2022-23 5A Preview: Northwest Oregon Conference

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 Northwest Oregon Conference (NWOC) 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.   League Predictions   1. Wilsonville 2. La Salle 3. Milwaukie 4. Putnam 5. Parkrose 6. Hillsboro 7. Canby 8. Hood River Valley 9. Centennial   Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1256716' first='Nick' last='Robertson'], La Salle   All-League Predictions: [player_tooltip player_id='1256716' first='Nick' last='Robertson'], La Salle; [player_tooltip player_id='1110842' first='Kallen' last='Gutridge'], Wilsonville; [player_tooltip player_id='962734' first='Logan' last='Law'], Milwaukie; [player_tooltip player_id='1547066' first='Chase' last='McDonald'], Putnam; [player_tooltip player_id='1256625' first='Maxim' last='Wu'], Wilsonville   Top Sleeper/Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='1450155' first='Aidan' last='Kelly'], La Salle   State Tournament Threats: Wilsonville, La Salle   Other Post-Season Teams: Milwaukie, Putnam   Analysis   Surprise, surprise - Wilsonville looks to be the head of the class once again the Northwest Oregon Conference. Head coach Chris Roche won't have as much size at his disposal - 6-foot-7 [player_tooltip player_id='1096104' first='Tristan' last='Davis'] was scheduled to return but he transferred to Lakeridge in a football-based decision - but there's still plenty of big-time talent and production returning for the Wildcats. [player_tooltip player_id='1110842' first='Kallen' last='Gutridge'] (10.8 ppg, 3.7 rp,g, 2.9 apg) was the team's leading scorer last season and the junior wing has improved his jumper and athleticism over the off-season. He's a tremendous all-around athlete who led Wilsonville to the 5A state title game as the starting quarterback. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1256625' first='Maxim' last='Wu'] (8.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, .373 3pt%) earned second team All-State honors last season and is one of the toughest defensive guards in the state. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1110843' first='Kyle' last='Counts'] (7.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.6 apg) at 6-foot-8 has the size of a big man but is skilled enough to operate just as effectively from the perimeter. The key is who else can step up their production. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1110844' first='Nick' last='Colyer'] (0.8 ppg) projects as a starter but everything else is a bit of an unknown.   La Salle just barely missed the state tournament last year but has the returning production and experience to take that next step. Head coach Sean Kelly has his top gun back in [player_tooltip player_id='1256716' first='Nick' last='Robertson'] (18.2 ppg) who flirted with leading the state in scoring at some points during the season. The senior can do a bit of everything in addition to scoring as he's a capable floor leader and rebounder for his size. The majority of last year's supporting cast is also back, making the team senior-dominated. Finbar O'Brien and [player_tooltip player_id='1352626' first='Cade' last='Jansen'] are experienced players and work hard on both ends. Up front, 6-foot-8 senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1315406' first='Jonathan' last='Barnes'] improved over the summer and he'll get help from junior football standout Grant Ellison and 6-foot-5 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1450155' first='Aidan' last='Kelly'], the coach's son. Coach Kelly likes to play up-tempo and use a lot of different players, so look for the Falcons to push the pace and score points.   Another team with a lot of returning production is Milwaukie as the graduation losses were minimal for head coach Donny Law. The Mustangs will be led by his son, senior [player_tooltip player_id='962734' first='Logan' last='Law'] (21.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.5 apg) who is as good a scoring point guard as they come in 5A. His partner in crime in the backcourt is fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1382425' first='Kaden' last='Harris'] (14.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg) who can not only hit perimeter shots but use his strength to score inside as well. Milwaukie has something many NWOC opponents don't and that's size. 6-foot-5 senior Carter Sprague and 6-foot-7 senior Dylan Geske are both back and are capable rebounders and defenders. The Mustangs will shoot early and often and should be able to run with anyone.   One thing Putnam doesn't have is size but they will certainly create mismatches with their guard play. Head coach Gregg Griffin plans on playing many of his guards all at once and they're all guys that are solid shooters and ball-handlers that are good about sharing the basketball with one another. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1547066' first='Chase' last='McDonald'] will man the point and junior Lennon Greenleaf can score as well as pass. A couple of sophomores in guard Jaxson Spafford and athletic wing Jaiden Pickett should also get plenty of playing time.   Making the playoffs is something Parkrose head coach Donell Morgan is used to doing and he feels the Broncos have the talent to get it done to make up for missing the post-season last year. Point guard KuVarie Davis is the leader of the team and his tough-as-nails attitude exudes to the rest of the team. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1266107' first='KaMar' last='Benbo'] is an outstanding athlete and scorer and has the potential to really emerge as a force.   Hillsboro was essentially a two-man team with Logan Jackson and Leron Richards last year, but both have moved on - as has former head coach Mark Ganter. New head coach Sam Kem will try to regroup the Spartans behind some juniors with returning experience such as returning starter and sharpshooter Andrew Hancock and post Ezra Kuhlman. Wing [player_tooltip player_id='1112939' first='Saxton' last='Troupe'] also got some playing time last season and Jorge Diaz is a wing/post that will figure into the mix.   It's a fresh start for Canby in 2022-23 as the Cougars not only drop down to 5A but also do so with a new head coach in Matt Taylor. There's also a near complete overhaul of the roster as well and only a handful of players are back with varsity experience - senior guard Connor Gensman, junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2324562' first='Dallas' last='Michel'], and junior forward Trevin Slagle. Of the newcomers, junior Joe Scott and freshman point guard Jaxon Lawson are ones to watch. It may be a rebuilding year for the Cougars but the youth program - something Taylor was involved in for years - has traditionally been strong.   Hood River Valley was senior-dominated last season but three guys who got some minutes here and there return for head coach Christopher Dirks. Senior guard Isaiah Poole (2.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.2 apg) was a captain last season and his leadership will once again be key. Other returnees that swung JV last season are juniors Ethan Rivera (3.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Sawyer Clemett (1.5 ppg, 0.9 rpg), senior Sam Fauth, and sophomore Zak Poole.   Centennial is starting from scratch again but new head coach Demetrius McQuam is hoping the brand-new start in 5A will help the Eagles become more consistently competitive. Three guys scheduled to be back from last season that showed the ability to score are all seniors - wing Hayden Boyd, wing Jalen Cox, and forward Ethan Klindt.

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 Northwest Oregon Conference (NWOC) 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.