2023-24 6A Preview – Southwest Conference
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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.…
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Continue ReadingThe 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
- South Medford
- Grants Pass
- South Eugene
- Roseburg
- Sheldon
- North Medford
- Willamette
Player of the Year: Jackson Weiland Jackson Weiland 6'0" | PG South Medford | 2024 State OR , South Medford
All-League Predictions: Weiland; Peyton Bruner Peyton Bruner 6'3" | PG Grants Pass | 2025 State OR , Grants Pass; Owen Kramer, Sheldon; Mykah Mendoza Mykah Mendoza 6'1" | SG Roseburg | 2024 State OR , Roseburg; Trey Saunders Trey Saunders 6'0" | CG South Eugene | 2024 State OR , South Eugene
Top Sleeper/Newcomer: Ty Dahlin Ty Dahlin 6'3" | SG South Medford | 2024 State OR , 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 – Jackson Weiland Jackson Weiland 6'0" | PG South Medford | 2024 State OR (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 Ty Dahlin Ty Dahlin 6'3" | SG South Medford | 2024 State OR (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 Jed Johnson Jed Johnson 6'4" | PF South Medford | 2026 State OR and 6-foot freshman guard Carter Mills Carter Mills 6'0" | CG South Medford | 2027 State OR 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 Gavin McLean Gavin McLean 6'3" | SF Grants Pass | 2024 State OR (7.2 ppg) and junior Peyton Bruner Peyton Bruner 6'3" | PG Grants Pass | 2025 State OR (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 Luke Morgan Luke Morgan 6'3" | SF Grants Pass | 2024 State OR (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 Trey Saunders Trey Saunders 6'0" | CG South Eugene | 2024 State OR (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 Landyn Bryant Landyn Bryant 5'9" | PG South Eugene | 2024 State OR (15.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.3 apg) and Koen Thurman Koen Thurman 5'9" | PG South Eugene | 2024 State OR (10.9 ppg, 4.4 apg) in a three-headed guard attack that could be the best in the league. Junior Levi Hawes Levi Hawes 6'3" | SF South Eugene | 2025 State OR (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 Mykah Mendoza Mykah Mendoza 6'1" | SG Roseburg | 2024 State OR (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 Asher Vredenburg Asher Vredenburg 5'11" | CG Roseburg | 2024 State OR (4.0 ppg) and Jullian 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 Owen Bentea Owen Bentea 6'0" | CG Roseburg | 2025 State OR (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 Owen Cramer Owen Cramer 5'10" | PG Sheldon | 2024 State OR (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 Rocco Graziano Rocco Graziano 6'1" | PG Sheldon | 2025 State OR (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 Ty Read Ty Read 6'9" | C Sheldon | 2026 State OR 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 Eli Forsha Eli Forsha 6'4" | SF Sheldon | 2025 State OR 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, Andrew Plankenhorn Andrew Plankenhorn 5'10" | PG North Medford | 2024 State OR (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 Braydon Ace Long Braydon Ace Long 6'0" | CG Willamette | 2024 State OR (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 Jason Butler Jason Butler 6'1" | SG Willamette | 2025 State OR and Cole Zumwalt to be key guys and point guard Kaeden Garcia Kaeden Garcia 5'9" | PG Willamette | 2026 State OR has some promise for head coach Chad Carpenter.