2023-24 6A Preview – Pre-Season Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023-24 boys basketball season is upon us and there's no question that it is going to be extremely competitive at the 6A level. After watching guys play in the summer and fall and attending a number of open gyms and practices to get a closer look at everyone, here's our pre-season top ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":10} --> <ol start="10"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>West Linn</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At first glance the losses appear staggering for West Linn - after all, the graduation losses include one of the all-time greatest players in school history in Jackson Shelstad. But those in the know don't feel sorry one bit for head coach Robert Key as the stable is filled with talented players ready to step right in and make their mark. The strength for the Lions will be with their shooting as seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1110578' first='Max' last='Juhala'] and Nick DiGiulio are back to fire away from deep, as will junior [player_tooltip player_id='1611687' first='Jalen' last='Snook']. Young players ready to be major contributors include juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1662767' first='Kevin' last='Benson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1611686' first='Sawyer' last='Young'], and Jesuit transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1450156' first='Gavin' last='Gross'], and the incoming freshman class is extremely talented - in particular, Key is super high on point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2132800' first='Pat' last='Vialva Jr'] who could be starting from day one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":9} --> <ol start="9"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Mountainside</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The run continues at Mountainside as the Mavericks have the players in place to make it to the Chiles Center for the third year in a row. It all starts with one of the top players in the state and Pacific Northwest in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1276628' first='Brayden' last='Boe'], who could potentially play every position on the court this season for head coach Dustin Hewitt. Two other starters in the backcourt are back with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1368229' first='Peyton' last='Reyes'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1582931' first='Eli' last='Vizconde'], both of whom will have increased roles in the offense. When he's fully healthy, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1110571' first='Quinn' last='Haveman'] will help out at multiple positions and a whole host of younger guys give the Mavs some solid depth to help counteract their relative lack of size underneath.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":8} --> <ol start="8"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Sherwood</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Could this be the year the Bowmen get over the proverbial hump and make it to the state tournament? One thing head coach Rahim Tufts certainly has going for him is what could be the tallest starting lineup in the state as all five projected starters stand 6-foot-3 or taller. Sherwood isn't just tall but they are athletic as two of their key guys are committed D-I athletes in [player_tooltip player_id='1910898' first='Connor' last='Parry'] (Portland baseball) and Drew Smith (Duke track &amp; field). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1342141' first='Ethan' last='Eckard'] is one of 6A's sleeper scorers and look for sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1606063' first='Brody' last='Rygh'] to really emerge as a threat in 2023-24. The Bowmen will have a little more competition in the Pacific League this season - and Liberty in particular will be very tough - but Sherwood still appears to be the team to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":7} --> <ol start="7"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Beaverton</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The expectations were super high last season but the Beavers still made it to state and came away with a trophy. Enough is back for head coach Andrew Vancil for Beaverton to do it all over again. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1278329' first='Aidan' last='Rice'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197477' first='Max' last='Elmgren'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1268432' first='Chance' last='Winter'] rival any other three seniors in the state, and overall the Beavers look like a tough matchup for opponents on both ends of the floor. The key may be how the role players surrounding those three emerge but if fall league was any indication - Beaverton finished undefeated - the odds are looking good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":6} --> <ol start="6"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jesuit</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's weird to think that it's been more than four years since Jesuit made it to the state tournament but this appears to be the year that dubious streak ends. Head coach Gene Potter has a talented group back that is a good mixture of seniors and talented younger players, with the ability to really shoot the heck out of the ball. All-League honoree [player_tooltip player_id='1565732' first='Nico' last='Rafalovich'] and point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1112940' first='Tyler' last='Curvy'] highlight the returnees and star JV players such as juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1643228' first='Patrick' last='Kilfoil'], [player_tooltip player_id='2054793' first='Ryan' last='Fraser'], and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1585574' first='Ryan' last='Barone'] all have the capability to light it up from deep. The Crusaders don't have a lot of size but as usual, they usually find a way and will be in the Metro League title hunt throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Southridge</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing a game away both from a share of the Metro