2025-26 5A Preview – Pre-Season Top Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-26 boys basketball season is upon us and while admittedly there are some heavy hitters at the top, there's no question in general that it is going to be extremely competitive at the 5A level. After watching guys play in the summer and fall and attending a number of open gyms and practices to get a closer look at everyone, here's our pre-season top ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":10} --> <ol start="10" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Central</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best gyms in the state is the Panther Pit at Central and head coach Tyler Allen has a team that will get that building rockin' in 2025-26. The Panthers have a squad that return experience and balance both offensively and defensively that will help them to compete at the top of what is admittedly a down Mid-Willamette Conference this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1606558' first='Jack' last='Holestine'] is one of 5A's top scorers and he returns to lead the troops while fellow senior Ryan Burgett will be a solid number two option. The defense is anchored down in the middle by up-and-coming sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2813809' first='Lucas' last='Haines'], who's height and length at 6-foot-6 will allow him to patrol the paint. The aforementioned Panther Pit is one of the toughest places for opponents to play and look for Central to fully utilize that to their advantage this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":9} --> <ol start="9" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Thurston</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wouldn't be a valid top ten discussion without the inclusion of Thurston and it's for good reason - the Colts are legitimately contenders every season. Head coach Blaine Liberatore has a squad that does have to accommodate for the loss of several players to graduation - as well as the decision of returning all-league honoree Grady Saunders to not play and focus on baseball - but there's plenty back for the Colts to be a major contender. One big reason is the player of the year in Lucas LaBounty is back and he's going to be one of the top seniors in the state. He won't be doing it alone either as sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill'] could see his statistics double if not triple from his first year and Logan Piquette brings back a lot of experience and game knowledge to the table. The Colts are always full of solid multi-sport athletes and will be play both physical and disciplined.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":8} --> <ol start="8" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Crook County</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crook County may be going up in classification to 5A but the Cowboys are no strangers to the Intermountain Conference - and no strangers to being competitive in the league. There's no doubt that head coach Jason Munns' squad has what it takes to win in conference play and could very well be a threat to take the title. A big reason why is they have someone most teams won't be able to match up against in big man [player_tooltip player_id='2747514' first='Bryce' last='Lowenbach']. The 6-foot-9 senior can not only dominate down low but be a threat on the perimeter with his ability to hit open shots and his passing. As if having him weren't enough, returning guards [player_tooltip player_id='2747516' first='Jace' last='Jonas'] and Gabriel Lopez bring plenty of athleticism and scoring and overall the Cowboys have the experience needed to not only challenge for the IMC title but make it to Linfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":7} --> <ol start="7" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Summit</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another season and it's the same story - Summit looks to be the class of the Intermountain Conference. There is definitely no sleeping on the Storm and anyone who did so last year has certainly learned their lesson as the program is deep with talent. That's the case again in 2025-26 as while there's no question the graduation losses are steep, the combination of returning and up-and-coming players should have head coach Joe Wells sitting pretty atop the league standings. Leading the charge will be [player_tooltip player_id='2575668' first='Foster' last='Kettering'] at the point, a unique matchup given his 6-foot-7 size. Senior returnees Matthew Thompkins and Abe Taylor and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2124992' first='Andy' last='Bledsoe'] will be major contributors and senior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2677046' first='Caleb' last='Branch'] could be one of the top newcomers in the classification. No question it won't be easy but it seems that Summit has the edge this year in the IMC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":6} --> <ol start="6" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>West Albany</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of the Mid-Willamette Conference appears to once again be West Albany as head coach Drew Halvorson has a team full of talented returnees at all positions. The Bulldogs looked great in June and their depth and style of play sets them apart from most opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='2572921' first='Tyson' last='Walker'] is back down to dominate down low and the multi-sport standout is a league player of the year candidate. The Bulldogs are deep in the backcourt with returnees Jonah Laselle, [player_tooltip player_id='2732151' first='Grey' last='Nieman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2462672' first='Robert' last='Southard'], and Brett Gillis, all of whom can knock down open shots and get to the basket. West Albany is experienced and it wouldn't be surprising to see them make another deep run into the state tournament - with the hope that this time they're playing on the winners side of the bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Canby</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canby was the story of last season's post-season as the Cougars made a huge Cinderella run to the state semifinals. Now head coach Matt Taylor's team will be the hunted as opposed to being the hunters - how will they respond? It will certainly help that senior point guard