2023-24 6A Preview - Three Rivers League

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. As usual, the Three Rivers League (TRL) will be extremely competitive from top to bottom. Here's how we see it turning out.   League Predictions   <ol> <li>Tualatin</li>   <li>West Linn</li>   <li>Oregon City</li>   <li>Lakeridge</li>   <li>Lake Oswego</li>   <li>Tigard</li> </ol>   Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1174265' first='Jaden' last='Steppe'], Tualatin   All-League Predictions: Steppe; [player_tooltip player_id='1458101' first='Cole' last='Holum'], Lakeridge; [player_tooltip player_id='1110578' first='Max' last='Juhala'], West Linn; [player_tooltip player_id='1507262' first='Aengus' last='Sutherland'], Lake Oswego; [player_tooltip player_id='1346388' first='Dylan' last='Westermeyer'], Oregon City   Top Sleeper/Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='2132800' first='Pat' last='Vialva Jr'], West Linn   State Tournament Threats: Tualatin, West Linn   Other Post-Season Teams: Oregon City, Lakeridge, Lake Oswego   Anaysis   After two straight titles, it would be tough to bet against Tualatin as a legitimate threat to three-peat as 6A champions. The loss of one of the program's best of all-time in Josiah Lake (25.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg) is certainly a tough task, but the Timberwolves have enough returning to compensate. It all begins with [player_tooltip player_id='1174265' first='Jaden' last='Steppe'] (19.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.2 apg), who could lay claim to being the most unstoppable offensive force in 6A. The 6-foot-8 Colorado State signee can score from everywhere on the court and especially inside there are very few that can match up with him physically. Replacing Lake may seem like an insurmountable task but the Timberwolves only have to stay within the same family and turn the ball over to [player_tooltip player_id='1582973' first='Jemai' last='Lake'] (1.3 ppg in 9 games). The sophomore is extremely skilled, has grown physically over the summer, and could be further along in his development at this stage than his older brother. [player_tooltip player_id='2056360' first='Cole' last='Javernick'] (1.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg) returns on the wing and should be ready to take on an elevated role and football standouts such as [player_tooltip player_id='1266106' first='AJ' last='Noland'] (7.0 ppg, 2.0 apg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1565736' first='Zach' last='Zuckerman'] (1.8 ppg) will bring athleticism and toughness to the mix. Two more gridiron stars that will make an impact if healthy will be [player_tooltip player_id='1110572' first='Jayden' last='Fortier'] (5.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1370666' first='Nolan' last='Keeney'] (7.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg at Westview), but at press time it appears they may both be out of action this season. With or without them, head coach Bubba Lemon has seemingly everything on his roster to capture the league title and challenge for yet another trophy.   While Oregon high school legend Jackson Shelstad (28.2 ppg, 3.6 apg) and a whole host of seniors have moved on from West Linn, those in the know aren't shedding any tears for head coach Robert Key. The Lions have one of the deepest programs in the state when it comes to talent and a whole host of young players who have been chomping at the bit to play will get their chance this season. Two returnees that played major minutes last season will emerge as the team leaders in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1110578' first='Max' last='Juhala'] and Nick DiGiulio (8.8 ppg, .438 3pt%). Juhala, a sharpshooter from long range who buried over 57 percent of his three-point attempts, further developed his all-around game and should help in every phase of the game. DiGiulio, the owner of one of the fastest shot releases in the state, ranked among 6A's leaders in threes made per game. Adding even more of a threat from the outside will be junior [player_tooltip player_id='1611687' first='Jalen' last='Snook'] and fellow juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1662767' first='Kevin' last='Benson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1611686' first='Sawyer' last='Young'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1611748' first='Warren' last='Stanton'] will be threats on both sides of the ball. Joining the mix is an extremely talented group of freshmen, of which Key is high on point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2132800' first='Pat' last='Vialva Jr'], who could start from day one. The team will be young and inexperienced and the toughness of last year's squad will certainly be missed, but the Lions are certainly loaded with potential.   In third appears to be Oregon City and head coach Aaron Newkirk has a very seasoned and experienced group ready to do big things. The senior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1110739' first='Deon' last='Best'] (11.0 ppg, 3.8 apg) at the point and Whitworth-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1346388' first='Dylan' last='Westermeyer'] (13.