Midseason Update – 5A Midwestern Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball in the Willamette valley is back under way after multiple delays and cancellations due to inclement winter weather. The Midwestern Conference looks like it will send another group of teams to the 5A Oregon state playoffs at Gill Coliseum on the campus of Oregon State University. Here is a breakdown of the standout players at the midway point of the season from a few of the contenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Eugene</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1110575' first='Joey' last='Banry'] Point Guard 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three year starter leads the #2 ranked Highlanders on and off the court. Banry does a great job of setting the table for the high octane North Eugene offense. He is willing to sacrifice his body for the good of the team and has taken a number of charges this season. Offensively, he has displayed a number of great finishing moves including a nice euro step. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zach Fisher Stretch Forward 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highlanders are loaded with seniors but do not sleep on the 6'5" sophomore Fisher. He has shown flashes of a high upside in limited action. North Eugene has great length on the wing and could use a boost in the interior from this super sophomore. Fisher has also shown that he can knock down the three without hesitation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elias McKinnis Guard 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKinnis is knock down shooter from long range for Blake Gee's squad. They use him coming off of pin downs and elevator screens where he has consistently knocked down triples. The Highlanders will need his shooting as they move toward Gill. McKinnis is currently chatting with NAIA, D3, and NWAC schools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1495286' first='India' last='Mohiuddin'] Wing 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4" wing has shown the ability to consistently knock down the three and is currently giving North Eugene sixteen a night. Mohiuddin uses his long frame to be a disruptor in the Highlanders pressure defensive schemes. His hands are active and is averaging a couple of steals a game. His active defense is pivotal as North Eugene looks to transition from pressure defense to the fast break. Word is a few junior and small colleges are showing interest as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1315364' first='Jonas' last='Spencer'] Wing 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spencer has come on of late and been a force for North Eugene. He is another long defensive threat that gets his hands on a lot of errant passes. Offensively, Spencer excels in transition and has demonstrated some smooth finishing moves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thurston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker Bonar Guard 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bonar provides a physical presence at the guard position for the Colts. He stirs the drink for the Thurston offense and has displayed the ability to drive and kick to open teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler'] Wing 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stiffler is another very physical player for the Colts. At 6'5" he gives Thurston some inside punch. He can also step out and shoot from long range. Stiffler has one of the best upsides among the junior class in the Eugene/Springfield area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crater</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1910899' first='Kyle' last='Bittle'] Wing 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bittle has shown steady improvement since the summer AAU circuit. His athleticism was on display against North Eugene with nice dunk in traffic after attacking a close out. Bittle is another under the radar player in Southern Oregon and could blossom this summer into a legit big time recruit playing for West Coast Elite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cody Duckwitz Wing 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duckwitz has come on of late for the Comets. He shoots the ball well and has a solid basketball IQ. Crater should challenge for a spot at Gill and Duckwitz could be an important part of their run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Churchill</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1598089' first='Max' last='Montgomery'] Guard 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery is currently averaging eighteen a game for Sky Stickney's Lancers. He provides offensive punch on a young Churchill team looking to improve and finish the season well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->