Capitol City Classic – Quick Look

The 2022 Capitol City Classic kicks off on Friday night and the field is as stacked as it’s ever been in the history of the tournament. 13 of the top in-state teams in classes 6A down to 2A are in the event and their rosters are filled with potential college players all the way to Division I prospects.

Here’s a quick look at the teams and players to watch (teams listed alphabetically):

Beaverton – The Beavers enter the Cap City Classic as one of the heralded teams from in-state. Head coach Andrew Vancil has seen his squad already post some quality wins, and four guys are already averaging double figures – seniors Jalen Childs Jalen Childs 6'3" | PG Beaverton | 2023 State OR and Brady Rice Brady Rice 6'2" | SG Beaverton | 2023 State OR and juniors Aidan Rice Aidan Rice 6'2" | PG Beaverton | 2024 State OR and Max Elmgren Max Elmgren 6'0" | CG Beaverton | 2024 State OR . Junior big man Chance Winter Chance Winter 6'11" | C Beaverton | 2024 State OR has already made an impact with his rebounding and shot blocking ability.

Canby – New head coach Matt Taylor has the Cougars playing a fast tempo and senior Connor Gensman Connor Gensman 6'1" | SG Canby | 2023 State OR has benefitted the most. The all-around guard currently ranks as one of the top scorers in 5A.

Cascade – Last year’s 4A champs returns to the Capitol City Classic and could sneak away with some more wins. Sophomore guard Landon Knox Landon Knox 5'10" | CG Cascade | 2025 State OR and his scoring ability has been ingrained into the system without any problem and the Horne twins, Spencer Horne Spencer Horne 5'10" | CG Cascade | 2023 State OR and Samuel Horne Samuel Horne 5'10" | CG Cascade | 2023 State OR are grizzled veterans.

Central – The pre-season favorites of the Mid-Willamette Conference and one of the top teams in 5A, the Panthers may be a tough out in the event. Head coach Dean Sanderson has one of the top big men in the state in senior Chase Nelson Chase Nelson 6'5" | PF Central | 2023 State OR .

Gresham – The Gophers come in fresh off a big win over Lake Oswego. The Gophers are anchored by their guards with seniors Esyah Pippa White, Scotty Riddle Scotty Riddle 6'0" | PG Gresham | 2023 State OR , Marcus McKinney Marcus McKinney 6'0" | CG Gresham | 2023 State OR , and junior RJ Alexander. All four of these guys can score and new head coach Corey Lockhart is using the team’s speed to their advantage.

Regis – The smallest school in the field but that might be to the Rams advantage. Head coach Jason Koehnke has a squad that’s actually considered one of the top contenders in 2A and a couple of shifty guards to watch – senior Diego Aguilar Diego Aguilar 5'10" | PG Regis | 2023 OR and one of his sons, sophomore Isaiah Koehnke Isaiah Koehnke 6'0" | CG Regis | 2025 State OR .

Sherwood – It’s been a tough schedule so far for head coach Rahim Tufts and the Bowmen, but the team is already battle tested. The status of star guard Jared Sucher Jared Sucher 6'4" | SG Sherwood | 2023 State OR is still in the air, but seniors Matthew Verkamp Matthew Verkamp 6'4" | SF Sherwood | 2023 State OR and Breyan Kelly Breyan Kelly 6'2" | CG Sherwood | 2023 State OR have risen to the occasion in the scoring department thus far.

Silverton – Head coach Tyler Allen is basically starting fresh at Silverton but expect them to be in the 5A mix by the end of the year. Early on, Evan Good and Eli Haugen are some of the names who have stepped up with their play.

South Salem – The Saxons are aiming to be one of the best teams in the Central Valley Conference. Even though the team is relatively young, head coach Travis Brown has some experienced players and a fast paced offense led by junior Eli Gabriel Eli Gabriel 6'2" | CG South Salem | 2024 State OR .

Sprague – The Olympians are essentially a new squad but head coach Jordan Graneto is slowly figuring out the right mix for success. In particular, senior Liam Spencer has stepped up early with his scoring to lead the team and sophomore Jarod Stanley Jarod Stanley 6'2" | PG Sprague | 2025 State OR has plenty of potential.

West Linn – The pre-season #1 6A squad comes into the Capitol City Classic as the Oregon to beat. Returning state player of the year Jackson Shelstad Jackson Shelstad 6'0" | PG West Linn | 2023 State #55 Nation OR has been nothing short of brilliant so far and Adrian Mosley Adrian Mosley 6'2" | SF West Linn | 2023 State #269 Nation OR has done plenty of damage as well for new head coach Rob Key. A potential 6A title game preview could happen in the second round between the Lions and Beaverton.

West Salem – The defending champs have been battling injury so far this season and haven’t quite gotten into rhythm. While big man Trenton Ferguson will not be available, junior guards Connor Oertel Connor Oertel 6'3" | SG West Salem | 2024 State OR and Jackson Leach Jackson Leach 5'10" | PG West Salem | 2024 State OR and senior Tommy Slack Tommy Slack 6'1" | CG West Salem | 2023 State OR will continue to carry the load for head coach Travis Myers.

Wilsonville – One of the annual stalwarts in the event, head coach Chris Roche’s Wildcats should once again challenge to make at least the semifinals. Junior Kallen Gutridge Kallen Gutridge 6'4" | SG Wilsonville | 2024 State OR has been piling up the points, senior Maxim Wu Maxim Wu 6'0" | PG Wilsonville | 2023 State OR is running the show, and junior Kyle Counts Kyle Counts 6'7" | PF Wilsonville | 2024 State OR has been starting to dominate.