Northwest Shootout – Top Performers
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The 30th Annual Northwest Shootout took place on Sunday as a roster filled with many of the top players from the Class of 2024 in Oregon took on a similar squad from Washington. Overall it was a tight affair that…
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Continue ReadingThe 30th Annual Northwest Shootout took place on Sunday as a roster filled with many of the top players from the Class of 2024 in Oregon took on a similar squad from Washington. Overall it was a tight affair that saw Washington take a lead into the half and the neighbors to the north of the Columbia River rode on the backs of big performances from stars Virginia-bound Jacob Cofie and Weber State-bound Trevor Hennig (30 points). But Oregon took control in the second half and came away with the win, 105-98, for their first win in the series since 2018.
Here’s a look at Oregon’s performers in the game.
Named the game’s MVP, Zeller was on target with his jump shot from both the three (including a four-point play) and the mid-range pull-up, and had a couple of scores at the basket as well including the finish of an alley-oop. 18 points total for the state champ and recent Loyola Marymount signee.
Oregon’s leading scorer on the day was Steppe, who got his buckets at all three levels with his team-high 22 points. The future Coloado State Ram was particularly hot from three, hitting four from deep, including a couple pull-ups in transition, and really got out on the break to throw down a trio of thunderous dunks. Great way for the 6A Player of the Year to wrap up his prep career.
If there were any lingering doubts about Maurer’s ability to hang with the best, they were finally silenced at the Northwest Shootout. The state Gatorade Player of the Year not only got tough buckets inside through contact but also stepped out and knocked down a couple of threes from up top. He finished with 16 points and a team-high 8 rebounds to go along with a handful of blocked shots as he heads off to Grand Canyon.
We all know that Hill can score the basketball – at the Northwest Shootout the future college point guard showed he can pass. The 6A First Team All-State honoree finished with 8 assists, consistently finding the open man in the second half, and hit a bunch of clutch free throws down the stretch to finish with 10 points. He recently decommitted from Utah State but hopes to find a new college location in the near future.
Carmichael may have only finished with 6 points, but he was a critical piece of the win as he not only on the floor at the start the game but at the end as well. The 6-foot-7 wing utilized his size and length to be effective on defense and he also did a good job securing the boards, especially on the defensive end. The future Boise State Bronco finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds.
For much of the game, head coach Gregg Griffin substituted 5-in, 5-out, and Rice was the top scorer on the second unit. He shot the ball well – hitting three threes in the first half – and made his mark on defense with a team-high 2 steals. Rice remains unsigned but recently took a visit to Western Washington.
Highlights
Another double figure scorer from the second unit was Gutridge. The future Oregon State quarterback was sharp with his jumper, hitting a couple of open threes from the wing but also showed nice form on a couple of pull-up baseline shots as well. While the plan is first and foremost football with the Beavers, there are some discussions between the football and basketball coaching staffs about the possibility of him walking on for hoops his freshman season.
6A’s leading scorer, Overby made the most out of his touches when he was in the game. The future Willamette Bearcat scored the way he did all year long at Lincoln, taking it strong to the hole to his left and finishing at a high percentage, with one of his buckets through contact for a traditional and-one. He finished with 7 points.
It wasn’t a huge scoring game for White – just one three in the first half – but the Roosevelt senior played with good energy on both ends and showed off his natural quickness and desire to push the ball up court. Currently undecided on his future college plans, we’ll post an update on him soon.
Quiet day for Rafalovich, but he got on the board scoring wise with a mid-range jumper in the second half and also did some solid work on the defensive boards in the second half. The Metro League co-Defensive Player of the Year (along with Rice) remains unsigned and available.