2023-24 6A Preview – Pre-Season Top Ten
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
- West Linn
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 Max Juhala Max Juhala 6'5" | SF West Linn | 2024 State OR and Nick DiGiulio are back to fire away from deep, as will junior Jalen Snook Jalen Snook 5'9" | PG West Linn | 2025 State OR . Young players ready to be major contributors include juniors Kevin Benson Kevin Benson 6'6" | PF West Linn | 2025 State OR , Sawyer Young Sawyer Young 6'2" | SF West Linn | 2025 State OR , and Jesuit transfer Gavin Gross Gavin Gross 6'6" | SF West Linn | 2025 State OR , and the incoming freshman class is extremely talented – in particular, Key is super high on point guard Pat Vialva Jr Pat Vialva Jr 5'10" | PG West Linn | 2027 State OR who could be starting from day one.
- Mountainside
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 Brayden Boe Brayden Boe 6'5" | CG Mountainside | 2025 State #254 Nation OR , 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 Peyton Reyes Peyton Reyes 5'9" | PG Mountainside | 2025 State OR and sophomore Eli Vizconde Eli Vizconde 5'11" | CG Mountainside | 2026 State OR , both of whom will have increased roles in the offense. When he’s fully healthy, senior Quinn Haveman Quinn Haveman 6'3" | SG Mountainside | 2024 State OR 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.
- Sherwood
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 Connor Parry Connor Parry 6'4" | SF Sherwood | 2025 State OR (Portland baseball) and Drew Smith (Duke track & field). Senior Ethan Eckard Ethan Eckard 6'3" | SG Sherwood | 2024 State OR is one of 6A’s sleeper scorers and look for sophomore wing Brody Rygh Brody Rygh 6'5" | SF Sherwood | 2026 State OR 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.
- Beaverton
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 Aidan Rice Aidan Rice 6'2" | PG Beaverton | 2024 State OR , Max Elmgren Max Elmgren 6'0" | CG Beaverton | 2024 State OR , and Chance Winter Chance Winter 6'10" | C Beaverton | 2024 State OR 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.
- Jesuit
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 Nico Rafalovich Nico Rafalovich 6'6" | SF Jesuit | 2024 State OR and point guard Tyler Curvy Tyler Curvy 5'10" | CG Jesuit | 2024 State OR highlight the returnees and star JV players such as juniors Patrick Kilfoil Patrick Kilfoil 6'0" | PG Jesuit | 2025 State OR , Ryan Fraser Ryan Fraser 6'0" | SG Jesuit | 2025 State OR , and sophomore Ryan Barone Ryan Barone 6'1" | CG Jesuit | 2026 State OR 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.
- Southridge
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 Kaden Groenig Kaden Groenig 5'9" | PG Southridge | 2024 State OR and Carter Fortune Carter Fortune 6'2" | PG Southridge | 2024 State OR ranks among the state’s best duos and juniors Keenan Reckamp Keenan Reckamp 6'1" | PG Southridge | 2025 State OR and Alonzo Hoff Alonzo Hoff 6'6" | SF Southridge | 2025 State OR both added to their games during the off-season. Sharp-shooting sophomore Drew Groenig Drew Groenig 5'10" | CG Southridge | 2026 State OR and a handful of newcomers dot the bench, most prominently freshman Elijah Thompson Elijah Thompson 5'11" | PG Southridge | 2027 State OR who could be the next great Skyhawk. How well Southridge rebounds and defends will dictate how far they ultimately go.
- Roosevelt
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 Terrence Hill Jr Terrence Hill Jr 6'3" | PG Roosevelt | 2024 State #183 Nation OR , 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 Utrillo Morris Utrillo Morris 5'8" | PG Roosevelt | 2024 State OR and Chance White Chance White 6'0" | CG Roosevelt | 2024 State OR had huge years and the senior guard trio is arguably the best in the state. Do-it-all Owen Nathan Owen Nathan 6'2" | CG Roosevelt | 2025 State OR will once again help out on both ends and a couple of big men transfers in Demir Johnson Demir Johnson 6'5" | PF Roosevelt | 2024 State OR and Matthew Beatty Matthew Beatty 6'9" | C Roosevelt | 2025 State OR give head coach Jamarr Lawson plenty of depth.
- Barlow
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 Jalen Atkins Jalen Atkins 6'2" | SG Barlow | 2025 State OR , Mason Bierbrauer Mason Bierbrauer 6'6" | PF Barlow | 2025 State OR , and Brayden Barron Brayden Barron 6'6" | SF Barlow | 2025 State OR – 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 Cole Patrick Cole Patrick 6'2" | CG Barlow | 2024 State OR , Blake Hills Blake Hills 6'0" | CG Barlow | 2025 State OR , 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.
- Tualatin
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 Jaden Steppe Jaden Steppe 6'8" | SF Tualatin | 2024 State #289 Nation OR , 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 – Jemai Lake Jemai Lake 5'11" | CG Tualatin | 2026 State OR 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 Cole Javernick Cole Javernick 6'4" | SF Tualatin | 2024 State OR 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 Jayden Fortier Jayden Fortier 6'3" | SF Tualatin | 2024 State OR or Nolan Keeney Nolan Keeney 6'4" | PF Tualatin | 2025 State OR from playing this season, Colorado State commit AJ Noland AJ Noland 6'0" | CG Tulalatin | 2024 State OR 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.
- Central Catholic
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 Isaac Carr Isaac Carr 6'3" | CG Central Catholic | 2025 State #75 Nation OR (early commit to Oregon) and Marley Zeller Marley Zeller 6'5" | SF Central Catholic | 2024 State OR (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 Tony Angelo Tony Angelo 5'8" | PG Central Catholic | 2024 State OR 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.