2023-24 2A Preview: Top Five and All-State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023-24 Boys Basketball Season starts all across the state today, so let's take a quick look at the 2A level with our pre-season Top-5 and projected All-State team:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pre-Season Top-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1) Western Christian<br>2) Regis<br>3) Willamina<br>4) Mannahouse<br>5) Salem Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong>: Western made the state title game last year with only a single upperclassman on their varsity roster, which is a truly remarkable achievement. In any circumstance bringing back your entire roster would make you a top-tier title contender, but when combined with the system in place at Western and the fact this group of players is being led by Gary Hull, it reaches truly special territory. However, there are serious challengers and opposition to what might be seen as a Western Christian coronation. Regis and Willamina specifically both bring back the lion's share of their production from the 2022-23 season and boast top-end talent that would rival many at higher classifications. There is considerable depth from top to bottom in 2A, but, as always in this classification regardless of the sport, it should be a wild ride this winter. Others to watch for: Knappa, Oakland, Heppner, Gold Beach, Monroe, Kennedy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pre-Season All-State Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2324559' first='Jadon' last='Bjornsgard'], Mannahouse Christian<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2458239' first='Gavin' last='Hall'], Western Christian<br>Landon Mitchell, Heppner<br>Cohen Haller, Willamina<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2204995' first='Joseph' last='Fusco'], Oakland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong>: Any of these five could reasonably make a run at the POTY award, and it may simply come down to which team players team wins the state championship. The leader in the clubhouse is likely Cohen Haller, who is arguably the most explosive offensive player in small school basketball currently. Willamina largely depended on Haller last season on the offensive end, and if they find themselves in the quarterfinals or farther this season it will likely be largely off his back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Preview provided by Robby Scharf of Mid-Major Media</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->