5A: North Eugene Highlanders – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season approaches, rosters are being released and I'm going to be previewing each team from the 6A and 5A levels. I'll go over each team's key players going into this coming season, list the returners/newcomers, and key departures. Here is the preview of the North Eugene Highlanders (5A) of the Midwestern League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Blake Gee (6th Season at NEHS, 68-51 Record)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 16-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2744991"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692b947fb2bb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatile guard scored in a multitude of ways. Knocked down open threes (four in the game we watched), pulled up from mid-range, and got all the way to the cup for buckets or free throw line opportunities, showing off his athleticism with a driving one-handed slam. The 6-foot-2 North Eugene senior was tough on the defensive boards and was even effective defensively as a shot-blocker. (JT)<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2573945"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692b947fb2c18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fisher, a 6'6 wing, was one of the top overall players at the event. He scored at all three levels, knocked down threes with a smooth lefty stroke, and finished inside with either hand. Calm and controlled, he also played above the rim, attacked with a strong pull-up game, and showed the versatility of a complete two-way athlete. (AG)<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2539769"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692b947fb2c66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long and lanky at 6-foot-4, Keith made an impact on both sides of the basketball. Offensively, the North Eugene sophomore capably scored both inside and out, showing off a nice touch from three-point range. Defensively, he guarded multiple positions and was one of the top shot-blockers on the day. His performance of triples – three threes and three blocked shots – in his opening game was indicative of the versatility the North Eugene sophomore brings to the table. (JT)<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grant Harris (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden Robinson (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2026087' first='D'Mariyae' last='Ireland'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2766277' first='Jay' last='Randolph'] (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2575665' first='Dallen' last='Morgan'] (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kacey Kempf (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mateo Rivas (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chris Ramirez (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eli Lusher (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaymeson Woodward (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>: N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additional Contributions by Jed Tai</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->