Way Too Early Class 3A Top Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summer school and AAU club basketball has all completed and as fall league approaches, we thought we'd go over our notes and start taking a look at the 2023-24 season. Rosters obviously won't be settled until late November and there is still plenty of transfer action bound to happen, but here's a way-too-early look at our pre-season top five teams in 3A (listed alphabetically).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cascade Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This list of teams is sorted alphabetically, but when you are talking about 3A it likely begins and ends with Cascade Christian. And this is including the off-season loss of 3A Player of the Year Drew Hall, who moved to Arizona. A big reason why is because big man [player_tooltip player_id='1110567' first='Austin' last='Maurer'] is back and should be a Division I signed player by the time the season starts. One reason the loss of Hall isn't as harsh is because incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2026055' first='Avery' last='Huston'] comes in as anticipated a player in Southern Oregon in quite some time. Practically everyone else is back too for the two-time champs, notably [player_tooltip player_id='1268433' first='Peyton' last='Maurer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1947058' first='Deryk' last='Farmer'], and <strong>Jaren Fronckowiak</strong>. If not for an expected appearance in the Les Schwab Invitation, head coach Brian Morse's squad may very well run the table otherwise on their way to a third straight 3A title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dayton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several key guys from last year's state tournament squad return for head coach Ron Hop, who always has the Pirates in playoff and 3A title contention. Senior guard and Second Team All-State honoree <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387914' first='Boston' last='Hodges']</strong> leads the way and along with lanky junior wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2428771' first='Lane' last=''] Garrison</strong>, provide a one-two punch that could be unmatched in the PacWest Conference. Senior <strong>Morgan Gallagher</strong> will have an expanded role and Dayton is a program that's traditionally deep so expect roster returnees or guys coming up from JV to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De La Salle North Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Any pre-season top five - whether too early or close to season's start - will almost always include the Knights, one of the true powerhouses at the 3A level. Once again head coach James Broadous has to deal with some players leaving for bigger schools but with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1769241' first='Quincy' last='Aranda'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1910897' first='Jaylen' last='Hill'] both back, he's set at two of the most important positions in basketball with point guard and the post. Hill earned First Team 3A All-State honors and Aranda earned Third Team last season. As always the talent pool is deep at DLSNC, and expect to see a number of new names rise to the surface and contribute heavily to the Knights's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Hill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing as runner-up and making it to state last year, the Billies are a year older and ready for a return to Coos Bay. Head coach Darwin Terry has a lot of his roster back, namely stud junior [player_tooltip player_id='1591755' first='Gavin' last='Inglish'] to lead the way. The do-everything swingman is the odds-on favorite to repeat as Mountain Valley Player of the Year and earn First Team All-State honors. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1913438' first='Matthew' last='Nguyen'] will run the show again and <strong>Bradeon Hazel</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2844572' first='Landen' last='Melvin']</strong> also return as starters. Emerging senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2055468' first='Sawyer' last='Ireland'] made strides over the summer and will be a key contributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westside Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westside Christian lost a great group of seniors but as usual, there's good talent coming back and who knows what transfers might show up at head coach David Henry's front doorstep in the fall. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1565738' first='Dax' last='Hanzlik'] leads the returning starters and the athletic wing turned some heads in summer ball and camps. Senior point guard <strong>Kahlid Hodge</strong> is the other starter back and other seniors such as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387921' first='Will' last='Ficker']</strong> and <strong>Wesley Chandler</strong> have plenty of experience. Given some of the names we've heard thrown around as possible incoming transfers, the Eagles will once again be in the hunt for state tournament hardware.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other schools considered: Burns, Creswell, Douglas, Oregon Episcopal, Santiam Christian, Vale, Valley Catholic</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->