Return of the Mac Preview

For the first time since 2011, McArthur Court - best known as Mac Court - on the campus of the University of Oregon will be hosting high school basketball games. Put together by the Pure Focus Sports Group led by Ryan Svenson, nine games - one girls and then eight boys contests - will be played in The Pit on Saturday, December 5.

For the most part the matchups will feature the best of the Eugene/Springfield area with some nostalgia mixed within. The event kicks off at 10am with a Marshfield/Churchill girls basketball matchup and games will then be played consecutively through the day. Here's a look at the day's boys matchups.

Marshfield vs. Churchill (11:30am)

The boys games kick off between the pre-season #1 team in 4A in Marshfield and one of the Eugene area's most historic programs in Churchill. Marshfield comes to the campus of U of O with a young but extremely talented squad, with one of the top freshmen in the state in Max Ainsworth Max Ainsworth 6'2" | PG/SG Marshfield | 2029 State OR , who just so happens to be head coach Jesse Ainsworth's son. Returnee Keller Vinyard leads the returnees for the Pirates as well. Churchill is rebuilding under new head coach Tyler Coleman, but as they gain experience they will be a tough out by the time league play starts. The Lancers have experienced guards in TJ Wright and Alonzo Reyes Alonzo Reyes 5'10" | PG Churchill | 2027 State OR and JV promotes Ryan Gutierrez Ryan Gutierrez 6'1" | SG Churchill | 2026 State OR and Madison Bradshaw made strides this off-season.

South Eugene vs. West Linn (1:00pm)

One of the more top scoring games on the day promises to be the South Eugene and West Linn match, as both squads put up plenty of points on the board last season. The Axe, led by new head coach George Zaninovich, have a talented frontcourt of Calvin Yoder Calvin Yoder 6'6" | SF/SG South Eugene | 2026 State OR , Cameron Perry Cameron Perry 6'4" | SF/SG South Eugene | 2026 State OR , and Elijah Gabriel Elijah Gabriel 6'5" | SF/CG South Eugene | 2027 State OR , all of whom can put the biscuit in the basket from multiple areas on the floor. West Linn, which made the semifinals of the 6A state tournament last year, may have a lot of new faces but they will embody the "Shooters Shoot" philosophy of head coach Travis Myers. Expect senior Jack Tycast Jack Tycast 6'5" | SF/PF West Linn | 2026 State OR , junior Sloan Baker, and sophomore Carter Perkins Carter Perkins 6'2" West Linn | 2028 OR to get on the scoreboard for the Lions.

North Eugene vs. Newberg (2:30pm)

A game that was originally scheduled at North Eugene, both the Highlanders and the Tigers of Newberg are happy to join the celebration at the Return of the Mac. North Eugene returns everyone from last year's playoff squad and is looked as by some as the favorite to win this year's Midwestern League race. Seniors Jordan Gray Jordan Gray 6'3" | SG/SF North Eugene | 2026 State OR and Zach Fisher Zach Fisher 6'6" | SF/PF North Eugene | 2026 State OR along with sophomore Damon Keith Damon Keith 6'4" | SG/SF North Eugene | 2028 State OR are Highlanders to keep an eye on for head coach Blake Gee. Newberg was one of 6A's youngest teams last year and are looking to continue to build around sophomore guard Greyson Castaneda, who is coming off a freshman campaign where he led the state in steals. Head coach Brett Vernon will hope to get contributions by committee from the rest of his roster.

Pleasant Hill vs. Ridgeview (4:00pm)

Perhaps the most fun matchup in terms of nostalgia will be this game, as both head coaches not only played their collegiate ball at the University of Oregon at Mac Court but are considered Ducks legends. Pleasant Hill is led by Luke Jackson and the Billies are a squad that should challenge for the 3A state title, while Ridgeview is led by Maarty Leunen and the Ravens are also competitors on the state scale at the 5A level. To add to the intrigue, both squads will also feature the sons of both Jackson and Lenuen - freshman Cole Jackson Cole Jackson 6'4" | PF/PG Pleasant Hill | 2029 OR with Pleasant Hill and junior Gavin Leunen Gavin Leunen 6'6" | PF Ridgeview | 2027 State OR with Ridgeview. The Billies will also be led by senior Landen Melvin Landen Melvin 6'1" | CG Pleasant Hill | 2026 State OR and junior Doug Green Doug Green 6'0" | CG Pleasant Hill | 2027 State OR and the Ravens will get support from senior Ashton Marcum Ashton Marcum 6'1" | SG/PG Ridgeview | 2026 State OR and junior Drew Muilenburg Drew Muilenburg 5'11" | CG Ridgeview | 2027 State OR .