League title and the state tournament, Southridge is on a mission this year. Head coach Phil Vesel has the majority of his team back and this could be one of his most talented teams offensively. The senior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1197476' first='Kaden' last='Groenig'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2216278' first='Carter' last='Fortune'] ranks among the state's best duos and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1379047' first='Keenan' last='Reckamp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1496193' first='Alonzo' last='Hoff'] both added to their games during the off-season. Sharp-shooting sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1607597' first='Drew' last='Groenig'] and a handful of newcomers dot the bench, most prominently freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2026058' first='Elijah' last='Thompson'] who could be the next great Skyhawk. How well Southridge rebounds and defends will dictate how far they ultimately go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Roosevelt</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it appears to be a down year in the PIL, Roosevelt certainly appears to be the cream of the crop - and even with a coaching change, they appear to rank among the top contenders in all of 6A. A huge reason for this is the return of homegrown product [player_tooltip player_id='1052572' first='Terrence' last='Hill Jr'], who returns after a year at Arizona Compass Prep. The Utah State signee could potentially lead all of 6A in scoring. Even without Hill Jr last season, fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1110736' first='Utrillo' last='Morris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1110570' first='Chance' last='White'] had huge years and the senior guard trio is arguably the best in the state. Do-it-all [player_tooltip player_id='1368227' first='Owen' last='Nathan'] will once again help out on both ends and a couple of big men transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='1910010' first='Demir' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1919365' first='Matthew' last='Beatty'] give head coach Jamarr Lawson plenty of depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Barlow</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The current all-time leader in wins in 6A, the only thing missing from head coach Tom Johnson's coaching resume is a state championship and he's got the guys to get it done. The Bruins have one of the top-scoring trios in the state in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1276625' first='Jalen' last='Atkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1368245' first='Mason' last='Bierbrauer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1387877' first='Brayden' last='Barron'] - the last of which really turned some heads this summer with his length and athleticism. One of the hallmarks of the Barlow program is the role players that surround the stars and the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='2115279' first='Cole' last='Patrick'], [player_tooltip player_id='1611707' first='Blake' last='Hills'], and Sentori Martino will all be names you'll hear step up in various games this season. With their uptempo style of play, there's no question the Bruins will be one of the most fun teams to watch in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Tualatin</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first title in 2022 was expected, the second one in 2023 was an upset - what will 2024 bring? From our viewpoint, Tualatin is a legitimate threat to three-peat. It all starts with returning senior [player_tooltip player_id='1174265' first='Jaden' last='Steppe'], who could be the odds-on favorite to win 6A Player of the Year. The 6-foot-8 Colorado State signee is basically unstoppable anywhere on the court and has that mental edge to lead the Timberwolves all the way. He'll have plenty of help - [player_tooltip player_id='1582973' first='Jemai' last='Lake'] may only be a sophomore but he had a brilliant summer and may very well be more advanced at this same age than his older brother, OSU guard Josiah. Senior swingman [player_tooltip player_id='2056360' first='Cole' last='Javernick'] looks to have a breakout season and where Tualatin really has an edge over others is with their athleticism and toughness, especially from their football players. While it appears injuries from football may limit or prevent [player_tooltip player_id='1110572' first='Jayden' last='Fortier'] or [player_tooltip player_id='1370666' first='Nolan' last='Keeney'] from playing this season, Colorado State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1266106' first='AJ' last='Noland'] is one of the best athletes in all of 6A. Head coach Bubba Lemon pretty much has it all on his team with talent, athleticism, strength, size, and depth - and if not for the football injuries, Tualatin might have been the pre-season #1 squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Central Catholic</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, the talent speaks for itself - no other high school in the state can currently boast two individual players who are committed to D-I schools. But as talented as [player_tooltip player_id='1276626' first='Isaac' last='Carr'] (early commit to Oregon) and [player_tooltip player_id='1110583' first='Marley' last='Zeller'] (signed with Pepperdine) are - and both are potential all-state honorees - and both will be a handful to guard with their ability to shoot from the perimeter, create off the dribble, and finish at the rim. They're not all on the Rams though as head coach David Blue has a roster filled with other guys who can really play. The Paschal brothers - Duce and Bam - have both gotten bigger and stronger and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1268438' first='Tony' last='Angelo'] is back to run the offense, and a whole host of talented younger players who quite honestly could start for almost any other team in the state. True, you've got to go out and win those games - Blue would be the first to tell you that - but Central Catholic seemingly has all the components to take home the championship trophy in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->