2023-24 6A Preview - Southwest 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. While the top of the league looks to be about the same, the Southwest Conference looks more well-rounded overall this year. Here's how we see it turning out.   League Predictions   <ol> <li>South Medford</li>   <li>Grants Pass</li>   <li>South Eugene</li>   <li>Roseburg</li>   <li>Sheldon</li>   <li>North Medford</li>   <li>Willamette</li> </ol>   Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1269430' first='Jackson' last='Weiland'], South Medford   All-League Predictions: Weiland; [player_tooltip player_id='1315381' first='Peyton' last='Bruner'], Grants Pass; Owen Kramer, Sheldon; [player_tooltip player_id='1661357' first='Mykah' last='Mendoza'], Roseburg; [player_tooltip player_id='1908816' first='Trey' last='Saunders'], South Eugene   Top Sleeper/Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='1496237' first='Ty' last='Dahlin'], South Medford   State Tournament Threats: South Medford   Other Post-Season Teams: Grants Pass, Roseburg, South Eugene, Sheldon   Analysis   South Medford still appears to be the class of the Southwest Conference. The main reason why - [player_tooltip player_id='1269430' first='Jackson' last='Weiland'] (20.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.7 spg) is still around. Last year's league player of the year is back and better than ever as one of the top senior point guards in the state and during the summer months both with AAU and with the Panthers, he was absolutely dominant in games. While his former partner in crime Boden Howell and his 22 ppg have moved to Idaho, a new one has emerged with transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1496237' first='Ty' last='Dahlin'] (15.9 ppg at Crater). With his 6-foot-5 size and ability to score, the senior has fit right in to the South Medford system without any problem. The surrounding cast is different than last year but they looked impressive in fall league action. Senior Colby Shuldberg (1.7 ppg) is a solid all-around player and some younger guys such as 6-foot-5 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1606561' first='Jed' last='Johnson'] and 6-foot freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2132781' first='Carter' last='Mills'] will be key guys in the rotation for head coach James Wightman.   Pushing the Panthers will be Grants Pass and head coach Joel Jessee has a veteran group of returnees that have been through the wars together already. The backcourt of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1486143' first='Gavin' last='McLean'] (7.2 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1315381' first='Peyton' last='Bruner'] (7.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg) is one of the best in the state few have known about but should put together memorable seasons in 2023-24. Strong and physical senior [player_tooltip player_id='1486144' first='Luke' last='Morgan'] (9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .586 fg%) will be the top threat inside and despite being a little undersized he's as tough and rugged as anyone around. Senior Jayden Jessee (2.5 ppg) and juniors Tyler McIntosh (1.2 ppg) and Zachary DeChenne (0.6 rpg) are ready for bigger roles with the Cavemen, who have a challenging slate with tournaments in California and San Diego on the schedule.   There's no question South Eugene can score, but can they stop others from doing so? Head coach Sol Harris is hopeful they can do the latter at a better level than last season to complement the fact they will still put up plenty of points. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1908816' first='Trey' last='Saunders'] (20.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg) can really fill it up from the floor and his mid-season injury last year might have cost them a playoff spot. He's fully healthy this year and will team up with fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1111369' first='Landyn' last='Bryant'] (15.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.3 apg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1908822' first='Koen' last='Thurman'] (10.9 ppg, 4.4 apg) in a three-headed guard attack that could be the best in the league. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2204999' first='Levi' last='Hawes'] (8.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg) will be the main threat down low and he'll be flanked by senior Henry Thomas (6.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg) as the Axe hope to get back into the postseason.   Some of the names will change but expect Roseburg to run and gun with anyone in the conference. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1661357' first='Mykah' last='Mendoza'] (20.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .556 fg%) really emerged last season and he could be a threat to lead all of 6A in scoring. The athletic lefty can really get hot from three-point range but also gets to the hoop and finishes at the rim. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1457598' first='Asher' last='Vredenburg'] (4.0 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2204996' first='Jullian' last='Lopez'] (1.6 ppg in 8 games) are both aggressive lead guards who will push the pace and get things going on both ends of the floor. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1953759' first='Owen' last='Bentea'] (7.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, .349 3pt%) is a hard-nosed fearless competitor who can knock down threes and Vincent Ash (0.3 ppg) also returns from last season.   Sheldon had to deal with the transfer portal during the off-season, but head coach Eric Orton likes the guys that stuck around. He'll count heavily upon point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1110574' first='Owen' last='Cramer'] (9.3 ppg, 2.6 apg), as rock-steady a floor leader he's ever had with the Irish. Backcourt mate and star football kicker [player_tooltip player_id='1368250' first='Rocco' last='Graziano'] (9.2 ppg, .359 3pt%) is also back and he's a physical guard who knocks down shots. One thing Orton has that most teams don't is a legit big man and 6-foot-9 [player_tooltip player_id='1606556' first='Ty' last='Read'] continues to come along with his game and he's still just a sophomore. Colby Parosa (1.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg) is also back to help out inside and a couple of varsity newcomers that should make an impact are 6-foot-4 juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2348781' first='Eli' last='Forsha'] and Nathen Sheley and 6-foot-3 Elijah Reed, senior transfer from Florida, could surprise some folks.   The dean of the conference is head coach Scott Plankenhorn at North Medford and once again the Black Tornado should be competing for a post-season berth. There are only three seniors on this year's roster but all will play key roles Houston King (11.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg) is a proven scorer and rebounder and the coach's son, [player_tooltip player_id='1497243' first='Andrew' last='Plankenhorn'] (6.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, .400 3pt%) is an experienced ball-handler and shooter, while Miguel Torres (4.7 ppg) is a solid glue-guy kind of guy. Junior Keenan Stewart (6.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) is a tremendous athlete who should increase his stats as should junior guard Easton Curtis (2.5 ppg).   Willamette rounds out the list but you can be assured the Wolverines will compete hard in every game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1278049' first='Braydon' last='Ace Long'] (11.9 ppg, .367 3pt%) leads the returnees and the senior guard will do everything he can to keep the team going in games. One of the top three-point shooters in the state, he's worked hard at making his game more well-rounded this off-season. Jayden Owens is the only senior listed on the roster, which is largely young and inexperienced. Look for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1983179' first='Jason' last='Butler'] and Cole Zumwalt to be key guys and point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1712134' first='Kaeden' last='Garcia'] has some promise for head coach Chad Carpenter.

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. While the top of the league looks to be about the same, the Southwest Conference looks more well-rounded overall this year. Here's how we see it turning out.