2022-23 5A Preview: Preseason Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 boys basketball season is upon us and there's no question that it is going to be extremely competitive at the 5A level. After watching guys play in the summer and fall and attending a number of open gyms and practices to get a closer look at everyone, here's our pre-season top ten:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. North Eugene</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the always competitive Midwestern League, the Highlanders appear to be ready for a breakout season with a large number of returning contributors. Most notably, the backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1110575' first='Joey' last='Banry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1480857' first='Devon' last='Anderson'] will be among the classification's most dangerous, while frequent starters [player_tooltip player_id='1587921' first='Ethan' last='Sims'], Ben Kitzhaber, and [player_tooltip player_id='1315364' first='Jonas' last='Spencer'] also return for the Highlanders. While many of its league foes are reloading, North Eugene is a sleeper team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Milwaukie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs bring back a very talented backcourt in [player_tooltip player_id='962734' first='Logan' last='Law'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1382425' first='Kaden' last='Harris'] to go alongside a sizable frontcourt that should be among the classification's most imposing. Law, with his ability to fill up a stat sheet, may be a dark horse to take home 5A-POY honors as the Mustangs challenge for an NWOC title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a depleted Mid-Willamette Conference, Central appears to be the early favorites behind the paint dominance of [player_tooltip player_id='1382423' first='Chase' last='Nelson'], who was a first-team all-conference selection a season ago. Matthew Quinn also returns to the Panthers' frontcourt and adds size at 6-foot-6, while combo guard Dom Castanon completes one of 5A's top trios as another returning all-conference selection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7</strong>. <strong>La Salle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team competing for the NWOC title will be the Falcons, who bring back one of 5A's top players in [player_tooltip player_id='1256716' first='Nick' last='Robertson']. The senior guard can do a little bit of everything and will certainly be in the running for league player of the year honors, while Finbar O'brien and [player_tooltip player_id='1352626' first='Cade' last='Jansen'] add even more experience to the backcourt. At 6-foot-8, Johnathan Barnes will also be a presence for the Falcons, who will likely contend for a trip to Gill Coliseum come March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Mountain View</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Behind the all-around production of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1113084' first='Quincy' last='Townsend'], the Cougars appear ready to move down to the 5A classification and be immediate contenders. [player_tooltip player_id='1484975' first='Brayden' last='Meier'] adds shooting to the backcourt, while [player_tooltip player_id='1457596' first='Ian' last='Prictor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1256720' first='Nathan' last='Hoisington'] complete one of the state's most complete lineups top-to-bottom. In the new-look Intermountain Conference, Mountain View will contend for the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Redmond</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning a solid batch of players from its magical season a year ago, Redmond also figures to be a contender in the Intermountain Conference. Led by dominant senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1382415' first='Evan' last='Otten'], the Panthers also return two other starters in crafty point guard Tanner Jones and athletic swingman Nathan Wachs. Junior guard Colton Horner will make the jump from sixth man to starter as the Panthers hope to contend in a newly-congested league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Churchill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even without former head coach Kelly Bokn, the Lancers appear to be in the mix for the 5A title yet again, as Sky Stickney adopts an incredibly deep roster capable of competing with some of the state's top teams. It's difficult to predict a starting lineup for the Lancers, but [player_tooltip player_id='1315380' first='Gary' last='Le'], [player_tooltip player_id='1598089' first='Max' last='Montgomery'], [player_tooltip player_id='1079532' first='Bugsy' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1485831' first='Carsen' last='Luna'], [player_tooltip player_id='1480858' first='Cooper' last='Case'], and Pete Pennington all played big minutes a season ago and figure to be in the mix again this winter. Even without Samaje Morgan, last season's 5A player of the year, Churchill is among the favorites in the MIdwestern League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Ashland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Grizzlies recently lost dominant big man Egan Shields to Colorado Prep, their chances to contend at the 5A level remain solid. [player_tooltip player_id='1495714' first='Izzy' last='Golden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1599522' first='Sebastian' last='Stowasser'] combine to make 5A's most cohesive backcourt, while [player_tooltip player_id='1587911' first='Azure' last='Mcnamara'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1495713' first='Silas' last='Wright'] bring noticeable length and versatility to the frontcourt. Sean Thompson completes the starting lineup as a defensive specialist for the Grizzlies, who appear to be the best defensive unit in the MIdwestern League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Wilsonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wouldn't be a 5A top ten without Wilsonville, which appears ready to contend for the state title yet again. While they lost some size in the 6-foot-7 [player_tooltip player_id='1096104' first='Tristan' last='Davis'], who transferred to Lakeridge, the Wildcats still bring back enough to be among the championship favorites. It starts with the backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1256625' first='Maxim' last='Wu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1110842' first='Kallen' last='Gutridge'], who were both all-league selections last season. At 6-foot-7, [player_tooltip player_id='1110843' first='Kyle' last='Counts'] adds length and experience to a Wilsonville lineup that replaces a lot, but will still be among the state's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Summit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Naturally, the preseason number one team in 5A is a team that moved down from the 6A classification. The Storm was the runner-up in the state's top classification a season ago, and we predict that success to be carried into this winter. Summit is forced to replace a ton of production, but there is no shortage of talent, as Boise State-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1110580' first='Pearson' last='Carmichael'] returns as one of the states most unique talents. Other returnees [player_tooltip player_id='1113082' first='Collin' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='1262377' first='Wyatt' last='Stassens'], and Charlie Crowell help make Summit 5A's deepest team, while transfer additions [player_tooltip player_id='1268430' first='Miguel' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1908818' first='Mac' last='Bledsoe'] add even more depth to a lineup that could certainly still compete in 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->