2024-25 5A Preview: Midwestern League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 5A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year, courtesy of Jared Gensman of Oregon 5A Boys Basketball. The Midwestern League has traditionally always had some of the top teams in the classification, and this season is no different. Here's how we see it turning out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>League Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Churchill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thurston</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crater</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Eugene</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ashland</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Eagle Point</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Springfield</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year Candidates:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler'], Thurston; [player_tooltip player_id='1910899' first='Kyle' last='Bittle'], Crater; [player_tooltip player_id='1606556' first='Ty' last='Read'], Churchill; [player_tooltip player_id='2351853' first='Jace' last='Litten'], Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-League Predictions:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler'], Thurston; [player_tooltip player_id='1910899' first='Kyle' last='Bittle'], Crater; [player_tooltip player_id='1606556' first='Ty' last='Read'], Churchill; Crater; [player_tooltip player_id='2348779' first='JoJo' last='Harrower'], Ashland; [player_tooltip player_id='2351853' first='Jace' last='Litten'], Churchill; Noah Blair, Thurston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill'], Thurston; [player_tooltip player_id='2539792' first='Luke' last='Read'], Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tourney Threats:</strong> Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Post Season Teams:</strong> Thurston, Crater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers should be the clear front runners in the Midwestern League. They return junior second team all-league [player_tooltip player_id='2351853' first='Jace' last='Litten'], all-league honorable mentions Charlie Dexter, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2026086' first='Alonzo' last='Reyes']. Those three might have been enough to win league on their own, but they were the benefactor of landing 6'9” junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1606556' first='Ty' last='Read'] (7.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg, .540 fg% at Sheldon), and gaining a top 2028 prospect in 6'7” freshmen little brother [player_tooltip player_id='2539792' first='Luke' last='Read'] to the roster will be huge and automatically make them favorite all season long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colts have talent to compete against the best. They have a superstar in senior all-league player of the year [player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler'] (16.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, .477 3pt%), fellow senior second team all-league Noah Blair (13.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.8 spg), and a senior heavy roster. This is typically the formula that wins a lot of games, but the lack of skilled depth beyond incoming freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill'] will probably be what prevents them from being at the top, yet still be competitive in every game they play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets are looking to build on last year's success and take that next step, however Thurston and a much-improved Churchill will be standing in their way. Crater's key contributing returner is senior first team all-league two-way player [player_tooltip player_id='1910899' first='Kyle' last='Bittle'] (16.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 bpg, 1.9 spg). Kyle is an explosive player that should have an outstanding year and position himself as one of the best in state. Also returning is junior all-league honorable mention [player_tooltip player_id='2335526' first='Julien' last='Grant'] (7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2287516' first='Malachi' last='Barlow']. Both will offer some much-needed support for Bittle and the Comets who look good entering the preseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a great 2-year run of being tops in the league, the class of 2024 leaves voids that will prove difficult to replace this season. They had ten seniors on last year's team, this will allow for a lot of opportunity as well as inexperience as the Highlanders try to build the program back up. They did score junior transfer from Springfield, Jayden Robinson, a Midwestern honorable mention last season who is a great pickup for the Highlanders. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2539769' first='Damon' last='Keith'], a top 2028 state prospect, may be able to contribute early, and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2573945' first='Zach' last='Fisher'], one of only three returners will lead the squad going forward. North Eugene has the talent, but they may be a year away from reaching their peak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the Grizzlies this year will be second team all-league [player_tooltip player_id='2348779' first='JoJo' last='Harrower'] (13.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.5 apg), who I would expect to have a fantastic senior season, and all-league honorable mention senior [player_tooltip player_id='2044867' first='Jaydan' last='Hermogenes']. Both have the skill set and experience to hang with most teams but will likely struggle as Ashland doesn't have a deep roster that will prove difficult to overcome throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles were another team that was senior heavy last season, having ten in that 2024 class. This will be a team that will go through the growing pains of an inexperienced roster. The lone key contributor for this year's squad will be all-league honorable mention senior [player_tooltip player_id='2348789' first='Connor' last='Neyt'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Millers have a rough journey ahead. They will have a completely new look this season with only 2 returning players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->