2023 Les Schwab Invitational Preview

The 27th Les Schwab Invitational kicks off on Tuesday and while there are some extremely talented out-of-state teams in the field, it's the in-state squads that form the core of the bracket. Here's a quick look at the in-state teams that are participating:   Barlow - Currently the #1 ranked team in the OSAA rankings, the Bruins have met all expectations so far. They've won all of their games by 8 or more points and have already proven themselves against worthy competition such as Beaverton and Tualatin. We've dubbed the trio of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1276625' first='Jalen' last='Atkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1368245' first='Mason' last='Bierbrauer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1387877' first='Brayden' last='Barron'] as "Lethal Weapon 3" and all three have exploded offensively at times this season. Head coach Tom Johnson will have his team prepared and ready to roll at the LSI.   Beaverton - One of four local teams to play in both the Capitol City Classic and LSI, Beaverton has done the double multiple times so it's nothing new to them. Head coach Andrew Vancil will lean on his talented senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1278329' first='Aidan' last='Rice'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197477' first='Max' last='Elmgren'], and big man [player_tooltip player_id='1268432' first='Chance' last='Winter'] as he has so far this season and they will no doubt carry the load this week. Rice in particular has really emerged as a difficult guy to match up with and they are coming off a great performance at the CCC.   Cascade Christian - One of the few 3A teams to ever get invited to the tournament, Cascade Christian got a taste of playing against the bigger schools at the Capitol City Classic. While it resulted in a 1-3 record, the experience gained will benefit head coach Brian Morse's squad at the LSI. Senior post and Grand Canyon signee [player_tooltip player_id='1110567' first='Austin' last='Maurer'] more than proved that he belonged on the big stage and should be primed to put up big numbers again at Liberty High School and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2026055' first='Avery' last='Huston'] is certainly one to watch.   Central Catholic - Arguably the team that could make it the furthest in the LSI is Central Catholic. Head coach David Blue has a squad that's extremely talented and the most recognizable names are a couple of Division I recruits in senior Pepperdine signee [player_tooltip player_id='1110583' first='Marley' last='Zeller'] and junior Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='1276626' first='Isaac' last='Carr']. The roster is deep as well with brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1368247' first='Duce' last='Paschal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1582928' first='Zamir' last='Paschal'] leading the way.   Jesuit - A staple at the LSI, the Crusaders have another squad that will be ready to take on anyone and everyone, whether it be an out-of-state power or top in-state team. The Crusaders have cut their teeth so far on a hard schedule and so far, it's a freshman in ultra-talented [player_tooltip player_id='2026054' first='Isaac' last='Bongen'] leading them in scoring. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1565732' first='Nico' last='Rafalovich'] and upstart junior [player_tooltip player_id='1643228' first='Patrick' last='Kilfoil'] are also offensive threats and there's no opponent that will outcoach Jesuit head coach Gene Potter on the sidelines.   Lake Oswego - The Lakers got their first couple of wins at the Capitol City Classic and continue to come together under new interim head coach Mark Swenson. In Salem it was [player_tooltip player_id='1507262' first='Aengus' last='Sutherland'] that proved he's one of the top seniors in the state and sophomore swingman [player_tooltip player_id='1604657' first='Liam' last='Rigney'] showed that he's a name to be watching out for in the future. The LSI will be another proving ground for a team looking to surprise some folks when league play starts.   Liberty - The host Falcons are in the LSI field for the first time in a while, but head coach Mike Gregory's team is well-deserving as one of the last undefeated 6A teams left in the state. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1268451' first='Tyler' last='Bradford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1110592' first='Donovan' last='Crowder'] lead the charge along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1910894' first='James' last='Kefgen'], one of the state's most devastating scorers that many have still yet to hear about. Liberty's home floor will be a great opportunity for this young and talented to make some noise.   Mountainside - Mountainside may be the newest school in the LSI bracket but anyone who's followed 6A knows head coach Dustin Hewitt's squad is well-deserving after reaching the state tournament the past couple of seasons. This year's team is aiming for a three-peat and behind star junior [player_tooltip player_id='1276628' first='Brayden' last='Boe'] they've got a chance. The starting backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1368229' first='Peyton' last='Reyes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1582931' first='Eli' last='Vizconde'] have stepped up their games so far this season and the Mavs are aiming to scratch out some wins in the tournament field.   Southridge - The Skyhawks come into the LSI with all cylinders clicking offensively. The senior backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2216278' first='Carter' last='Fortune'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197476' first='Kaden' last='Groenig'] have led the charge but juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1379047' first='Keenan' last='Reckamp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1496193' first='Alonzo' last='Hoff'] have also had big games, the latter coming up huge with the game-winning basket in a tough road win at Cleveland. This is the first time underneath the bright lights for head coach Phil Vesel's group but they should be prepared for the big stage.   Summit - The Storm have ducked nobody in their pre-season schedule, and this will be their third time in the Portland area after previously coming over to win in games at Canby and Grant. The only blemish so far on their record is a home loss to Roosevelt, who has proven to be one of the top 6A teams in the state so far. Look for Boise State signee [player_tooltip player_id='1110580' first='Pearson' last='Carmichael'] to do most of the damage offensively in his first-ever LSI appearance but other seniors such as [player_tooltip player_id='1113082' first='Collin' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1908818' first='Mac' last='Bledsoe'] will be critical contributors as well for head coach Jon Frazier.   Tualatin - The two-time 6A state champs took a couple of shots early with a couple of losses to Mountainside and Barlow, but recouped and put together a great performance at the Capitol City Classic with a third place finish. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1174265' first='Jaden' last='Steppe'] will be the headliner Timberwolf to watch, but fellow Colorado State signee for football [player_tooltip player_id='1266106' first='AJ' last='Noland'] has settled into a consistent secondary offensive threat, and sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1582973' first='Jemai' last='Lake'] continues to emerge as well for head coach Bubba Lemon.   West Linn - Last year's LSI champions - one of the very few in-state to ever win the title - is back in the field but head coach Robert Key's squad will largely be new. Two guys back from last year's champs that will have elevated roles are senior [player_tooltip player_id='1110578' first='Max' last='Juhala'] and Nick DiGiulio and expect both to lead the team in scoring. A talent making his LSI debut is freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2026061' first='Junior' last='Vialva'], who could be the next in line of great point guards in Lions history.

The 27th Les Schwab Invitational kicks off on Tuesday and while there are some extremely talented out-of-state teams in the field, it's the in-state squads that form the core of the bracket. Here's a quick look at the in-state teams that are participating: