Panthers Piling Up Commitments

Since becoming the full-fledged head coach at PCC, head coach Cameron Mitchell has delivered results. The Panthers have posted 20+ wins and made deep NWAC playoff runs the past couple of seasons, and a big part of the team's success has come from players with Oregon roots. That recruiting strategy has worked for the program and Mitchell has reached into that well again so far this signing cycle, nabbing commitments from in-state standouts in Putnam guard Jaxson Spafford Jaxson Spafford 5'11" | PG Putnam | 2025 State OR , Hood River Valley guard Zac Poole Zac Poole 5'11" | PG Hood River | 2025 State OR , and Tigard big man Seth Johnson Seth Johnson 6'8" | PF Tigard | 2025 State OR .

In Spafford, the Panthers add a dynamic guard who proved himself as one of 5A's top bucket-getters the past two seasons. In 2024-25 he averaged 22.6 points per game after averaging 21.2 points as a junior, and led the state in free throw percentage in both years. Also a dynamic passer who can get his teammates involved, the senior guard picked the Panthers over interest from other NWAC schools as well as a number of the D-III schools in the area.

"I went into it with an open mind and didn't know much about PCC just that they have produced some high level guards over the past couple of years," Spafford said. "I got into contact with coach Brendan after a league game and was totally stoked and started talking and even went to a couple of games and kept building a relationship with both coach Brendan and coach Mitchell. I started to really fall in love with there style of play and the expectations they hold for all there players - both not even just on the court but outside of the classroom and how they actually care about you like family. For me that's huge."

"Once the season ended I toured the campus and worked out with there guys and even the players welcomed me in like family from the jump," Spafford continued. "After the one workout that sealed the deal for me and my family - I knew that was where I want to be. I talked to a couple great schools through the recruitment process and all of the coaches, players, and programs I am very grateful for because they were amazing and believed in me but nothing felt like home and more of a perfect fit than PCC . I'm excited to get to work and be apart of the Panther family!"

Joining Spafford in the freshman backcourt is another high-scoring guard in Zak Poole. The senior averaged 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 steals last season, almost helping lead the Eagles to the post-season. Like Spafford, he's a career 1000+ point scorer and will have the ability to contribute at both guard spots. Similarly, he chose PCC over interest from other NWAC and D-III schools.

"I felt that PCC was the right school because the coaches are super cool and they are building something super special and I wanted to be a part of it," Poole said. "Coach Cam has totally changed the trajectory of the program these past two years and I feel like they can really help me develop."

Along with the two guards, athletic post Seth Johnson Seth Johnson 6'8" | PF Tigard | 2025 State OR joins the party. The still-developing 6-foot-8 big man has some experience with the PCC Cascade gym as the Rosemary Anderson Prep squad he played with as a junior often practiced there.

"I decided that PCC was the best place for me because I wanted to stay in my hometown but still wanted to play basketball," Johnson said. "Something I like about the program is Coach Mitchell's passion for wanting me to become better and helping me grow. What I like most about the school is the inclusiveness I feel the admissions counselors have already given me by helping me decide what I wanna do my first term at the school."

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Our congratulations go out to Spafford, Poole, and Johnson and their families on their decisions.