Lake Oswego vs. South Medford (5:30pm)

In 2007 in front of a completely packed house, South Medford and Lake Oswego met in the 6A title game and the Panthers got their revenge from the previous year and won the championship. This year's "rematch" doesn't have the same on the line nor will there be anyone with the last names of Love or Singler on the floor, but should still be a very competitive game. The Panthers, headed by veteran head coach James Wightman, are now led by seniors such as Quinton Richie, Jed Johnson Jed Johnson 6'4" | PF South Medford | 2026 State OR , and Joey Clevenger and younger players like Mason Lupton Mason Lupton 6'2" | PG/SG South Medford | 2028 OR and Scottie Miller Scottie Miller 6'2" | SG South Medford | 2029 State OR should get minutes. The Lakers, under head coach Tully Wagner in his second year at the school, are a senior-led squad with Liam Rigney Liam Rigney 6'6" | SG Lake Oswego | 2026 State OR , Jackson Freeman Jackson Freeman 6'1" | SG/PG Lake Oswego | 2026 State OR , Jimmy Keyser Jimmy Keyser 6'0" | SG/PG Lake Oswego | 2026 State OR , Robbie Durbin Robbie Durbin 6'0" | PG/SG Lake Oswego | 2026 State OR , and Roman Perry Roman Perry 6'2" | SF/PF Lake Oswego | 2026 State OR some of the top names, and Hudson Kurland will help out after leading LO to the 6A football title.

Nelson vs. North Medford (7:00pm)

Nelson opened the year ranked among 6A's top teams and North Medford has always embraced their role as an underdog from down in Southern Oregon, making this an intriguing contest. The Hawks are considered the favorites due to the presence of some top-ranked individual talents - while star point guard Braylon Gaines Braylon Gaines 6'0" | PG Nelson | 2027 State OR may not compete due to injury, head coach Daniel Blanks still has a deep and athletic squad and sophomore sensation Carter Lockhart Carter Lockhart 6'2" | CG/PG Nelson | 2028 State OR will get a chance to shine in the spotlight. Long-time Black Tornado head coach Scott Plankenhorn has a blend of experienced veterans and newcomers that will get up and down the floor and compete. Some top players may be absent due to injury but look for senior Traeger Healy Traeger Healy 6'2" | SF North Medford | 2026 State OR to lead the charge with big man Tahvo Pool Tahvo Pool 6'8" | PF/SF North Medford | 2027 State OR and freshman point guard Bryan Nunez Bryan Nunez 6'1" North Medford | 2029 OR as names to watch out for.

Sheldon vs. Thurston (8:30pm)

The night concludes with a classic Midwestern League matchup between two teams expected to challenge for their current league titles. Sheldon comes in hoping to bounce back from a heartbreaking last second loss at home to Crater in the season opener. The Irish are led by senior transfer Kai Holmes Kai Holmes 6'6" | SF/SG Sheldon | 2026 State OR and point guard Kai Gallic Kai Gallic 5'8" | PG Sheldon | 2026 State OR as head coach Brian Brancato looks to others to step into their roles. Thurston won their season opener on Wednesday in convincing fashion over Central and are hoping to keep the momentum going. Senior Lucas Labounty Lucas Labounty 6'4" | CG Thurston | 2026 State OR leads the way for the Colts and sophomore Treyson Hill Treyson Hill 6'5" | CG Thurston | 2028 State OR is expected to have a breakout year for head coach Blaine Liberatore, who currently stands as the dean of all coaches in the MWL.

The PrepHoops Oregon team will be present for all eight boys games on Saturday and will have full coverage from the event, so be sure to tune into @PrepHoopsOR and @AndrewgEdits on X for higlights and top performers all day long.