2025-26 6A Preview – Metro League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-26 season is upon us and PrepHoops Oregon has you covered. We're doing pre-season previews for all of the 6A leagues across the state, giving you some insight into the teams and players you should be watching this year. The Metro League will once again rank among the top conferences and practically all of the teams are post-season contenders. 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>Southridge</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jesuit</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Westview</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mountainside</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sunset</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Beaverton</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Aloha</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Year:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2026058' first='Elijah' last='Thompson'], Southridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-League Predictions:</strong> Thompson; [player_tooltip player_id='1582931' first='Eli' last='Vizconde'], Mountainside; [player_tooltip player_id='2132804' first='Shay' last='Thompson'], Sunset; [player_tooltip player_id='1961798' first='Major' last='Williams'], Jesuit; [player_tooltip player_id='2026756' first='Ahmed' last='Abalo'], Beaverton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2132801' first='Pelumi' last='Ajayi'], Sunset</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats:</strong> Southridge, Jesuit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Post-Season Teams:</strong> Westview, Mountainside, Sunset, Beaverton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not often a team can lose two First Team all-league performers - including a co-player of the year - from the previous season and then be considered for the Metro League title, but that's exactly the position that Southridge is in. There's no question the production of current collegians Keenan Reckamp (now at Bushnell) and Alonzo Hoff (West Valley JC in California) will be missed but practically everybody else is back for head coach Phil Vesel to keep Southridge not only for Metro League championship contention but a potential third straight 6A state tournament performance. Leading the way this year will be a junior in [player_tooltip player_id='2026058' first='Elijah' last='Thompson'] (13.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.4 spg, .473 fg%, .818 ft%). He'll be handed the reins at the point and after an off-season of continued physical growth and skill development, he's not prepared to make the jump into leading man for the Skyhawks but also challenge for league Player of the Year honors. There's not much he can't do. He'll have a bevy of shooters around him to get the ball to, starting with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1607597' first='Drew' last='Groenig'] (9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, .345 3pt%) and continuing on with others such as [player_tooltip player_id='1604658' first='Julius' last='Vesel'] (5.0 ppg, .342 3pt%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2026515' first='Brooks' last='Fortune'] (3.7 ppg, .396 3pt%). Swiss-Army knife performer [player_tooltip player_id='2026514' first='Nikko' last='Kalish'] (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, .546 fg%) has also improved offensively and will be a threat as well but truly what makes Southridge a title contender is the addition of big man [player_tooltip player_id='1787372' first='Ryder' last='Zanon']. The 6-foot-9 senior transfer from Central Catholic provides a post presence offensively and the attention defenses will have to pay him will open up the shooters even more on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesuit made a Cinderella run to the 6A state title game last season but the Crusaders should return to more of a favorite status in 2025-26 - and this is the case despite the expected graduation of All-State guard Patrick Kilfoil and the transfer to Central Catholic of tournament shooting star [player_tooltip player_id='2026054' first='Isaac' last='Bongen']. Head coach Gene Potter has plenty of talent back and Jesuit certainly looked the part in summer ball. While he didn't play this summer to prepare for the gridiron, third team all-league honoree and Nevada football commit [player_tooltip player_id='1989913' first='Joe' last='Stimpson'] (8.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.6 apg) is the top returnee. He was a huge part of Jesuit's post-season run and his physical brand of play on both ends of the floor helps separate the Crusaders as title contenders. The main scoring duties will likely be handed over to [player_tooltip player_id='1961798' first='Major' last='Williams'] (8.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .383 3pt%). The junior has the ability to really get hot offensively and can be flat out unstoppable, especially if his outside shot is clicking. Adding even more quickness and ball-handling in the backcourt will be fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='2047153' first='Penny' last='Harrison'] (2.5 ppg, 0.8 apg). Harrison and Williams may make up the quickest guard tandem in the state. Waiting on the wings for kickouts will be senior [player_tooltip player_id='1585574' first='Ryan' last='Barone'] (5.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and the lefty should find himself with more open shots this season. Another player who will make a big jump in production will be senior [player_tooltip player_id='2111917' first='Sam' last='Curvy'] (2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, .525 fg%). While the natural wing - whose confidence on offense was evident this off-season - will be forced to play up front, he's got the athleticism and motor to compete with players stronger than him both defensively and on the boards. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='2857885' first='Nick' last='Zervis'] (0.9 ppg) to have an increased role and as usual, some promotions from Jesuit's always successful JV and freshman programs will also get into the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a year it was for Westview in 2024-25 as the Wildcats captured the league title and came home with a trophy from the state tournament. The graduation losses are huge including three all-league honorees, but don't fret for head coach Michael Wolf as because of the program's depth, it will simply be a case of next man up this season. Another senior class will now be front and center and heading the list will be guard [player_tooltip player_id='1624396' first='Ian' last='Bautista'] (2.0 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.9 apg), who had a big off-season with both Westview and the club scene. A player that can do a bit of everything, he will be counted upon heavily and the ball will be in his hands a lot. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2021519' first='Dayton' last='Jenkins'] (5.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) is team's leading returning scorer and his contributions will be felt on both ends of the floor. Senior Dash Nicely (2.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg) will be counted on to deliver down low. The 6-foot-6 post also had a big summer of development. Seniors Andrew Su (1.1 ppg in 8 games) and [player_tooltip player_id='1624397' first='Justin' last='Cheng'] (2.