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg) on the wing will be in its third year starting and both are set on having big final years at the high school level. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1450157' first='Gylan' last='Payne'] (6.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg) cut his teeth on the varsity level last season and despite some injuries this summer, is set on adding more offensive punch to the offense. The Pioneers have some size inside with senior [player_tooltip player_id='2054510' first='Miles' last='Daly'] (3.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, .725 fg%), who is extremely efficient around the basket and will be physical and ready to mix it up with anybody. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2054373' first='Alijah' last='Scott'] showed some athleticism and scoring ability this summer and if senior Holden Geister (3.2 ppg) has fully recovered from an ankle injury over the off-season, Oregon City will definitely be in the post-season conversation if not the league title hunt.   Despite the fact they haven't won a league game in years, Lakeridge is set on showing this isn't your older brother's Pacers squad. In fact, new head coach Jimmy Watts inherits a group that has the potential to not only win some league games but challenge for the post-season. One guy who looks really ready for the step up into the spotlight is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1458101' first='Cole' last='Holum'] (6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg). The now 6-foot-9 post added strength and athleticism in the off-season and with a much more aggressive attitude taking the ball strong to the basket and finishing at the rim, will certainly be a force to contend with. The top returning leading scorer is [player_tooltip player_id='1908824' first='Patrick' last='Napierala'] (9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.0 apg) who at 6-foot-5 can really stroke it from the outside but has the physical frame to help out inside too. Ready to breakout as a senior is [player_tooltip player_id='1565731' first='Nick' last='Ghetie'] (2.5 ppg, 1.5 apg) who will take over the reins at the point, and senior Daniel Bassaly and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2080025' first='Jack' last='Clarke'] provide additional depth in the paint.   For the first time in almost a decade, Marshall Cho won't be on the sidelines for Lake Oswego. The Lakers have turned to interim head coach Mark Swenson to rally the troops and he's turned to good friend and former Linfield head coach Shanan Rosenberg to help out. While a lot is lost to graduation and transfer - including the high-scoring Winters Grady (26.7 ppg) who is off to Prolific Prep - there is enough back to keep Lake Oswego competitive. [player_tooltip player_id='1507262' first='Aengus' last='Sutherland'] (10.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .596 fg%) is one of those key returnees and the senior will be heavily counted on to use his athleticism and physical presence to score and rebound. Look for him to double his averages from last year and games of 20 points and 10 rebounds become the norm. Other returnees expected to take on bigger roles include senior point guard Peter Cory, one of the best athletes on the team, and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1315378' first='Corbin' last='Cichy'], a deadeye shooter. Of the younger players moving up, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1953758' first='Carter' last='Dietz'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1604657' first='Liam' last='Rigney'] have some offensive potential.   Rounding up the league standings will be Tigard, who will be almost an entirely new squad from last year's team after graduating all five starters and over 60 points per game. That's all good for veteran head coach Shawn Alderman, who feels he's got a group of hungry kids eager to learn that will be fun to coach and work with. One guy that's he's got back who got significant minutes last year who will be counted on a lot will be point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587916' first='Colt' last='Ness']. The junior point guard is shifty off the dribble and it's easy to imagine the offense running through him. The rest of the roster is very inexperienced but look for athletic senior guard Jason Amens and rugged forward Jack Hagen to make plays. And while their roles are yet to be determined, look out for sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='1606562' first='Kingston' last='Hunter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1611673' first='Dominic' last='Gold'], two dynamic transfers who may represent the future of the program.

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. As usual, the Three Rivers League (TRL) will be extremely competitive from top to bottom. Here's how we see it turning out.