2024-25 6A Preview – Pacific 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. While it would be easy to say the Pacific Conference is Sherwood's domain once again, this season it's going to be more competitive than usual. 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>Sherwood</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Forest Grove</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Century</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Liberty</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Glencoe</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>McMinnville</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Newberg</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2626956' first='Andwele' last='Bridges'], Forest Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-League Predictions:</strong> Bridges; [player_tooltip player_id='1910898' first='Connor' last='Parry'], Sherwood; [player_tooltip player_id='1910895' first='Walt' last='Rosenberg'], Sherwood; [player_tooltip player_id='1368244' first='Jessley' last='Bukeyeneza'], Century; [player_tooltip player_id='2348788' first='Tavian' last='Womack'], Liberty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2205094' first='Jackson' last='King'], Forest Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats: </strong>Sherwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Post-Season Teams:</strong> Forest Grove, Century</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bowmen look ready to reclaim the conference title in 2024-25. Head coach Rahim Tufts brings back a roster that should get the job done and they might have the tallest average starting lineup in the state with four starters standing 6-foot-3 and taller. Do-it-all senior [player_tooltip player_id='1910898' first='Connor' last='Parry'] (8.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.3 apg) will lead the way at either the point or on the wing and the Portland baseball signee is stronger and better than ever. Joining him in the backcourt will be fellow senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2678915' first='Brady' last='Hix']</strong> (9.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg), who won't be shy about firing away from the outside, and lanky wing [player_tooltip player_id='1606063' first='Brody' last='Rygh'] (8.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .384 3pt%), who is just as apt as hitting a three as he is finishing above the rim in transition. In the paint, Tufts can turn to 6-foot-6 senior returnee [player_tooltip player_id='1910907' first='Ben' last='Everhart'] (2.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) or 6-foot-7 transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1910895' first='Walt' last='Rosenberg'] (17.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg at McMinnville), making the Bowmen formidable down low on both ends. Rosenberg was a second-team all-league selection last season. If that weren't enough, super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2132836' first='Avery' last='Johnson'] (5.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) will figure into the mix. Sherwood has been just a step away from making it to the Chiles Center for the first time and given the right draw, this could be the year they make that leap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Sherwood on paper looks far away the best team in the league, don't sleep on Forest Grove. The Vikings have been slowly building the past few years under head coach Marc Roche and while they may still be a year away from really making some noise, they've got what it takes to grab one of the three post-season berths. A big reason why is junior [player_tooltip player_id='2626956' first='Andwele' last='Bridges'] (20.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.9 spg), who is already one of the top scorers in 6A. The guard can score from everywhere on the court and 2024-25 will be another big season for him. He'll get a chance to set the table for some talented teammates a little more this season too. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2374955' first='Jacob' last='Burke'] (7.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.7 apg) is back and his all-around ability and willingness to play on both ends makes him a glue guy extraordinaire. Looking to elevate into the starting lineup will be junior [player_tooltip player_id='2356522' first='Kasen' last='Lariz'] (5.2 ppg, .429 3pt%), and his smooth left-handed shooting stroke combined with his size makes him a tough matchup. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1604669' first='Nolan' last='Hudgins'] (5.5 ppg) adds more shooting from the perimeter and a real wildcard for the Vikings will be 6-foot-8 [player_tooltip player_id='2205094' first='Jackson' last='King'], one of the few guys in the league that has the size to battle with the big guys at Sherwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they were all ready to play without [player_tooltip player_id='1368244' first='Jessley' last='Bukeyeneza'] (15.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, .435 3pt%), a late development right before school led to the senior guard returning to Century. There are no hard feelings from head coach Scott Kellar - the dean of all coaches in the Pacific - who is happy to have last year's leading scorer and rebounder back in the fold as his presence may be the difference for the Jags making the post-season. Also returning in the backcourt is senior guard Islam Muzaffarov (14.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.9 ppg) who had a good summer after his breakout junior season. It's good that these two experienced players are back because the rest of the squad is green. <strong>Xzavier Garcia</strong> (0.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg in 6 games) got in a few minutes but he'll be counted upon for a lot more this season in the post. The same could be said for senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1688315' first='Mikah' last='Phommahasay'] (2 games) and [player_tooltip player_id='1951766' first='Michael' last='Arutyunov']. As usual Century will generally lack size and be a perimeter-oriented team, but they will be well-coached and prepared very game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty had a magical year last season winning the Pacific Conference but the graduation losses are heavy, along with the transfer of first team all-leaguer [player_tooltip player_id='1910894' first='James' last='Kefgen']. Head coach Mike Gregory still likes what he has coming back though as the Falcons may be a little small but they'll be fast and athletic. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2348788' first='Tavian' last='Womack'] (6.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, .557 fg%) is an all-league candidate and he'll be heavily counted upon to increase his offensive production. The same will be for junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2356525' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] (1.6 ppg) who should be up to the task. He's the younger brother of former Lake Oswego great Jazz Johnson. But other than senior guard <strong>Ayaan Ali</strong> (0.5 ppg) the rest of this year's squad is totally new to the varsity level. It will take some time for everything to gel and those guys get up to speed, but one thing's for sure - Gregory will coach them up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite ending last season on a 17 game losing streak, this looks like the year that Glencoe could surprise. Head coach Kevin "Pip" Bloodsaw sees a number of seniors moving on but there's some promise in the returnees and young talent that may lead the Crimson Tide to different results in 2024-25. One player that is a potential game changer is 6-foot-8 senior post [player_tooltip player_id='2348785' first='Dillon' last='Moody']. The big man has always been a shot-blocking threat but has continually made strides with his offensive game and confidence. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2205008' first='Terrence' last='Townsend'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2204991' first='Jacob' last='Diaz'] return in the backcourt and having gone through the fires of last season has made them stronger. Both had good summers of development. The rest of the roster will be learning on the fly as Glencoe hopes to notch some Ws in league play this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's one coaching change in the Pacific Conference and it was a big one as long-time head coach Willie Graham stepped down after the season. Former assistant Tucker Coil was tabbed for his replacement which gives the Grizzlies some continuity going forward. Player-wise, there's no question a huge hole needs to be filled with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='1910895' first='Walt' last='Rosenberg'] to Sherwood but the roster is not bare when it comes to experience. Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2723112' first='Brayden' last='Mix']</strong> (5.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.8 apg) is the leading returning scorer returning and you can expect that his stats will increase. The same can be said for fellow senior <strong>Tyler Franks</strong> (3.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg), who will probably inherit the post touches Rosenberg used to get. Junior guard <strong>Dylan Ferrua</strong> (2.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg) and senior <strong>Kane Sullivan</strong> (2.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg) are also back but the rest of the squad is new to the varsity level as Coil looks to develop his stamp on the program this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ask head coach Brett Vernon to give a general response about his team at Newberg this season and he won't hesitate with his answer - the Tigers are arguably the youngest team and perhaps least-experienced squad in all of 6A. There's only one returning varsity player and the roster includes four sophomores and one freshman. The one guy back is junior forward <strong>Parker Seller</strong> (3 ppg, 3 rpg), who's a bit undersized at 6-foot-1 but one of the best athletes on the team. He's also the quarterback of the football team. Senior <strong>Collin Wujcik</strong> will be a major contributor. The leading scorer on JV last season, he's a good shooter and athlete. The Tigers will look to junior Harrison Ramsey to run the point and Vernon feels confident he'll have a good season. There's a ton of learning on the fly and the focus won't be on wins and losses as Vernon is excited about all the learning that's ahead for his squad that will ultimately prepare them for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->