2023 Capitol City Classic Preview
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The Capitol City Classic kicks off on Friday night and this year’s field features many top 5A and 6A squads in the mix – including the returning state champions in both divisions. Here’s a quick look at all of the…
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Continue ReadingThe Capitol City Classic kicks off on Friday night and this year’s field features many top 5A and 6A squads in the mix – including the returning state champions in both divisions. Here’s a quick look at all of the in-state teams participating and some of the players to watch out for.
Tualatin – The two-time defending 6A state champs make their debut in the CCC and have as good a shot as any in-state team to do major damage. Senior Jaden Steppe Jaden Steppe 6'8" | SF Tualatin | 2024 State #289 Nation OR leads the way for the Timberwolves and the Colorado State signee can get it done from pretty much anywhere on the basketball floor. Fellow CSU commit for football AJ Noland AJ Noland 6'0" | CG Tulalatin | 2024 State OR also returns in the backcourt and alongside him is rising sophomore point guard Jemai Lake Jemai Lake 5'11" | CG Tualatin | 2026 State OR . Other returnees include Cole Javernick Cole Javernick 6'4" | SF Tualatin | 2024 State OR and Zach Zuckerman Zach Zuckerman 6'0" | SG Tualatin | 2024 State OR as head coach Bubba Lemon has a team that’s athletic, strong, and experienced.
Wilsonville – The two-time defending 5A state champs have been a participant in the CCC from day one and once again look to make some noise. Head coach Chris Roche’s squad is off to a fast start having captured the title of their own event, the WIT, and as you might expect seniors Kallen Gutridge Kallen Gutridge 6'4" | SG Wilsonville | 2024 State OR and St. Thomas signee Kyle Counts Kyle Counts 6'7" | PF Wilsonville | 2024 State OR have led the way. Their two other returning starters Nick Colyer Nick Colyer 6'0" | CG Wilsonville | 2024 State OR and Emmett Fee Emmett Fee 6'5" | PF Wilsonville | 2025 State OR have also been solid and junior Jacob Boss Jacob Boss 6'3" | SG Wilsonville | 2025 State OR has emerged as an all-around threat on the offensive end.
Cascade Christian – The two-time defending 3A state champs come to the field for the very first time and are looking to prove that small schools can compete with the big boys. The Crusaders are led by Grand Canyon signee Austin Maurer Austin Maurer 7'0" | C Cascade Christian | 2024 State #209 Nation OR and the top big man in the state is fully healthy and ready to dominate. Freshman Avery Huston Avery Huston 6'2" | CG Cascade Christian | 2027 State OR is also set to make his debut on the big stage and returnees such as Peyton Maurer Peyton Maurer 6'3" | SF Cascade Christian | 2024 State OR and Deryk Farmer Deryk Farmer 6'2" | SG Cascade Christian | 2026 State OR will provide plenty of support for head coach Brian Morse.
Beaverton – The Beavers are back again at the CCC for the third year in a row and head coach Andrew Vancil has a squad that hopes to advance far in the bracket as they have the past couple of times. He’ll rely on the one-two guard punch of Aidan Rice Aidan Rice 6'2" | PG Beaverton | 2024 State OR and Max Elmgren Max Elmgren 6'0" | CG Beaverton | 2024 State OR to do damage from the perimeter and big man Chance Winter Chance Winter 6'10" | C Beaverton | 2024 State OR to anchor the middle – a senior trio that’s hard to top. If the supporting cast can step up in their roles, watch out.
West Salem – The Titans are the only school in the field who have ever won the CCC – they won it in 2021 – and West Salem hopes to make a run again this year. Head coach Travis Myers has two guys still around from that squad in seniors Jackson Leach Jackson Leach 5'10" | PG West Salem | 2024 State OR and Connor Oertel Connor Oertel 6'3" | SG West Salem | 2024 State OR , and they’re the team’s top two players. Matthew Luke will bomb away from the outside – just ask West Linn earlier this week about his clutch ability – and a number of others should contribute as well.
