2026-2027 Way Too Early 6A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As all state teams are released &amp; state tournament trophies find their homes on display in school trophy cases, we figure it's never too early to look ahead &amp; predict who has the best chance of bringing home some hardware in March of 2027. All predictions are based on the rosters as they were at the end of the season in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li> <strong><em>GRANT </em></strong>- With all 5 starters from the classes of 2028 &amp; 2029, the Generals are the early favorite to win it all. Long &amp; athletic with plenty of scoring options such as [player_tooltip player_id='2427509' first='Malik' last='Mason'], [player_tooltip player_id='2427519' first='Jacob' last='Harper-Grant'], [player_tooltip player_id='2485547' first='Jamarea' last='Sanders'], &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2744610' first='Abraham' last='Cogan'], the Generals should be explosive in transition. If they can improve their collective perimeter shooting &amp; continue to develop quality depth, the blue trophy could be coming back to north Portland.<br><br>2. <strong><em>BENSON</em></strong> - The PIL co-champs pulled the upset of the state playoffs, knocking off top seed Southridge to advance to the Chiles Center, where they pulled off a scrappy upset over Clackamas to make the state semifinals. The Astros return the bulk of the players from their semifinal team, leading the way are fab frosh [player_tooltip player_id='2910099' first='Kendall' last='Hopkins-McGlothen'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2132803' first='Richad' last='Hudson']. A supporting cast of developing prospects such as Daylen McKelvey &amp; Malu Niko &amp; the Astros are primed for a big year next winter.<br><br>3. <strong><em>NELSON</em></strong> - When healthy, Nelson was as good as anyone in the state this year. The problem was that their full roster rarely had the chance to play together. Hopefully for the Hawks, next season will be a different story &amp; the talented roster will have the chance to live up to their full potential. With arguably the best player in the 2027 class in [player_tooltip player_id='2026057' first='Braylon' last='Gaines'] &amp; the 2028 class, guard [player_tooltip player_id='2427510' first='Carter' last='Lockhart'], the top end talent is undeniable. Add to that talented players like guard [player_tooltip player_id='2026060' first='Jaydon' last='Schregardus'] &amp; forward Leo Onishschenko, Nelson has all the pieces to make a deep playoff run.<br><br>4. <strong><em>TUALATIN</em></strong> - The defending state champs have more than enough talent back to make a run at a repeat. The head of the snake is [player_tooltip player_id='2132800' first='Pat' last='Vialva Jr']., the dynamic 6'0 guard who etched his name in the Oregon record books with his late game heroics in the state title game. Also back is guard [player_tooltip player_id='2124995' first='Carter' last='Lemon'] &amp; physical post man [player_tooltip player_id='2132783' first='Damian' last='Olvera']. The Timberwolves also should see a boost from a talented jv group.<br><br>5. <strong><em>CENTRAL CATHOLIC </em></strong>- Despite losing a talented senior class, the Rams have the pieces to make a return to the state title game. How far they go will be spearheaded by a talented 2027 guard duo in [player_tooltip player_id='2026054' first='Isaac' last='Bongen'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2132831' first='Malcolm' last='Weatherspoon']. How much players from a talented jv group can provide will be the key for Central's success next season.<br><br>6. <strong><em>OREGON CITY</em></strong> - The Pioneers entered this year's state tourney with high hopes &amp; went home a disappointing 0-2. That will certainly serve as motivation for next year's team which returns the talented wing duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2421603' first='Eli' last='Hopkins'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2026063' first='Alarion' last='Scott']. Both are experienced players with big game resumes. How quickly the supporting cast develops will be significant for Oregon City's chances of getting back to the Chiles Center.<br><br>7. <strong><em>CLACKAMAS</em></strong> - Another team that should be fueled by an 0-2 performance at the Chiles Center. Leading the way will be talented 2027 wings [player_tooltip player_id='2026062' first='RJ' last='Barhoum'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2684850' first='Max' last='Martinov']. The Cavs have shown the ability to score with anyone in the state, getting a few more stops along the way next season will be big for their hopes.<br><br>8. <strong><em>SOUTHRIDGE </em></strong>- The Skyhawks return 4 key pieces from the team that entered the state playoffs as the #1 seed before being upset at the buzzer by Benson in the round of 16. A trio of talented 2027 guards in Elijay Thompson, [player_tooltip player_id='2026515' first='Brooks' last='Fortune'], &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2026514' first='Nikko' last='Kalish'] are known commodities. The wild card for how far Southridge can go in 2026-27 will the play of 2029 post [player_tooltip player_id='2910088' first='Judah' last='Hardt'], a physical 6'7 post man who showed ample potential off the bench this season.<br><br>9. <strong><em>SUNSET</em></strong> - A team that could make a jump up this year is the Apollos from the Metro League. The combo of all league wing [player_tooltip player_id='2132804' first='Shay' last='Thompson'] &amp; point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2172116' first='Rocco' last='Ebenal'] form a talented duo with plenty of experience. Add to the mix [player_tooltip player_id='2047155' first='Elliot' last='Kilfoil'], [player_tooltip player_id='2132801' first='Pelumi' last='Ajayi'], &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='3516678' first='Kamari' last='Thompson'] &amp; Sunset could battle Southridge for the Metro League title.<br><br>10. <strong><em>SHERWOOD</em></strong> - The Bowmen lose a talented group of seniors from their 4th place finish at state. The cupboard is far from bare however as they return talented 2027 wings [player_tooltip player_id='2132836' first='Avery' last='Johnson'] &amp; Judah Dressler, both lefties that were huge parts of Sherwood's success this season. A loaded jv group should move up to provide reinforcements.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->