Way Too Early Class 5A Top Ten

Summer school and AAU club basketball has all completed and as fall league approaches, we thought we'd go over our notes and start taking a look at the 2025-26 season. Rosters obviously won't be settled until late November and there is still plenty of transfer action bound to happen, but here's a way-too-early look at our pre-season top five teams in 5A (listed alphabetically).   Canby   After making a Cinderella run to Linfield last season, the Cougars will now be the hunted instead of the hunters as the majority of the team is back. Head coach Matt Taylor will have four-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='1951856' first='Jaxon' last='Lawson'] back at the point to lead the charge and guards [player_tooltip player_id='2844695' first='Cohen' last='Vandecoevering'] and Cooper Cousins return alongside. The Cougars have size up front with [player_tooltip player_id='2364071' first='Jack' last='Brauckmiller'], [player_tooltip player_id='2949701' first='Dane' last='Edwards'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2757024' first='Ben' last='Twitchell'] and with their depth and athleticism, Canby can match up with anybody in the state.   Centennial   Head coach Demetrius McQuarn has built up Centennial from almost scratch to a squad that just fell short of making the state tournament. This year could be the one the Eagles take that next step as so many key components from last year's roster are back in the fold. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2026871' first='Darius' last='Andrews'] is fully healthy and set to lead the way, while [player_tooltip player_id='2240507' first='Sincere' last='Powe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1662765' first='Quentin' last='Neal'] are primed to have big senior seasons. Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1582935' first='Jemel' last='Baker'] adds athleticism and scoring on the wing and 6-foot-10 Denmark transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2910086' first='Sebastian' last='Larsen'] is a wildcard.   Crook County   Crook County may be reclassifying up to 5A but head coach Jason Mumm has not only the experience but the talent to easily transition to the Intermountain Conference. It all starts with having perhaps the best big man in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='2747514' first='Bryce' last='Lowenbach'], who's all-around skills have earned him the nickname "Baby Jokic". The talented post isn't doing things by himself as guards [player_tooltip player_id='2747516' first='Jace' last='Jonas'] and Gabriel Lopez lead a senior-dominate group that could very well be the favorite to take the league title.   La Salle   It was quite the run to the 5A state title for head coach Sean Kelly and his Falcons - does the team have what it takes to make a repeat run? La Salle will heavily count on their juniors to do so, and having a First Team All-Stater and one of the most explosive offensive players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='2211742' first='Riggy' last='Khyungra'] certainly helps. Seniors Sam Johnson and [player_tooltip player_id='2708790' first='Vincent' last='Faris'] were proven contributors last year and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2779319' first='Diesel' last='Renner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2539901' first='Matthew' last='Tesfa'] are ready for increased roles. The Falcons will rely heavily on the speed and quickness of their backcourt but be on the lookout for sophomore big man [player_tooltip player_id='2885182' first='Levi' last='Natwick'].   North Eugene   The Highlanders may have been young last season but still managed to almost make a return to the state tournament. Head coach Blake Gee has practically everyone back on this year's squad and North Eugene seemingly has everything it takes to challenge for the Midwestern League title. [player_tooltip player_id='2744991' first='Jordan' last='Gray'], Jayden Robinson, and sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2539769' first='Damon' last='Keith'] all averaged double figures in scoring last season and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2026087' first='D'Mariyae' last='Ireland'] and big man [player_tooltip player_id='2573945' first='Zach' last='Fisher'] are primed to increase their averages too.   Parkrose   The talk of the town this off-season has been Parkrose and not just the hiring of new head coach Kendrick Williams. The Broncos bring in a number of talented transfers from the PIL that may make them on paper the team to beat. [player_tooltip player_id='1582927' first='Adrian' last='Montague'] (Roosevelt) and [player_tooltip player_id='2026486' first='Keone' last='Gates'] (Grant) would be a dominant backcourt in any league and fellow Grant transfers [player_tooltip player_id='2026056' first='Varryk' last='Hardges'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1582929' first='Keion' last='James Adell'] will also be major contributors - the key will be how well everyone meshes together and what kind of depth Parkrose is able to develop.   Summit   It's best not to sleep again on Summit, which came into last season a complete unknown yet they were seconds away from capturing a repeat state title. The graduation losses are heavy but head coach Joe Wells has plenty of talent to keep the Storm in contention in Year Two. Once again Summit will do things by committee and will once again be senior-dominated, with Matthew Thompkins, [player_tooltip player_id='2575668' first='Foster' last='Kettering'], Abe Taylor, and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2677046' first='Caleb' last='Branch'] leading the way. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2124992' first='Andy' last='Bledsoe'] should also be due for a breakout season.   Thurston   Some key seniors depart last year's state tournament squad, but head coach Blaine Liberatore brings back some big pieces - especially with a big-time duo in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2744978' first='Lucas' last='Labounty'] and sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill']. Both players can do practically anything on the court and could be one of the top one-two punches in all of 5A. Grady Saunders and Logan Piquette are experienced players on a roster that will be a senior-dominated squad looking to defend their Midwestern League title.   West Albany   The Mid-Willamette Conference may be down this year from last season but one thing that stays the same is West Albany looks to be the cream of the crop. Head coach Drew Halverson has some offense to replace but he's got the young guns ready to step in and prove themselves as the Bulldogs looked dominant during the month of June with their depth and style of play. West Albany has strong guard play from returnees Jonah Laselle, [player_tooltip player_id='2732151' first='Grey' last='Nieman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2462672' first='Robert' last='Southard'], and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2572921' first='Tyson' last='Walker'] will man the lane and may very well be a league player of the year candidate.   Wilsonville   No matter what the personnel, you can always count on Wilsonville to be in the pre-season top ten and this year the Wildcats do have - albeit young - talent on the roster. Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2457187' first='Michael' last='Ratcliffe'] is already one of the state's top big men as a sophomore and he'll be flanked by a couple of talented 6-foot-6 wings in [player_tooltip player_id='2539783' first='Jonah' last='Mason'] and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2539884' first='Aazzee' last='Breaux']. There are big shoes to fill but [player_tooltip player_id='2698661' first='Jett' last='Bruce'] is ready to take on the challenge and head coach Chris Roche has a deep roster of program players who will play hard and defend.

Summer school and AAU club basketball has all completed and as fall league approaches, we thought we'd go over our notes and start taking a look at the 2025-26 season. Rosters obviously won't be settled until late November and there is still plenty of transfer action bound to happen, but here's a way-too-early look at our pre-season top five teams in 5A (listed alphabetically).