Way Too Early Class 5A 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 5A (listed alphabetically).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Eugene</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's Midwestern League champs have some graduation losses but bring back the firepower that will keep them not only in conference title contention but a threat for the state championship. Head coach Blake Gee's squad is senior heavy and that often bodes well in terms of experience and maturity. It all begins at the point where league Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1110575' first='Joey' last='Banry'] is back to lead the charge. The senior could be the best lead guard in all of 5A. Fellow starter [player_tooltip player_id='1315364' first='Jonas' last='Spencer'] is also back, as are seniors <strong>Elias McKinnis</strong> and <strong>Caiden Gould</strong>, who are ready for more playing time. A couple of transfers from Sheldon, [player_tooltip player_id='1495286' first='India' last='Mohiuddin'] and Kimani Winger, will challenge for starting roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Summit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two years in a row the Storm have been bridesmaids in the state title game - will the third time in 2023-24 be the charm for head coach Jon Frazier and his talented squad? It wouldn't be a stretch to think that Summit might be the favorite, after all, they are led by arguably the best player in 5A with returning class Player of the Year and Boise State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1110580' first='Pearson' last='Carmichael']. The senior can do it all on the basketball floor but he's certainly not alone. Super-athletic [player_tooltip player_id='1113082' first='Collin' last='Moore'], one of the most underrated and underappreciated players in the state, is also back and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1908818' first='Mac' last='Bledsoe'] adds strength and even more athleticism to the mix. The roster is deep as well with Paxon Kettering, Charlie Crowell, [player_tooltip player_id='1426709' first='Jack' last='Bents'] also back, and a whole host of talented players in what might be the deepest program in all of 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Albany</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Drew Halvorson is looking to build on a great initial season with the Bulldogs and he's got the guys coming back to make some noise and a good run. A good guy to build off of is returning Mid-Willamette Conference Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1483410' first='Brysen' last='Kachel'], and the senior will be once again almost impossible to defend both inside and out. He's not operating alone either as a talented junior class is back experienced and hungry. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2045350' first='Owen' last='Hopkins']</strong> can score the ball, <strong>Austin Simmons</strong> adds points and rebounds, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2046424' first='Gavin' last='Aguilar']</strong> will help out at the point. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2056752' first='Jackson' last='Strandy']</strong> also returns as West Albany will clearly eye a trip to Corvallis in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilsonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road to the 5A title often goes through Wilsonville and the two-time champs will once again be in the hunt - which is always the case with head coach Chris Roche at the helm. They'll have to adjust to the new shot clock rules but making it easy is the fact the Wildcats have two of the top offensive players in the state in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1110842' first='Kallen' last='Gutridge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1110843' first='Kyle' last='Counts'], the latter of which has already committed to D-I St. Thomas (Minn.). Between the two of them, it wouldn't be surprising to see them average over 40 points a game. Role players last year such as <strong>Emmitt Fee</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110844' first='Nick' last='Colyer']</strong> will be ready to step up their games and there is a whole host of other younger players Roche will get contributions from.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodburn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The move up from 4A was no sweat for Woodburn, who captured the Mid-Willamette Conference title and made it to the state tournament. Head coach Raul Veliz has the returnees on his roster to make a return trip to Gill Coliseum. Leading the way at the point will be his son [player_tooltip player_id='1368274' first='Cruz' last='Veliz'], who ranked among 5A's leaders in assists and steals on the season. The man in the middle will be [player_tooltip player_id='1883819' first='Liam' last='Slattum'], whose ability to stretch defenses with his shot makes him extremely hard to defend. All-Around [player_tooltip player_id='1908827' first='Brody' last='Hawley'] is also back, as are <strong>Esai Carrasquillo</strong> and <strong>Dylon Renteria</strong>, who will step into bigger roles in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other schools considered: Canby, Hood River Valley, La Salle, Mountain View, Putnam, Silverton, Thurston</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->