Woodburn – Woodburn made noise their first year back in 5A last season and have the returnees back to once again make some waves. Head coach Raul Veliz has two main components back of any good team – an experienced point guard in son Cruz Veliz Cruz Veliz 5'10" | PG Woodburn | 2025 State OR and a versatile big man in Liam Slattum Liam Slattum 6'8" | PF Woodburn | 2024 State OR . Brody Hawley Brody Hawley 6'4" | SG Woodburn | 2024 State OR is also back to bring his high-intensity style of play.
West Albany – The Bulldogs are one of the bigger teams in 5A and head coach Drew Halvorson feels they can take the next step and make it to state this season. Manchild Brysen Kachel Brysen Kachel 6'3" | PF West Albany | 2024 State OR leads the way for West Albany and he’s flanked by even more size with 6-foot-6 Austin Simmons and 6-foot-5 Owen Hopkins Owen Hopkins 6'3" | SG West Albany | 2025 State OR alongside him.
Sprague – The Olympians seem to be a regular at the CCC as one of the Salem area’s top teams each season and head coach Jordan Graneto will have a team ready to rack up some wins. Jarod Stanley Jarod Stanley 6'4" | PG Sprague | 2025 State OR has been a key guy so far and brothers Grayson Long Grayson Long 6'1" | CG Sprague | 2024 State OR and Braxton Long have consistently been scoring leaders in games as well. Senior transfer Greg Comer Greg Comer 6'2" | CG South Salem | 2024 State OR will always be a threat with his ability to get hot from three.
Century – Head coach Scott Kellar brings the Jaguars into the CCC coming off a fast start this season with their last two wins by 30 and 40 points. Century is a guard-oriented squad, led by senior Jordan Johnson Jordan Johnson 6'1" | CG Century | 2024 State OR and juniors Jessley Bukeyeneza and Islam Muzaffarov, and overall the Jaguars have good team speed and can really do damage in transition.
South Salem – A team built for the future, the Saxons could surprise some folks now. A big reason why for head coach Travis Brown is do-it-all senior Eli Gabriel Eli Gabriel 6'2" | CG Lakeview | 2024 State OR , who will be counted on for leadership this season. The sophomore trio of Teagan Scott Teagan Scott 5'11" | CG South Salem | 2026 State OR , Tko Westbrook Tko Westbrook 5'11" | CG South Salem | 2026 State OR , and Jack Lapray Jack Lapray 6'3" | SG South Salem | 2026 State OR is the main core for South Salem though and contributions from all three will be needed at the CCC.
Silverton – Head coach Jamie McCarty is back with the Silver Foxes after a year away and his presence alone will make Silverton a tough out in the CCC. One benefit is most of last year’s roster is back, with senior Elijah Howard and juniors Brody Kuenzi Brody Kuenzi 6'5" | PF Silverton | 2025 State OR and Sawyer Teeney the ones to keep an eye out for. The Silver Foxes are coming off a big win over Woodburn coming into the event.
Lake Oswego – It’s a new era in Lake Oswego and interim head coach Mark Swenson is slowly figuring things out so far this season in Laker Land. One guy he knew he could count on is senior Aengus Sutherland Aengus Sutherland 6'5" | SF Lake Oswego | 2024 State OR , who has been near unstoppable on the offensive end. Fellow senior Peter Cory and junior Corbin Cichy Corbin Cichy 6'3" | SF Lake Oswego | 2025 State OR have also been solid contributors so far this season as LO hopes to pull off some upsets in this year’s CCC.
North Salem – One of the younger teams at the CCC, the Vikings are certainly happy to be invited this year but are hopeful to get some wins as well. Junior guard Maverick Huynh Maverick Huynh 5'10" | PG North Salem | 2025 State OR has been the team leader so far in the scoring department, but also look out for guys like Shane Ryder and Antonio Alvarez as well.