2022-23 6A Preview: Southwest Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conference Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. South Medford<br>2. Grants Pass<br>3. Sheldon<br>4. North Medford<br>5. Roseburg<br>6. South Eugene<br>7. Willamette</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All Conference Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1110808' first='Boden' last='Howell'], So, South Medford (POY)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1269430' first='Jackson' last='Weiland'], Jr, South Medford<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1382416' first='Antonio' last='Orozco'], Sr, North Medford<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1382417' first='Luke' last='Leighton'], Sr, Sheldon<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1484998' first='Mason' last='Bennett'], Sr, Grants Pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1085782' first='Solomon' last='Nice'], Sr, South Eugene</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats: </strong>South Medford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Post-Season Teams:&nbsp;</strong>Grants Pass, Sheldon, North Medford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6A Southwest Conference is one of the most wide open fields in years. As many as six teams could compete for the top spot and find their way to Chiles Center in March. It will be interesting to see how things shake out as many of the top players and teams did not compete in any sort of fall league or were playing football deep into November. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Medford looks to be the most talented team in the conference with [player_tooltip player_id='1110808' first='Boden' last='Howell'] (15.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, .423 3pt%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1269430' first='Jackson' last='Weiland'] (10.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, .413 3pt%) leading the way. Coach Wightman has the panthers rolling and they have a number of tough early season match ups (Central Catholic, Summit, Lake Oswego) and a will be playing in a couple early season tournaments. How they fare early on will be a barometer for their success this season. They still might go under the radar and be that team that makes a big splash at the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grants Pass looks like the main challenger to South Medford. Over the summer their depth and competitiveness were constantly on display. [player_tooltip player_id='1484998' first='Mason' last='Bennett'] (8.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .520 fg%) looks to be very recruitable and is not on a ton of college teams radar. Ivan Islay and [player_tooltip player_id='1315390' first='Jackson' last='Polen'] give the Cavemen a great one two punch in the back court and can compete with anyone in the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a long run on the gridiron (state championship runners up), coach Eric Orton has his whole squad back in practice and ready to rebound from a down year in 21-22. The strength of the Irish roster is in the back court. [player_tooltip player_id='1110574' first='Owen' last='Cramer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1368250' first='Rocco' last='Graziano'] headline a solid group that will anchor this team as they start the 22-23 campaign. The highest upside player is [player_tooltip player_id='1382417' first='Luke' last='Leighton'] (10.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg). Leighton provides length and athleticism for a team that is loaded with guards but not on the front line. He can guard 1-5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott Plankenhorn's North Medford squad is another that could challenge for Southwest supremacy. This group doesn't have a ton of experience and they will be missing one key returner until the new year, so look for them to come on strong late in the year as they gain valuable game experience. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1382416' first='Antonio' last='Orozco'] (5.3 ppg) is the leading returning scorer, and 6'3" [player_tooltip player_id='2387908' first='Houston' last='Klug'] (1.6 ppg) and 5'11" [player_tooltip player_id='1497243' first='Andrew' last='Plankenhorn'] (1.9 ppg, 0.8 apg) headline a strong junior class for the Black Tornado. North Medford's season will hinge on their ability to defend at a high level and if they can shoot the ball well. This might be the dark horse conference championship pick. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roseburg brings back a lot of their young core from last season and head coach Jordan Humphreys is hoping to continue building their ascent up the Southwest Conference standings. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1661357' first='Mykah' last='Mendoza'] (9.7 ppg) is a crafty lefty who can really put up points in a hurry. Expect his offensive numbers to increase quite a bit and as the team's tallest player at 6-foot-3, he'll be needed on the boards and interior defense. Seniors Hunter Fullerton (5.1 ppg), Jayce Wilder (1.9 ppg) and Boston Williams all saw playing time last season and expectations are that junior [player_tooltip player_id='1457598' first='Asher' last='Vredenburg'] (2.1 ppg) will step up and lead at the point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Axe are bit of a mystery under first year coach Solomon Hill. They were up and down all summer but have the potential to compete for a playoff birth. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1085782' first='Solomon' last='Nice'] (10.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg) has all-conference talent but will need to put it all together against the likes of South Medford and Grants Pass. In the back court [player_tooltip player_id='1111369' first='Landyn' last='Bryant'] (7.7 ppg) transfers over from Sheldon and gives the Axe a solid ball screen pair with Nice. It will be interesting to see where this team ends up at the end of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Willamette is making the jump to 6A and though they have some real talent it could be a rough transition for the wolverines. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1483427' first='Mike' last='Small'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1483428' first='Shamond' last='O'Roy'] are looking to have break out year after establishing themselves this past summer and fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->