Best of the Best – More Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Best of the Best Conference Tournament took place May 31-June 1 at Reynolds High School, and when it was all said and done the PIL defended their title with a thrilling 76-74 double overtime win over the Metro League. There was plenty of talent in the building over the course of the two day event - here are some other top performers we saw over the weekend from the championship side of the bracket (teams that won their first round game).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Boe (2025 Mountainside/Dream City Christian-AZ)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boe - who was invited back after he returned from Dream City Christian to graduate with his Mountainside classmates - may have only played one game, but it was a very good one. The future Utah State Aggie was dominant in the Metro League's opening round win over the Central Valley, posting game highs of 28 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing the complete package offensively by scoring at all three levels. When the game's result was in doubt, the team simply handed him the ball and he took over at the end of the game. It was a fantastic way for Boe to go out playing his final prep game in the state of Oregon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jason Grady (2025 Westview)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grady put together two solid efforts in the games we watched - 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists in the opening round win over the Central Valley and then another 19 points and 5 rebounds in the finals, where he knocked down five from beyond the arc. The future Winchendon Prep forward was certainly sharp with his shot - he hit 8 threes in those two games - but was an all-around force with his scoring and passing that defenses had to contend with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kai Russell (2025 Westview)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pure point guard, Russell put that on full display in the final game as he ran the show for the Metro League - especially when the lineup was all Westview players and they simply ran the Wildcat offensive sets. When the ink was dry, the cerebral floor leader finished with 11 points and 8 assists after making outstanding decisions in both the half court and transitional settings. While we sadly missed the semis, the word was the future Linn-Benton product got hot and led the team offensively in the upset win over Mt Hood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mekhi Muhammad (2025 Grant)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lean and athletic senior from Grant had his shooting stroke locked on automatic in the first half of the final game, knocking down four threes in the first half, and was looking like a serious contender for MVP honors before cooling down in the second stanza. He was able to utilized his athleticism on the boards in the PIL's opening round win, grabbing five rebounds to go along with 10 points. Muhammad remains unsigned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Diggy Griffin (2025 Wells/Rosemary Anderson Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffin - who started off his high school career as Wells - was one of the top shot creators and scorers in the field. The Air Force commit was extremely quick off the bounce, finding straight lines to the hoop and finishing at the rim, often through contact. He scored a team-high 20 points in the opener for the PIL and then added 12 points in the finals against the Metro League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Brown (2025 Sandy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown played well in both the opener and third place game for the Mt Hood, displaying why he may have been the most slept-on player in the entire class. The 6-foot-7 forward was effective scoring at all three levels, was effective on the glass on both ends, and made his mark defensively as a shot-blocker. He posted 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the opener and then tacked on 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists in the third place game. Brown will be serving a two-year LDS mission before starting his college career at Salt Lake CC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Barron (2025 Barlow)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the featured stars in the house as a Division I signee with Portland State, Barron didn't disappoint. He fully utilized his length and athleticism on both ends of the floor, finishing power slams, grabbing boards, and blockings shots all above the rim. He even flashed some passing skills with 7 assists to go along with 15 points and 14 rebounds in the TRL's opening round win, while registering another 4 assists with 13 points and 15 rebounds in the third place game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gylan Payne (2025 Oregon City)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payne was able to show off his versatility and all-around skills at the event. He tallied 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the third place game win over the Mt Hood, which followed up a 17-point, 15-rebound, 3-assist outing in the opening round win. The future Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owl was making plays in and through traffic, finishing above the rim, and creating on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Gross (2025 West Linn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking fully healthy was Gross, who contributed in all areas on the court in action we watched. He was consistent across the board in all categories as the Carroll College commit posted 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in the team's opening round victory and then another 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in third place game win over Mt Hood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->