2024-25 6A Preview – Central Valley Conference

<!-- 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 6A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. It should be another competitive year in the Central Valley Conference. 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>Sprague</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>McNary</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>West Salem</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Salem</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Salem</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year:</strong> Jerod Stanley, Sprague</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-League Predictions:</strong> Stanley; [player_tooltip player_id='1686592' first='Steven' last='Adams'], McNary; [player_tooltip player_id='1687840' first='Teagan' last='Scott'], South Salem; [player_tooltip player_id='1910911' first='Maverick' last='Huynh'], North Salem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1368253' first='Anthony' last='Best'], Sprague</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats:</strong> Sprague</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Post-Season Teams:</strong> McNary, West Salem, South Salem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From all indications, Sprague is the team to beat in the Central Valley this season with their experience, athleticism, and depth. The Olympians were impressive during the summer months as head coach Jordan Graneto was able to blend returnees and some impact transfers together into a winning formula. The question now will be how it translates into the regular season but the prospects look good. The leading returnees are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2722533' first='Braxton' last='Long'] (10.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.8 apg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1531536' first='Jarod' last='Stanley'] (16.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.5 apg). Long is rock solid at the point guard spot and Stanley is a hard matchup for opponents on the wing with his strength and explosive leaping ability. Senior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1368253' first='Anthony' last='Best'] (from Cascade) will provide athleticism and scoring both inside and out while fellow transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1747849' first='Elijah' last='Schmidt'] (from Arizona) can really get hot from the perimeter. Look for senior Dukatti Witherspoon (5.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and senior Avery Lohrman (5.6 ppg) to provide depth at multiple positions and 6-foot-7 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2428771' first='Lane' last='Isham'] will be a factor in the paint and star of the future. The Olympians will sneak up on some people and are a sleeper threat to make the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a junior-dominated squad at McNary this season but head coach Ryan Kirch is counting on a senior to lead the way in [player_tooltip player_id='1686592' first='Steven' last='Adams'] (16.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.9 spg). The point guard is one of best in school history and his quickness on both ends of the floor is almost second to none in the league. He's a candidate for league player of the year. He'll operate with 6-foot-6 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2468461' first='Aydn' last='Dallum'] who will be a force down low. He really turned heads this summer in June and in some camps and look for a big jump in contributions from his in 2024-25. Last year's second-leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2747499' first='Anthony' last='Fuentes'] (10.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.8 apg) is back and along with Adams and fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='2747502' first='Cole' last='Ricketts'], the three are serving as team captains. As always, the Celtics will be well coached up and hard-nosed on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a new era at West Salem as some long-time varsity stars have graduated and Dean Sanderson goes from assistant to head coach. There's quite a bit of roster turnover but as everyone knows, the Titans talent pool is deep and a number of guys are ready to step up. While things will largely be done by committee, look for seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2722615' first='Tyler' last='Hawkins'] (2.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg) and 6-foot-6 post Tyler Sommer (1.0 rpg in 2 games) to be consistent contributors, as will junior [player_tooltip player_id='2747493' first='Jacob' last='Sanderson'] (1.3 ppg in 10 games), the coach's son. An ace up the sleeve for Sanderson is 6-foot-6 junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2747496' first='Diggs' last='Sladek'], who comes in from 2A champion Western Christian. As he adjusts to big school play, he'll be a factor on both ends with his length and athleticism. Watch out for freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2534572' first='Jonah' last='Munns'] too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a bit of a rough to at South Salem last year at the end of the season but the Saxons have quickly rebounded and turned to new head coach Kip Ioane to right the ship. The former Willamette head coach is getting used to the high school scene but has quickly earned the respect of his team, which will once again be led by the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1687840' first='Teagan' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='2356234' first='Jack' last='Lapray'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1671256' first='Tko' last='Westbrook']. Now all juniors, they all have the ability to shoot and score. Seniors Elliot Carmichael-Kohn and [player_tooltip player_id='1368249' first='Josh' last='Feik'] are also experienced players that will help out. The Saxons aren't big so look for them to push the pace and apply pressure on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's also a change at North Salem as head coach Hemingway Huynh takes over the program, and the co-director of The Pac fully asserts there will be no conflict of interest when it comes to coaching the Vikings. Once again, North Salem will struggle against teams with size and strength but may have the upper hand with their senior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1910911' first='Maverick' last='Huynh'] (14.8 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1910902' first='Droiy' last='Comstock'] (transfer from Cascade). The duo could be one of the more underrated guard combos in all of 6A. Senior Keplan Barram (9.5 ppg) and junior Antonio Alvarez (6.7 ppg) also bring experience to the table as the Vikings will look to play up-tempo and utilize their shooting ability to compete in games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->