and First Team All-State honoree [player_tooltip player_id='1951856' first='Jaxon' last='Lawson'] will lead the charge at the point and fellow guards [player_tooltip player_id='2844695' first='Cohen' last='Vandecoevering'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2737286' first='Cooper' last='Cousin'] will be alongside. The Cougars also have depth up front as the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2757024' first='Ben' last='Twitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2949701' first='Dane' last='Edwards'], and up-and-coming sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2862155' first='Dondre' last='Woods'] provide plenty of size, athleticism, and toughness. While ultra-athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2364071' first='Jack' last='Brauckmiller'] has chosen not to play basketball this season - something that keeps Canby from being potentially the pre-season #1 team - with everyone else back the Cougars will still be a force to be reckoned with in the Northwest Conference and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>North Eugene</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what was expected to be a down and rebuilding year, North Eugene more than exceeded expectations last season. With everyone back from that team that just barely missed the post-season, the Highlanders are primed to be seen now as a favorite. Head coach Blake Gee will have many options at his disposal as the offensive attack starting with senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2744991' first='Jordan' last='Gray']. Fellow seniors Jayden Robinson and [player_tooltip player_id='2573945' first='Zach' last='Fisher'] will also be key scoring threats, as will sophomore star [player_tooltip player_id='2539769' first='Damon' last='Keith'] who could have a huge breakout year. [player_tooltip player_id='2026087' first='D'Mariyae' last='Ireland'] adds firepower in the backcourt and there's a number of guys coming off the bench who add depth. It will be a very competitive race but North Eugene seems to have the slight edge for the Midwestern League title and will be a challenger at Linfield too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wilsonville</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can never sleep on the machine that's Wilsonville as long as Chris Roche is head coach and that's the story again in 2024-25. So while the Wildcats lose the 5A Player of the Year and other key seniors, they still return a very talented roster that will compete at the highest level. The key thing to note immediately about Wilsonville is their overall size as the projected starting five will average probably about 6-foot-4 in height. Up front, 6-foot-9 sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2457187' first='Michael' last='Ratcliffe'] is back and has improved over the off-season, and will be joined by 6-foot-7 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2539783' first='Jonah' last='Mason'] and 6-foot-6 junior transfer Aazee Breaux, the latter of which is one of the most explosive athletes in all of 5A. Some slight questions may be raised in the backcourt, especially at point guard, but junior [player_tooltip player_id='2698661' first='Jett' last='Bruce'] showed the ability to play at the point and other guards such as [player_tooltip player_id='1662764' first='Brett' last='Lyons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2132806' first='William' last='Maina'] will help Wilsonville run things by committee. And of course, the key figure in all of this is Roche, one of the all-time greats in state history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Centennial</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Demetrius McQuarn has slowly built Centennial up from the ashes the past few seasons and the next step continues this season. The Eagles have their eyes set on making the state tournament and have the depth and talent to do so. There are significant returnees from last season with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2240507' first='Sincere' last='Powe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1662765' first='Quentin' last='Neal'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2442280' first='Harold' last='Turner'], and a healthy junior [player_tooltip player_id='2026871' first='Darius' last='Andrews'] is back to lead the way. Where Centennial stands above the others, both figuratively and literally, is with their size. An influx of newcomers up front in 6-foot-10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2910086' first='Sebastian' last='Larsen'] from Denmark, 6-foot-11 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2882203' first='Dakari' last='Mitchell'] from Putnam, and 6-foot-7 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2699125' first='Drake' last='Walsh'] from Sunset will give Centennial a huge height advantage in every matchup on their schedule. Add in senior transfer JeMel Baker and junior returnee [player_tooltip player_id='2053517' first='Zaire' last='Williams'] and there's no shortage of firepower with the Eagles as the only question will be how it will all come together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Parkrose</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talk of all of 5A this off-season was about Parkrose - and for good reason. Not only did the Broncos have a coaching change but a roster overhaul that included some of the best newcomers in the entire state. With the talent influx, head coach Kendrick Williams has the horses to effectively compete for a state title in his very first season. The backcourt will consist of two First Team All-PIL honorees in [player_tooltip player_id='1582927' first='Adrian' last='Montague'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2026486' first='Keone' last='Gates'] and there may not be a more offensively explosive guard duo in the entire state. Also coming in from Portland are senior Keion James and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2026056' first='Varryk' last='Hardges'], both of whom were key guys at Grant last year and look for freshman newcomer Victor Norris to get serious minutes as well. The schedule will be incredibly tough with the late invitation to the Les Schwab Invitational and the conference slate will no question be a bloodbath, but Parkrose has the talent to take it all home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->