6A: Benson Tech Astros – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season begins, 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 Benson Tech Astros (6A) of the Portland Interscholastic League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Earl Clark (13th Season at Benson, 108-174 Record)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 14-11</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":["1606557"],"_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-693151bf05df7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Acelar had his shot going smoothly from the outside, knocking down four threes, but the rising senior was also getting it done passing the basketball finishing with 5 assists showing great balance with his game. The first team all-league honoree will be counted on heavily for not only his court play but his leadership as well in 2025-26. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2286069"],"_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-693151bf05e58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the state's top sophomores, Niko may not have ranked among the event's leaders in scoring but that was meaningful in terms of showing how he could dominate the game without having to put points on the board. The 6-foot-2 swingman did blow through defenders to score around the hoop, but what was really impressive was his passing as he consistently looked for open teammates on the perimeter or cutting to the hoop for points. His all-around earned him the all-camp team honors he deserved. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2910099"],"_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-693151bf05eb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The #2 ranked player, Hopkins-McGloten lived up to billing as a smooth scorer, capable of knocking down deep threes or creating off the dribble and finishing around the hoop with either hand. The 6-foot-4 wing probably made getting buckets look easier than anyone else on the court and should be an immediate contributor at Benson. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tajai McKee (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2132803' first='Richad' last='Hudson'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2737304' first='Warren' last='Bott'] (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daylen McKelvey (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539778' first='Jae' last='Parnell-Patton'] (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jah Penn (Class of 2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2910099' first='Kendall' last='Hopkins-McGlothen'] (Class of 2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colin Wentworth (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaden Bailey (Class of 2029)</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 -->