2023-24 6A Preview - Central Valley Conference

The 2023-24 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 6A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. It should be another competitive year in the Central Valley Conference. Here's how we see it turning out.   League Predictions   <ol> <li>West Salem</li>   <li>McNary</li>   <li>Sprague</li>   <li>South Salem</li>   <li>North Salem</li> </ol>   Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1565735' first='Jackson' last='Leach'], West Salem   All-League Predictions: Leach; [player_tooltip player_id='1686592' first='Steven' last='Adams'], McNary; [player_tooltip player_id='1110576' first='Eli' last='Gabriel'], South Salem; [player_tooltip player_id='1908832' first='Grayson' last='Long'], Sprague; [player_tooltip player_id='1268431' first='Connor' last='Oertel'], West Salem   Top Sleeper/Newcomer: Esai Carasquillo, McNary   State Tournament Threats: None   Other Post-Season Teams: West Salem, McNary, Sprague   Analysis   It will certainly be very competitive but once again it appears that West Salem is the cream of the crop in the Central Valley. Head coach Travis Myers has some production to replace off last year's team but there's plenty back, especially with one of last year's co-league POYs in [player_tooltip player_id='1565735' first='Jackson' last='Leach'] (13.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.9 spg). The point guard worked hard on improving his outside shooting over the off-season and defenses will now on longer be able to just play him on the drive, of which he'll still be dominant with getting to the hoop and scoring or dishing it to teammates for scores. Leach's partner in crime in the backcourt is fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1268431' first='Connor' last='Oertel'] (10.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 apg). It was a little bit of a down year shooting the ball last season but after a summer of work he's set to shine his final high school campaign. He's a good athlete who has become more of a scorer than just a shooter. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1908830' first='Philip' last='Goodrich'] (5.0 ppg, 4.2 3pg, .667 fg%) may be a little undersized but he's a strong leaper who is very efficient around the hoop and juniro Hudson Whipple (2.1 ppg) adds depth inside. Matthew Luke (5.5 ppg) also brings some experience in the backcourt and Kaden Martriano (2.2 ppg) is a capable shooter from distance. It may not be as dominant as last year's run was but the Titans appear to have the firepower and depth to win the league title again.   An experienced group of seniors has moved on from McNary but there's still a lot coming back for the Celtics to keep them in post-season contention. Head coach Ryan Kirch is especially happy about the return of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1686592' first='Steven' last='Adams'] (13.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.3 spg) who he's already dubbed as potentially the best point guard he's ever had at the school. Adams is extremely quick, especially on defense with his hands, and the majority of the offense will be running through him with his ability to both score and distribute. He's a candidate for all-league and possibly player-of-the-year honors. The help will from a variety of places. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2204986' first='Esai' last='Carrasquillo'] is an impact transfer from Woodburn (4.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg in 2022-23) who can contribute in a number of ways on both ends of the floor. He's a good athlete who is likely the top newcomer of the year in the Central Valley. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2747499' first='Anthony' last='Fuentes'] had some nice moments last year as a freshman and is ready to take on a bigger role. The Celtics aren't very big but senior captain Carter Hawley will provide leadership and three others are listed at 6-foot-4.   Sprague as usual will be in the mix for not only the playoffs but primed for a run at the league title as head coach Jordan Graneto once again has a group that has that potential. Last season's top marksman Liam Spencer and his 19 ppg will certainly be missed but this year things will likely be done more by committee in his absence. One guy that will help pick up the slack is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1908832' first='Grayson' last='Long'] (7.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg). At 6-foot-2, he's got good size and strength to overpower defenders creating off the dribble and his outside shot improved over the summer. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1531536' first='Jarod' last='Stanley'] (7.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg) is one of the most athletic players in the league and is ready to continue his all-around development. He too has good size for a guard at 6-foot-3. Inheriting many of the shots that Spencer left behind will be South Salem transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1464497' first='Greg' last='Comer'], who can really get hot from deep as one of the top three-point per game leaders in 6A two years ago. Senior Tyler Burcheit (2.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg) got major minutes last year and should contribute, as will junior [player_tooltip player_id='2722533' first='Braxton' last='Long'] (4.1 ppg, 2.4 apg) and a number of other guys who mainly played JV last season will get an opportunity to be in the rotation.   In talking to South Salem head coach Travis Brown, one thing he said was clear - they will be better than last year. That certainly seems to be the case with the Saxons who will once again be largely young but definitely more experienced this time around. Brown continues to be excited about his sophomore class which will be the core of the team in the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1687840' first='Teagan' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='2356234' first='Jack' last='Lapray'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1671256' first='Tko' last='Westbrook']. Scott, who's an early commit to Oregon State for baseball, is a tremendous all-around athlete and could be an all-league player. As talented as the sophomores are, there's no question senior [player_tooltip player_id='1110576' first='Eli' last='Gabriel'] is the cornerstone of the squad. The guard who currently holds an offer from the University of Portland will be counted upon for just about everything on the court and his leadership will be paramount. Athletic senior Eli Johnson will offer strength inside and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1368249' first='Josh' last='Feik'] who started some games last year are among the many others Brown will call upon for contributions as the year progresses.   The build continues at North Salem under head coach Bryan Huber and he's got the program headed in the right direction. The 2023-24 season will be challenging as much of last year's squad graduated but there are some young players coming up with promise. The key guy that's back for North Salem is junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1910911' first='Maverick' last='Huynh'] who earned All-League honors a year ago. He's an all-around shooter and scorer who's added more strength to his frame to go up against bigger players. Senior Shane Ryder should be a solid contributor and sophomore Rafael Ochoa is an electric athlete who will provide some highlight reel plays.

The 2023-24 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 6A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. It should be another competitive year in the Central Valley Conference. Here's how we see it turning out.