2024-25 5A Preview – Pre-Season Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 boys basketball season is upon us and while admittedly there are some heavy hitters at the top, there's no question in general that it is going to be extremely competitive at the 5A level. After watching guys play in the summer and fall and attending a number of open gyms and practices to get a closer look at everyone, here's our pre-season top ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":10} --> <ol start="10" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Summit</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's basically a complete restart at Summit this year from the top down, as Joe Wells is the new head coach and the roster is essentially new - but anyone that follows 5A closely knows the Storm have a deep base of talent. So while there are plenty of fresh faces, they are all talented and just simply lack the varsity experience. While the faces will be new, the last names will ring a bell as Summit will be led by the younger brothers of former standouts. That said, guys who figure to be major contributors include [player_tooltip player_id='2124992' first='Andy' last='Bledsoe'], [player_tooltip player_id='2575668' first='Foster' last='Kettering'], [player_tooltip player_id='1582972' first='Abraham' last='Taylor'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1606559' first='Matthew' last='Tompkins'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":9} --> <ol start="9" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Caldera</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team in the IMC with a new head coach is Caldera, who tabbed Evan Dougherty to lead the way. He inherits a team that will challenge for the conference title, with plenty of talent and experience at all positions. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1426709' first='Jack' last='Bents'] was a first-team all-league honoree last season and along with fellow seniors Miles Macomber and [player_tooltip player_id='1910903' first='Aiden' last='Cruz'], form a perimeter trio arguably as good as any in the state. The Wolfpack also have something very few teams possess as they have an athletic big man in 6-foot-8 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1770295' first='Will' last='Jenson']. If he remains healthy, watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":8} --> <ol start="8" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>La Salle</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Sean Kelly has kept La Salle a perennial power since he arrived on campus a few years ago and this year's version of the Falcons will once again be in contention. They will be a little smaller than in years past but they've got the depth and experience to make them dangerous. The coach's son Aiden Kelly will be a key guy both inside and out, and guards such as [player_tooltip player_id='1910901' first='Vance' last='Sheffield'], [player_tooltip player_id='1920333' first='Paul' last='Skoro'], [player_tooltip player_id='2205007' first='Tate' last='Kullberg'], and Sam Johnson have been through the wars. Lightning quick sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2211742' first='Riggy' last='Khyungra'] is a matchup nightmare and could be a breakout star this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":7} --> <ol start="7" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Centennial</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been quite the turnaround from the depths of losing to a winning program, but this could be the year that head coach Demetruis McQuarn has Centennial taking that next step. The Eagles have a deep roster that is arguably the most athletic in all of 5A and the competitive level is high. Steady seniors such as [player_tooltip player_id='2244057' first='Naoli' last='Besha'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2394758' first='Elijah' last='Malloy'] will provide leadership, and sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2026871' first='Darius' last='Andrews'] is a rising star. Junior Benson transfers [player_tooltip player_id='2240507' first='Sincere' last='Powe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2442280' first='Harold' last='Turner'] come on board to join former teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1662765' first='Quentin' last='Neal'] and super-athletic sophomore swingman [player_tooltip player_id='2539884' first='Aazzee' last='Breaux'] is a name to keep an eye this year and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":6} --> <ol start="6" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thurston</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Blaine Liberatore once again has a roster that could not just win the Midwestern League but go all the way. A big reason why is the MWL Player of the Year is back in [player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler'], who is primed to have a huge senior season. Fellow senior Noah Blair had a big summer and his combination of strength and athleticism makes him a tough matchup for opposing defenders. Juniors Lucas LaBounty and Logan Piquette are due for jumps in their contributions and the Colts star of the future in [player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill'] will more than make himself known during the 2024-25 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Churchill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was odd to see Churchill out of the post-season last season but that won't be the case again for head coach Sky Stickney's crew. The Lancers bring back practically everyone from last season and add two of the tallest players in all of 5A to their roster in 6-foot-9 Sheldon transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1606556' first='Ty' last='Read'] and his 6-foot-7 freshman younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='2539792' first='Luke' last='Read'], who just happens to be one of the top freshmen in the state. The players coming back are stronger and more experienced, led by sophomore sharp-shooting athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2351853' first='Jace' last='Litten'], sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2026086' first='Alonzo' last='Reyes'], and big man Charlie Dexter. The size, strength, and athleticism are there for Churchill to capture the MWL title and make it back to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>West Albany</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based solely on their returnees, West Albany seems to have what it takes to challenge for the Mid-Willamette title and return to the state tournament. It starts with all-league senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2046424' first='Gavin' last='Aguilar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2045350' first='Owen' last='Hopkins'], both of whom can really score the basketball in multiple ways. There is a big hole to replace with the graduation of Brycen Kachel in the paint, but senior Austin Simmons and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2572921' first='Tyson' last='Walker'] should capably fill in the gap. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1958534' first='Jonah' last='Lasselle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2462672' first='Robert' last='Southard'] are more perimeter shooting threats for head coach Drew Halvorsen as the Bulldogs have one of the more high-octane offenses in all of 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Redmond</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Redmond appears to be the class of the IMC. A lot of that has to do with the fact the majority of head coach Reagan Gilbertson's team is back and they will be hungry to make another foray not only for the league title but a deep post-season run. Heading the charge is point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1726569' first='Ian' last='Pearson'], 5A's assist leader, who will plenty of options to dish the ball to including [player_tooltip player_id='1775432' first='Jack' last='Snyder'], [player_tooltip player_id='2354384' first='Wyatt' last='Horner'], and Ukiah Monson. The Panthers are not only potent on the offensive end but are super tough defensively with their physical brand of basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Woodburn</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, Woodburn looks like not only the favorite to win the Mid-Willamette Conference but one of the favorites to take home the 5A title. It obviously won't be easy but head coach Raul Veliz has the horses to get things done in 2024-25. It all will start with his son, senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1368274' first='Cruz' last='Veliz'], who's a candidate for 5A player of the year and should have a huge season. What nice is he doesn't have to do it all himself as returnees such as [player_tooltip player_id='2356006' first='Anthony' last='Figueredo'], Dylan Renteria, and Fernando Del Rio are also major contributors that are back, as is McNary transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2204986' first='Esai' last='Carrasquillo'] who comes back to the Bulldogs after a year away. Woodburn has the pedigree of a championship contender with their great guard play, depth, and experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wilsonville</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilsonville is near the top if not at the top of the pre-season rankings most of the time and that's the case again this season. Head coach Chris Roche had a title contending team with just who was returning, but the addition of some impact transfers make them arguably the favorite to win it all. The senior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1368276' first='Cole' last='Hammack'] (from North Marion) and [player_tooltip player_id='1604668' first='Drake' last='Devin'] (from Hermiston) will immediately step in as one of the top one-two punches around, and then when you add on returnees in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2348760' first='Emmett' last='Fee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2297386' first='Jacob' last='Boss'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1687835' first='Brooks' last='Carter'], not to mention 6-foot-8 freshman big man Michael Ratliffe. After losing a heartbreaker in the title game last season, Wilsonville will be motivated to not let that happen again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->