2026 Rankings Update – Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 season is halfway finished and as we have watched and monitored games all over the state, we have gathered enough intel to update the Class of 2026 rankings. There are a number of brand new names added to the list from last time - here's a look at the top ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2744978"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679923ad23b67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The highest debut out of any newcomer comes from LaBounty, who has taken on the role of leading scorer for the Colts as returning Midwestern Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1503810' first='Nate' last='Stiffler'] has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries. The junior guard can get buckets in a number of ways and it's clear we need to get out and get an updated look at him as we still lack a headshot of him in our files.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2744991"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2755518,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679923ad23c1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray first caught our eye over the holidays at the Silverton tournament with his ability to put points on the board at multiple levels. He's emerged as the go-to scorer for a relatively balanced squad that lost a lot from last year's state tournament team. The junior can knock down shots and create off the dribble and should get even more dangerous as he adds strength to his lanky frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2747496"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2755495,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679923ad23cae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The omission of Sladek was a mistake as the junior was a dominant force for 2A Western Christian last season. The adjustment to 6A basketball has taken some time - partly due to injuries - but the versatile forward has a ton of potential. He's long, lanky, and capable of making a difference on both ends with his versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2745242"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2755496,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679923ad23d3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller was one of the top fresh finds so far this season. The 6-foot-2 junior is a point guard with some size and in the game we watched of him and Lebanon, he was dominant both with his scoring and playmaking as opposing guards simply couldn't match up with him. As with anyone adjusting to a larger role there have been some ups and downs but the upside with Miller is there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2747493"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2755494,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679923ad23dcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A multi-sport athlete, Sanderson has taken on the reins of leader both and off the court for the Titans. The son of head coach Dean Sanderson has taken on his father's firey personality and it especially shows on the defensive end with his tenacity as an on-ball defender. A point guard who's already registered games with double-digit assists, the junior has proven to be a key cog in West Salem's quest for the Central Valley title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2747514"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2755519,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679923ad23e5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our first look at Lowenbach was at last year's 4A state tournament where we were very intrigued by the 6-foot-6 forward's abilities as a stretch post player. His development has continued as a junior as he's proven to be a threat knocking down open threes but also posting up inside, hitting the boards and using his length to be a factor on defense. A number of college programs already have him on their radar and we hope to get an updated view of him soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2747508"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2755520,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679923ad23ee6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another fun find for us so far this season was Alsharif, who instantly made an impression with us with his quickness on both ends of the floor. The junior lefty can really explode to the basket off the dribble and defensively, his quick hands create havoc with his on-the-ball steals or playing the passing lanes. Alsharif has been a major part of new Corvallis head coach Joe Casey's rebranding of the Spartans program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->