2025-26 5A Preview: Midwestern League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 5A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year, courtesy of Jared Gensman of Oregon 5A Boys Basketball. The Midwestern League has traditionally always had some of the top teams in the classification, and this season is no different. Here's how we see it turning out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>League Predictions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Eugene</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thurston</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Crater</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ashland</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Churchill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Eagle Point</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Springfield</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year Candidates:</strong> Jordan Grey, North Eugene; Lucas LaBounty,Thurston; [player_tooltip player_id='2335526' first='Julien' last='Grant'], Crater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-League Predictions:</strong> Jordan Grey, North Eugene; Jayden Robinson, North Eugene; Lucas LaBounty, Thurston; [player_tooltip player_id='2335526' first='Julien' last='Grant'], Crater; [player_tooltip player_id='2287516' first='Malachi' last='Barlow'], Crater; [player_tooltip player_id='2747511' first='Quillian' last='Tourzan'], Ashland; TJ Wright, Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2026087' first='D'Mariyae' last='Ireland'], North Eugene; [player_tooltip player_id='2892516' first='Ryan' last='Gutierrez'], Churchill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tourney Threats:</strong> Thurston, North Eugene</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Post Season Teams:</strong> Crater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highlanders have quickly become a strong contender for a league championship and represent a real challenge for the 5A title. They'll have raised expectations that might be fulfilled based on their explosive performance from last season, and they'll continue to improve. Even as a playoff team last year, they are still destined to be one of the most significantly improved squads in the classification. Their roster is loaded with talent. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2744991' first='Jordan' last='Gray'] (16.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg), a first team all-league selection last season is an all-around bucket at every level. Senior Jayden Robinson (10.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg), second team all-league last season, is an athletic swing man that can provide creative offense. Senior big [player_tooltip player_id='2573945' first='Zach' last='Fisher'] (7.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .361 3pt%), junior [player_tooltip player_id='2026087' first='D'Mariyae' last='Ireland'] (9.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 apg), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2539769' first='Damon' last='Keith'] (10.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.9 bpg) all round out a squad that has a lot of success ahead of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thurston has all the firepower to run it back again. Last season they went undefeated in league play, but it'll be more challenging than ever this time around with a surging North Eugene and Crater team that have a lot to prove. The Colts window of opportunity is still very high, not only do they have a senior dominate team, they have the returning Midwestern player of the year, Lucas LaBounty (16.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, .452 3pt%). LaBounty, a versatile combo guard is an offensive nightmare to match up against, and a lengthy defender to get around. Senior Logan Piquette will see the court more this season, along with sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill'] (5.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, .364 3pt%), who is the future of this program. This core will be integral to be at their best if they wish to repeat owning the Midwestern and settling some unfinished business at Linfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets managed to sneak into the playoffs only to face #1 Caldera, where they put up a solid effort in Bend, but saw their season end. Expect a different story to be written this season, as this Crater team should be the biggest benefactor from league player attrition. The Comets do have the talent to compete with the best, nonetheless their depth could hinder their ability to elevate in the league standings. Returning is first team all-league senior [player_tooltip player_id='2335526' first='Julien' last='Grant'] (12.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.4 apg). Grant keeps getting better every year, and this will be no different. He, alongside one the state's most under-rated players in Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2287516' first='Malachi' last='Barlow'] (10.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.9 spg) and sophomore Tremaine Smith (5.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg) will provide an explosive backcourt that'll push this squad into competing for a top spot in the Midwestern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grizzlies were a team that proved difficult to assess last season. They kicked off the year strongly, winning six out of their first eight games, which included a notable victory against Redmond at the Wilsonville Classic. However, they soon encountered challenges as they struggled to remain competitive in league play. They will need some younger talent to step up as impact players to support all-league senior [player_tooltip player_id='2747511' first='Quillian' last='Tourzan'] (15.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 spg, .572 fg%), who is a consistent offensive threat and team leader. Lefty [player_tooltip player_id='2747509' first='Isaac' last='Matsdorf'] (5.8 ppg, 2.4 apg) will also have increased chances to showcase his skills as a potent long-range threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a season of change for the Lancers. Not many other teams will have underwent as many key departures as Churchill has faced. They will start with a new head coach, Tyler Coleman, who previously coached the Lancer JV team last season. He'll have a squad that will be without several standouts that surrounded this team last year. As they embrace the change, there will be new opportunities for others to step up. Seniors TJ Wright (8.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.5 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='2892516' first='Ryan' last='Gutierrez'], and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2026086' first='Alonzo' last='Reyes'] (3.7 ppg, 3.7 apg) and Madison Bradshaw will be expected to display their skills and enthusiasm as they lead the team going forward, stiving to compete in a fiercely contested Midwestern league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles will be a relatively younger team, with only four returning seniors. One of those seniors, Ricky Spangle should be a bright spot for a squad that that will look for others to step up make Eagle Point a tough out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Millers are a team that shouldn't let the wins and losses define their success. There will be new moments this season to showcase the upperclassmen while developing the younger players, get better, and compete to the best of their abilities in what will be another challenging season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->