a dangerous lineup that will be fighting for a playoff spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield brings back a few starters this winter, notably last season's all-league honorable mention Kalani Kapihe, who will lead the Millers from the point guard spot. Additionally, Isaiah Navarette should be a double-double threat inside, while Tanner Colter is a skilled scorer with high upside as a junior. Still, the Millers will struggle to hang with the depth of most of the other teams in the MWL this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an absolutely magical campaign a year ago, Eagle Point finds itself in rebuild mode this year, with only one player on the roster, [player_tooltip player_id='2324554' first='Peyton' last='Pierce'], with significant varsity experience. Still, the Eagles have great size for a 5A team with six players listed at 6-foot-2 or taller, which could surprise some people this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->