2024-25 6A Preview - Mt Hood Conference

The 2024-25 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 6A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. The Mt Hood Conference is loaded this year and features not one but two teams fully capable of winning the state championship. Here's how we see it turning out.   League Predictions   <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>Central Catholic</li>   <li>Barlow</li>   <li>Nelson</li>   <li>Gresham</li>   <li>Clackamas</li>   <li>David Douglas</li>   <li>Sandy</li>   <li>Reynolds</li> </ol>   Player of the Year: [player_tooltip player_id='1276626' first='Isaac' last='Carr'], Central Catholic   All-League Predictions: Carr; [player_tooltip player_id='1368247' first='Duce' last='Paschal'], Central Catholic; [player_tooltip player_id='1276625' first='Jalen' last='Atkins'], Barlow; [player_tooltip player_id='1387877' first='Brayden' last='Barron'], Barlow; [player_tooltip player_id='2026057' first='Braylon' last='Gaines'], Nelson   Top Sleeper/Newcomer: [player_tooltip player_id='2427510' first='Carter' last='Lockhart'], Central Catholic   State Tournament Threats: Central Catholic, Barlow   Other Post-Season Teams: Gresham, Nelson, Clackamas, David Douglas   Analysis   It's easy to use the phrase proverbial monkey off the back but the bottom line is Central Catholic lived up to expectations and won the 6A title, the school's first boys basketball championship in 30 years. So while in some cases the pressure is lessened, there's no question the Rams are still considered one of if not the favorite again in 2024-25. Head coach David Blue once again has a roster filled with not only talent but Division I collegiate talent that will strike fear on opponents every night on the basketball floor. Central Catholic will be led by two senior Division I signees in [player_tooltip player_id='1276626' first='Isaac' last='Carr'] (15.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, .414 3pt%, .864 ft%), who signed with Wake Forest, and [player_tooltip player_id='1368247' first='Duce' last='Paschal'] (12.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 spg), who signed with Weber State. Both players got physically stronger and more athletic during the off-season and Carr in particular is fully healthy and ready to put together a Player of the Year kind of season. [player_tooltip player_id='1582928' first='Zamir' last='Paschal'] (14.09 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, .433 3pt%), better known as "Bam", is the top-ranked junior in the entire state and has become a triple-double threat every game he steps on the court. He too has added strength and hops to his game. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1585573' first='Jalen' last='Nicholson'] (6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2026792' first='Robbie' last='Long'] (6.0 ppg, .436 3pt%) round out the potential starting five and if the 6-foot-7 Nicholson is fully healthy, watch out. If Blue wants to go big, junior post [player_tooltip player_id='1787372' first='Ryder' last='Zanon'] (2.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .556 fg%) has fantastic footwork and touch in the paint and made some huge strides this summer with his conditioning. The depth continues as a number of younger players will figure into the rotation such as juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2411676' first='Donovan' last='Miller'], Luddy Barron, and [player_tooltip player_id='1582932' first='James' last='Wade'], and add in the state's top ranked freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='2427510' first='Carter' last='Lockhart'] and Central Catholic is absolutely loaded. Can the Rams repeat as 6A champs? On paper they look like the favorites.   If there's any team that has something to say about preventing Central Catholic from repeating it's their league rivals Barlow. Once again, the Bruins will be arguably the most dangerous offense team in 6A and for the fourth year in a row, it will begin with senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1276625' first='Jalen' last='Atkins'] (17.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.9 apg, .872 ft%). As he rises up the state's all-time scoring list, the guard will continue to pile up points but also operate more as a traditional point guard - this summer he racked up multiple games of double digit assist efforts. With those passes he'll find fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1387877' first='Brayden' last='Barron'] (14.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1368245' first='Mason' last='Bierbrauer'] (15.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg) open for easy shots, while both can certainly create offense on their own as well. Barron, who signed early with Portland State, will also make a difference with his length and athleticism on both ends, while Bierbrauer will bring a blue-collar mentality to the boards and on defense. As always, what head coach Tom Johnson will be asking out of his other guys will be to effectively compliment these three guys. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1611707' first='Blake' last='Hills'] (5.9 ppg) can knock down open shots and look for younger players such as junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978342' first='Maddox' last='Young'] and sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='2026890' first='Maddyn' last='Cummings'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2026889' first='Silas' last='Gentry'] to be key contributors. One thing's for sure, Johnson will be a sentimental favorite by many to win a title to fully complete his legendary coaching resume and this team has a great shot at it.   The new kids on the block, Nelson continues its rise up in the Mt Hood Conference. With only three seniors, the core of the Hawks will continue to be largely young for head coach Daniel Blanks, but some incoming transfers will add experience. Still, the heart of the team will remain in a sophomore as [player_tooltip player_id='2026057' first='Braylon' last='Gaines'] (17.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 6.1 apg) proved immediately that he's a force. The point guard can score and pass, and his ability to get to the free throw line (141 made FTs) may be second to none in the state. One of the recipients of his passes is fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2026060' first='Jaydon' last='Schregardus'] (12.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .433 3pt%, 3.3 3pg), who also proved himself as a lethal three-point shooter with parking lot range. He's not the only shooter on the roster either as the aforementioned senior transfers - both from the 5A level - can also knock it down from beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='2204992' first='Jaiden' last='Pickett'] (15.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg at Putnam) comes in with a scoring mentality on the wing and will make a difference with his perimeter defense and [player_tooltip player_id='2244055' first='Ahshua' last='Neal'] (11.