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg in 6 games) should round out the starting lineup and both are ready for the increased role. Coming off the bench with the small exception of football all-league honoree [player_tooltip player_id='2537800' first='Tahkai' last='Smith'] (1 game), everyone will be players all new to the varsity level so the starting lineup may have to play heavy minutes, especially early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For practically every year they've been eligible Mountainside has made the post-season and it appears that the Mavericks should continue that trend this year. Like last season, the level of success for head coach Dustin Hewitt will depend heavily on a couple of seniors but mainly on younger players. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1582931' first='Eli' last='Vizconde'] (14.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, .371 3pt%) is now in his fourth year as a starter and each off-season he's added to his game. This year he'll be counted on for some point guard play and a lot of leadership. Senior J'Kobi Nicholson (7.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, .493 fg%) will also be looked to for leadership and his ability to score inside against bigger players will be needed. A talented junior class of [player_tooltip player_id='2124993' first='Rogen' last='Brown'] (6.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.1 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='2124996' first='Palmer' last='Ochoa'] (3.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg), and [player_tooltip player_id='2471813' first='Ryder' last='Eck'] (3.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) should complete the starting lineup. The 6-foot-5 Eck will help man the lane, Ochoa can light it up from the outside, and the 6-foot-3 Brown will do a little bit of everything on the floor. Aloha transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1625268' first='Cayden' last='Williams'], junior Jayden Reyes (0.2 ppg in 9 games), and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2204985' first='Conley' last='Smith'] (0.8 ppg in 5 games) and [player_tooltip player_id='1686498' first='Baylor' last='Hanson'] (0.7 ppg in 12 games) will also be in the rotation as once again Mountainside may not have a lot of size, but a lot of perimeter strength that opponents may have a hard time matching up against.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the off-season it was looking like Sunset would be one of the top sleeper teams in the state with the players they had returning, but the late development this fall of the transfer of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2699125' first='Drake' last='Walsh'] (10.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.0 apg) has tempered that excitement. Despite that disappointing loss the Apollos still project as a post-season team because the others that come back will still be tough to contend with. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2132804' first='Shay' last='Thompson'] (14.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.1 apg) put together an outstanding sophomore campaign and with continued growth both physically and with his skill level, the 6-foot-4 swingman can do damage from anywhere on the floor and be a factor on both ends. He's on tap to have an all-league kind of season. The same could also apply to fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='2172116' first='Rocco' last='Ebenal'] (13.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.7 apg, .509 fg%) who was having an outstanding season last year before getting hurt. The lefty is a true floor leader, can really create off the bounce, and exudes toughness and confidence on the floor. With the departure of Walsh, 6-foot-5 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2479602' first='Sunny' last='Zhong'] (1.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg) will be counted on even more to be a factor down low with his size. A couple of transfesr in [player_tooltip player_id='2132801' first='Pelumi' last='Ajayi'] (from Glencoe) and [player_tooltip player_id='2047155' first='Elliot' last='Kilfoil'] (from Jesuit) will figure into the rotation and as always Sunset will fill the rest of the spots with guys willing to play roles, with senior guard <strong>Lucas Paul</strong> (2.6 ppg, 0.7 rpg) and spot-up senior shooter <strong>Max Davis</strong> (1.8 ppg, .311 3pt%) the only ones with varsity experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-25 was definitely different for Beaverton as the Beavers not only were absent from the state tournament but also missed the post-season. It was the case of a lot of youth and inexperience for head coach Andrew Vancil so it was a year of development and while this season the building will continue, there should be more wins. In addition to being more experienced, practically everyone is back and it will start with Third Team All-League returnee [player_tooltip player_id='2026756' first='Ahmed' last='Abalo'] (14.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.3 apg). The all-around guard is long, rangy, and athletic and his numbers should increase across the board. The increased production should also come from fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='2539888' first='Blake' last='Unruh'] (10.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, .386 3pt%) who was impressive in a number of camps and showcases this off-season. His bread and butter is his jumpshot but he's gotten stronger and craftier creating off the dribble to add to his game. The leading returning scorer is actually senior [player_tooltip player_id='2575685' first='Njenga' last='Mungai'] (15.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg) and it wouldn't be surprising if he led the team in scoring again as he's capable of getting buckets at all three levels. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2132799' first='Miles' last='Downey'] (2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2498985' first='Malaki' last='Ypma'] (0.8 ppg, 0.5 rpg) fill out the projected starting lineup. Both have decent size and will be expected to be the main rebounders and defenders in the paint. Adding firepower will be a number of Beaverton's talented sophomore class - look for [player_tooltip player_id='2766275' first='Wyatt' last='Smith'] (1.2 ppg in 11 games), [player_tooltip player_id='2399332' first='King' last='Brazile'] (1.3 ppg in 6 games) and [player_tooltip player_id='2026064' first='Grady' last='Svenson'] to have increased roles. The Beavers may still be a year away from doing major damage but should be back to their regular spot in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now on their fifth coach in the last eight years, the outlook has unfortunately not changed much at Aloha for this season. The potential of the Warriors making a little noise was lost when four of their top returnees all decided to transfer out, leaving new head coach Kevin "Pip" Bloodsaw very little experience to work with. The former Glencoe head coach is thinking positive though and has renewed energy since taking over, focusing on the program's younger players and developing the youth levels. There's genuine excitement throughout the program about the reboot - which includes the rebranding efforts going on across the entire school - so while some of the games this year may not be pretty, there will be plenty of learning and maturing will take place along the way. Seniors <strong>Wyett Kaulia-Hooper</strong> and <strong>Hero Lovanh</strong> bring some experience to the table and some of the younger names to watch out for include sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2388707' first='Jamarian' last='Hurley'], [player_tooltip player_id='2949140' first='Jaxon' last='Ivey'], Zach Lee, and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2539784' first='Joseph' last='Adair'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->