2023-24 6A Preview – Portland Interscholastic League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. To be quite frank, the PIL is down compared to previous seasons but it still features at least one state title threat and the conference race is going to be extremely competitive. Here's how we see it turning out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>League Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Roosevelt</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Grant</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Benson</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jefferson</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cleveland</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lincoln</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wells</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Franklin</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>McDaniel</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1052572' first='Terrence' last='Hill Jr'], Roosevelt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-League Predictions</strong>: Hill Jr; [player_tooltip player_id='1232311' first='Jacey' last='Canalin'], Wells; [player_tooltip player_id='861086' first='Dylan' last='Douangphrachanh'], Benson; [player_tooltip player_id='1582927' first='Adrian' last='Montague'], Jefferson; [player_tooltip player_id='1110573' first='Jackson' last='Owens'], Cleveland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1624504' first='Quincy' last='Scott'], Grant</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats</strong>: Roosevelt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Post-Season Teams</strong>: Grant, Benson, Jefferson, Cleveland, Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking over the field one school seems to stand out from the rest of the pack and that school is Roosevelt. New head coach Jamarr Lawson takes over the reins and he's more than happy to welcome back star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1052572' first='Terrence' last='Hill Jr'] (19.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.7 apg in 2021-22), who returns from playing a year away at AZ Compass Prep. The Utah State signee basically returns as arguably the best player in the league and as a multi-faceted scoring threat, could also be one of 6A's leaders in scoring. His presence will mean fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1110736' first='Utrillo' last='Morris'] (15.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.6 apg) will have even more opportunities to rack up assists as the jet-quick point guard will not only have Hill Jr to find but also the dangerous [player_tooltip player_id='1110570' first='Chance' last='White'] (22.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg), who's set to have a big senior year as well - he's already the school's all-time leading career scorer. As if those three weren't enough, do-it-all junior [player_tooltip player_id='1368227' first='Owen' last='Nathan'] (11.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 bpg, 3.2 spg) will contribute on both sides of the floor and the Roughriders also have a number of emerging big guy transfers in 6-foot-6 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1910010' first='Demir' last='Johnson'] from Jefferson and 6-foot-8 [player_tooltip player_id='1919365' first='Matthew' last='Beatty'] to anchor the middle. 6-foot-6 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2245263' first='Syrius' last='Owens'] is also someone to keep an eye on as the Roughriders seem to have the talent, depth, and experience above everyone else in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest of the PIL appears to be a dogfight but Grant appears to be the squad inching out in front. New head coach Sean Brownhill got a super late start in the process after finally getting hired to replace previous coach Dondrale Campbell (who left to be an assistant at Northern Colorado), but he's definitely got a deep squad of players to work with. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1110569' first='Charles' last='Kapranos'] (13.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, .591 fg%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1110568' first='Vashon' last='Hardges'] (7.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg) will be counted upon for leadership both on the off the floor, and both are primed to have big seasons. The addition of 6-foot-5 junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1624504' first='Quincy' last='Scott'] from Central Catholic during the summer was a huge add as he'll add plenty of energy on both ends of the floor. There are a whole host of other players who will be key guys as the Generals could be one of the deepest teams in the league, especially in the backcourt with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1910906' first='Mekhi' last='Muhammad'] (2.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg), De La Salle North Catholic junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2458230' first='Zhalei' last='Van'], sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1582929' first='Keion' last='James Adell'] (3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg), and a couple of freshmen in [player_tooltip player_id='2026056' first='Varryk' last='Hardges'] and <strong>Keon Gates</strong>. The future is certainly bright at Grant but they're fully capable of winning games now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson looks to continue trending upward in the league and while the Techmen have to replace a number of experienced seniors - notably an all-time recent great in Kavon Bradford - there's enough back for head coach Earl Clark to head a nice run. It all starts with four-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='861086' first='Dylan' last='Douangphrachanh'] (18.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, .427 3pt%) who should once again be one of the top shooters and scorers in the state. Making it to the Chiles Center would certainly be a nice send-off for the senior who will surpass 1000 career points this season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1910900' first='Tre' last='Kelly'] (3.9 ppg, .354 3pt%) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1606557' first='Dache' last='Acelar'] (4.6 ppg, 1.4 apg, .325 3pt%) emerged as legitimate three-point threats and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2240507' first='Sincere' last='Powe'] also got valuable experience last season getting playing time as freshmen. A newcomer that should make a significant impact is Grant sophomore transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1582935' first='Jemel' last='Baker'], whose athleticism and ability to create shots adds another dimension to the squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that's extremely uncommon for Jefferson is to miss the post-season and for the second year in a row, the Demos were at home when the playoffs started. That shouldn't be the case this year for head coach Pat Strickland as there's enough top talent returning to get Jeff at least back into the playoffs. One thing that's to their advantage is their top scorers are back and how the backcourt duo of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1197478' first='TJ' last='Latu'] (14.