2023 Les Schwab Invitational Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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 Jalen Atkins Jalen Atkins 6'2" | SG Barlow | 2025 State OR , Mason Bierbrauer Mason Bierbrauer 6'6" | PF Barlow | 2025 State OR , and Brayden Barron Brayden Barron 6'6" | SF Barlow | 2025 State OR 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 Aidan Rice Aidan Rice 6'2" | PG Beaverton | 2024 State OR , Max Elmgren Max Elmgren 6'0" | CG Beaverton | 2024 State OR , and big man Chance Winter Chance Winter 6'10" | C Beaverton | 2024 State OR 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 Austin Maurer Austin Maurer 7'0" | C Cascade Christian | 2024 State #209 Nation OR 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 Avery Huston Avery Huston 6'2" | CG Cascade Christian | 2027 State OR 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 Marley Zeller Marley Zeller 6'5" | SF Central Catholic | 2024 State OR and junior Oregon commit Isaac Carr Isaac Carr 6'3" | CG Central Catholic | 2025 State #75 Nation OR . The roster is deep as well with brothers Duce Paschal Duce Paschal 6'0" | CG Central Catholic | 2025 State OR and Zamir Paschal Zamir Paschal 5'10" | PG Central Catholic | 2026 State OR 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 Isaac Bongen Isaac Bongen 6'2" | SG Jesuit | 2027 State OR leading them in scoring. Senior Nico Rafalovich Nico Rafalovich 6'6" | SF Jesuit | 2024 State OR and upstart junior Patrick Kilfoil Patrick Kilfoil 6'0" | PG Jesuit | 2025 State OR 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 Aengus Sutherland Aengus Sutherland 6'5" | SF Lake Oswego | 2024 State OR that proved he’s one of the top seniors in the state and sophomore swingman Liam Rigney Liam Rigney 6'2" | SG Lake Oswego | 2026 State OR 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 Tyler Bradford Tyler Bradford 6'3" | SF Liberty | 2024 State OR and Donovan Crowder Donovan Crowder 5'9" | PG Liberty | 2024 State OR lead the charge along with junior James Kefgen James Kefgen 6'2" | SG Liberty | 2025 State OR , 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 Brayden Boe Brayden Boe 6'5" | CG Mountainside | 2025 State #254 Nation OR they’ve got a chance. The starting backcourt of Peyton Reyes Peyton Reyes 5'9" | PG Mountainside | 2025 State OR and Eli Vizconde Eli Vizconde 5'11" | CG Mountainside | 2026 State OR 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 Carter Fortune Carter Fortune 6'2" | PG Southridge | 2024 State OR and Kaden Groenig Kaden Groenig 5'9" | PG Southridge | 2024 State OR have led the charge but juniors Keenan Reckamp Keenan Reckamp 6'1" | PG Southridge | 2025 State OR and Alonzo Hoff Alonzo Hoff 6'6" | SF Southridge | 2025 State OR 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 Pearson Carmichael Pearson Carmichael 6'6" | SF Summit | 2024 State #270 Nation OR to do most of the damage offensively in his first-ever LSI appearance but other seniors such as Collin Moore Collin Moore 6'2" | CG Summit | 2024 State OR and Mac Bledsoe Mac Bledsoe 6'4" | SF Summit | 2024 State OR 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 Jaden Steppe Jaden Steppe 6'8" | SF Tualatin | 2024 State #289 Nation OR will be the headliner Timberwolf to watch, but fellow Colorado State signee for football AJ Noland AJ Noland 6'0" | CG Tulalatin | 2024 State OR has settled into a consistent secondary offensive threat, and sophomore point guard Jemai Lake Jemai Lake 5'11" | CG Tualatin | 2026 State OR 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 Max Juhala Max Juhala 6'5" | SF West Linn | 2024 State OR and Nick DiGiulio and expect both to lead the team in scoring. A talent making his LSI debut is freshman Junior Vialva Junior Vialva 5'11" | PG West Linn | 2027 OR , who could be the next in line of great point guards in Lions history.