Les Schwab Invitational Preview: Part One
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This week, Liberty High School plays host to some of the best high school basketball teams across the country as the 26th annual Les Schwab Invitational gets underway. Starting Monday afternoon, four out-of-state teams and twelve Oregonian teams will duke…
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Continue ReadingThis week, Liberty High School plays host to some of the best high school basketball teams across the country as the 26th annual Les Schwab Invitational gets underway. Starting Monday afternoon, four out-of-state teams and twelve Oregonian teams will duke it out for one of the premier holiday basketball titles in the nation, and today we’ll preview the action.
Typically speaking, the Les Schwab Invitational is a recipe for some awesome matchups, both inter and intra-state. This year will be no different, as three perennial national powers provide an opportunity for Oregonian teams to measure how they stack up on the national scene. Conversely, the traveling out-of-state teams will get a sniff of the consistency and capability of local basketball in Oregon.
There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s get into it:
Day One Games to Watch:
Lincoln vs. Tigard
Arguably the hottest team in Oregon, Lincoln, gets an early test in this matchup with another talented group. Both teams enter this game having won a combined nine straight games, while Lincoln remains as one of only three undefeated 6A teams.
Roosevelt vs. Tualatin
Roosevelt, having only played in the Hardwood Invite in Washington so far this season, gets another dose of tournament basketball this week starting with a talent-rich Tualatin team. Both squads feature immense depth and the ability to score in a hurry. Quite simply, this round one matchup is an Oregonian blockbuster. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see these teams duking it out again at the Chile’s Center come March.
West Linn vs. Barlow
This day one matchup features two of the top guards in the state, as super sophomore Jalen Atkins Jalen Atkins 6'2" | SG Barlow | 2025 State OR and his Bruins take on Jackson Shelstad Jackson Shelstad 6'0" | PG West Linn | 2023 State #55 Nation OR and West Linn. In terms of one-on-one battles, Atkins against Shelstad is about as enticing as it gets across the state.
Day One Picks:
Lake Oswego 55, Central Catholic 53
Lincoln 71, Tigard 61
Tualatin 75, Roosevelt 74 (OT)
West Linn 74, Barlow 61
Oregon Stars to Watch:
Jalen Atkins Jalen Atkins 6'2" | SG Barlow | 2025 State OR (2025 Barlow) – all-around scoring combo guard; offensive engine of the Bruins; terrific motor
Kalim Brown Kalim Brown 6'0" | CG Tigard | 2023 State OR (2023 Tigard) – outstanding scorer, especially from outside; smooth in transition
Malik Brown Malik Brown 6'0" | PG Tigard | 2023 State OR (2023 Tigard) – true point guard with terrific playmaking skills; established three-point shooter
Isaac Carr Isaac Carr 6'3" | CG Central Catholic | 2025 State #75 Nation OR (2025 Central Catholic) – shooting guard with good size at a true 6-foot-3; all-around scoring tools
Jalen Childs Jalen Childs 6'3" | PG Beaverton | 2023 State OR (2023 Beaverton) – explosive slasher/finisher; great vision, makes plays for his teammates; college-ready frame; outstanding defensively
Jackson Cooper Jackson Cooper 6'5" | SF Cleveland | 2023 State OR (2023 Cleveland) – great motor; plays big for his size at 6-foot-5; noticeable touch
Isaiah Crane Isaiah Crane 6'1" | CG Jesuit | 2023 State OR (2023 Jesuit) – shifty point guard; crafty off the dribble, passing; good touch from all three levels
Graham Eikenberry Graham Eikenberry 6'10" | PF St Andrew’s RI | 2023 State OR (2023 Lincoln) – handful inside at 6-foot-10; active on the glass, posting up; good touch with both hands
Winters Grady Winters Grady 6'7" | SF Prolific Prep | 2025 #118 Nation CA-N (2025 Lake Oswego) – D1 size for a perimeter player at 6-7; scores in flurries; prominent mid-range/pull-up game
Vashon Hardges Vashon Hardges 6'2" | CG Grant | 2024 State OR (2024 Grant) – explosive athlete; can score in bunches, get hot from outside
Josiah Lake Josiah Lake 6'1" | PG Tualatin | 2023 State OR (2023 Tualatin) – elite all-around scorer; very shifty off the bounce; outstanding feel
Utrillo Morris Utrillo Morris 5'8" | PG Roosevelt | 2024 State OR (2024 Roosevelt) – shifty/explosive guard with a great feel; terrific passer/playmaker; can finish through/around contact with either hand, defend larger players
Adrian Mosley Adrian Mosley 6'2" | SF West Linn | 2023 State #269 Nation OR (2023 West Linn) – quick first step off the dribble; great slasher; very hard to stay in front of
Malachi Seely-Roberts Malachi Seely-Roberts 6'8" | SF Lincoln | 2023 State OR (2023 Lincoln) – noticeable guard skills at 6-foot-8; great playmaker for his size
Moroni Seely-Roberts Moroni Seely-Roberts 6'6" | SF Lincoln | 2023 State OR (2023 Lincoln) – powerful on the dribble drive, crafty finisher inside, can score from all over the floor
Jackson Shelstad Jackson Shelstad 6'0" | PG West Linn | 2023 State #55 Nation OR (2023 West Linn) – all-around star; explosive athlete; high basketball IQ; limitless motor; can knock down/finish very difficult shots
Jaden Steppe Jaden Steppe 6'8" | SF Tualatin | 2024 State #289 Nation OR (2024 Tualatin) – terrific size on the wing at 6-foot-8; strong/shifty ball-handler; multi-level scorer, defensive presence
Chance White Chance White 6'0" | CG Roosevelt | 2024 State OR (2024 Roosevelt) – excellent at creating his own shot; can take occasional point guard duties; all-around scorer
Chance Winter Chance Winter 6'10" | C Beaverton | 2024 State OR (2024 Beaverton) – solid athlete at 6-foot-11; excels as a rim protector; runs the floor well