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg at Centennial) will add size and rebounding with his ability to face and shoot. [player_tooltip player_id='2470697' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga'] (7.6 ppg) was a major contributor last year and the junior is one of the top athletes on the team, as is sophomore transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2132795' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'] from Central Catholic. 6-foot-6 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2469344' first='Zaden' last='Richardson'] (3.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg) will add depth up front as the Hawks will likely go nine or ten deep every night.   There were some late changes at Gresham with the resignation of former head coach Corey Lockhart right after school started, but the Gophers ship will be steadied as assistant Cliff White takes over. That transition will mean the program will largely continue on with what they've been doing, which has been a lot of winning - and with the talent that returns in 2024-25, that should continue. It should start with the Artharee brothers, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1368248' first='Khaled' last='Artharee'] (10.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1653212' first='Kareem' last='Artharee'] (9.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg). Both stepped into bigger roles last season and will now elevate themselves into leading men. Both are versatile talents who had outstanding summers playing club basketball and Khaled has attracted the attention of college programs. Adding support will be a trio of juniors in Juma Whatley (6.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2120416' first='Levi' last='Gaither'], and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1582934' first='Jeremiah' last='Pichon'], who comes over from Cleveland. 6-foot-7 senior Reece Glasper could be a surprise in the post and freshman Terrae Foster is a fantastic outside shooter who could represent the future of the program. Look for the Gophers to play fast to utilize their athleticism to their advantage.   It was a rebuilding year at Clackamas in 2023-24 so the wins were few, but one of the benefits for head coach Ryan King is that he's got a lot of guys back with experience. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2348777' first='Seyi' last='Babatunde'] (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.4 spg) ranked second on the team in scoring and first in rebounding and it wouldn't be a surprise to see his numbers rise. He's a good athlete who plays hard on both ends. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2026062' first='RJ' last='Barhoum'] (9.3 ppg, 1.9 3pg) established himself as a dangerous shooter from deep and considering his range begins when he crosses the halfcourt stripe, he'll once again be given the green light to fire away when open. Senior Sean Baker may be a bit undersized in the paint at 6-foot-1 but brings a no-fear attitude on the boards and on defense, and others that will contribute by committee include senior Armani Williams and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2479596' first='Jaxon' last='Wetzler']. One thing you can always count on from a King-coached team is that they will play hard and bigger than their size indicates, meaning they will rarely be an easy out on any given night.   It's wild to think that Chad Reeves will be going into his 30th year at David Douglas - head coach since the mid 2000s - and year after year he gets the most out of what he has on the roster. That was the case last season as the Scots finished with a winning record and made it to the post-season and it wouldn't be surprising to see that happen again in 2024-25. Returnees from the starting lineup include seniors G Novelo (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1943663' first='Omar' last='Kassim'] (6.2 ppg, team-high 3.4 apg) and both are experienced performers who know the system. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2880548' first='Jackson' last='Satterthwaite'] (1.4 ppg in 5 games) is the third Satterthwaite brother to come up through the system and will be ready to ascend into a more prominent role, as will junior Luke Reeves (3.0 ppg, 1.3 apg), the coach's son. [player_tooltip player_id='2479595' first='Malakai' last='Fong'] (3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg) saw some minutes as a freshman and plays bigger than his size. As usual, there aren't any star names in particular but a bunch of hard-working young men who'll look to maximize their potential.   Sandy had an outstanding season and exceeded many expectations last year, but head coach Paul Henderson will be searching for how to replace what was lost from that senior-laden squad. He'll no doubt start with last year's leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1751485' first='Jacob' last='Brown'] (14.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, .380 3pt%), who at 6-foot-9 is not only one of the tallest players in the league but extremely skilled on the offensive end. The senior post can score down low but also can hit open jumpers while running the floor really well. The key will be to figure out who will be the next options on the team. Brayden Sievertsen (5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Johnathin Silvis (1.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg), and Justin Brenner (0.6 ppg in 13 games) appear to be the best candidates as they got some playing time last year, but once again it looks like the Pioneers will try to sneak up on some people who aren't familiar with them.   Rounding out the standings once again this year will be Reynolds, and while the focus is still on the future this year's squad should be improved. 6-foot-7 big man [player_tooltip player_id='1671255' first='Eddie' last='Szabatin'] (14.6 ppg, 12.6 rpg) emerged as a force for the Raiders and the junior will continue to be the focal point of the offense. He led all of 6A in rebounding last season. Many of the other players from last year's team also return, notably the starting senior backcourt of Delphin Bizimana and [player_tooltip player_id='1711765' first='Aaron' last='Chao'], and that will provide some stability. But what head coach Terrance Dickens is really excited about is his freshman class, which includes highly regarded players such as [player_tooltip player_id='2539779' first='Jae'lyn' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2539809' first='Victor' last='Jackson'], both of whom may earn immediate playing time to get them experience.

The 2024-25 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 6A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. The Mt Hood Conference is loaded this year and features not one but two teams fully capable of winning the state championship. Here's how we see it turning out.