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1582927' first='Adrian' last='Montague'] (12.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg) do will play a critical role in how far the Demos go. Physically Latu is one of the toughest matchups around and Montague - known best as "Fuzzy" - had an outstanding off-season developing into a devastating scorer. The pieces surrounding those two include transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1457597' first='Charles' last='Manigo'] (5.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg at Grant), high-energy post [player_tooltip player_id='1110735' first='Carlos' last='Rodriguez'], and athletic swingman [player_tooltip player_id='1910908' first='D'Ryus' last='Dent'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland had a good follow-up season to their state tournament appearance in 2002 and the graduation losses are big, some guys from that team are still around for head coach Sam Glasgow to have a team that will still be a tough out. One of those players coming back is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1110573' first='Jackson' last='Owens'] (14.3 ppg) who with his tough mid-range game has emerged as one of the top scorers in the PIL. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him top 20 points per game for the Warriors Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1511340' first='Will' last='Susak'] will run the offense and returning big man Nate Crouser had a solid summer of development both physically and with his game. A couple of young guards in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1368296' first='Finn' last='Cooper'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1582934' first='Jeremiah' last='Pichon'] will also be key contributors whether they are starting or coming off of the bench, otherwise, the rest of the team is new.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning the league outright and finishing third at state, head coach Heather Seely-Roberts has to replace the majority of that senior-dominated squad - including her twin sons Moroni and Malachi, both of whom were 6A All-State honorees. With those losses that means senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1383114' first='Evan' last='Heisler'] (6.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, .620 fg%) will be elevated into a major role and he's got the size and talent to get things done. He won't be alone as senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2055471' first='Tanner' last='Overby'], who got some brief playing time last season, emerged as a legitimate scoring threat over the summer and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387888' first='Isaac' last='Margolis']</strong> (1.2 ppg) returns as the projected starting point guard. The rest of the squad is totally new to the varsity level, but you can be assured that Seely-Roberts will have her team playing hard and pushing the pace on both ends in every single contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wells certainly surprised some folks last year under head coach Jonny Canalin and the theme may remain the same again, especially after the unexpected departure of [player_tooltip player_id='1910896' first='Diggy' last='Griffin'] (15.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg) to Rosemary Anderson Prep. Back though is senior and four-year starter point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1232311' first='Jacey' last='Canalin'] (17.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.6 spg) and the coach's son will be counted on heavily for scoring, passing, and defensive pressure. After that, contributions will likely be made by committee. <strong>Lucas Devlin</strong> (3.4 ppg) and <strong>Cam Hammer</strong> (4.3 ppg) will knock down open shots and are experienced guards who play hard-nosed defense and Wilsonville transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1624505' first='Grant' last='Clemo'] will have a big role inside with his size and ability to rebound. <strong>Max Scherzer</strong> (2.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg) should also receive plenty of court time as will fellow junior <strong>Elliot Matthews</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's nowhere to go up for Franklin, who has the potential to really surprise some folks in 2023-24. The reason? Head coach Marc Grassman has a senior-dominated team that may be ready to convert their vast experience into wins. [player_tooltip player_id='1110584' first='Dominic' last='Papworth'] (14 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1268437' first='Kwaje' last='Laila'] (13 ppg), and <strong>Charles Grassman</strong> (6 ppg in 6 games) have been Lightning mainstays since their sophomore seasons and the trio should be primed to have big senior years. Fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2204989' first='Izrahiah' last='Flechtner'] (8 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2204983' first='Colby' last='Christiansen'] are primed to be bigger contributors as well and both had solid off-seasons of development. Franklin doesn't have a ton of size but 6-foot-7 junior<strong> Oliver Hensley</strong> may be one to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally rounding up the list is McDaniel, who turns a new page with new head coach Arron Boone who comes over from Mollala. It's been a tough couple of years for the Mountain Lions but Boone is hopeful the fresh start will lead to a positive outlook - and a few wins wouldn't hurt either. Two seniors back who are ready to start righting the ship are Artimus Hebbe and Mekai Anderson, and a trio of juniors in [player_tooltip player_id='1587909' first='Asson' last='Gelly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1588636' first='Dylan' last='Cheek'], and<strong> Justin Glover</strong> have the potential to blossom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->