Way Too Early 2026-27 5A Top Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the 2025-26 season just came to a close earlier this month, with the Parkrose Broncos defeating Crook County for 5A state title, the conversation has already started to shift toward next winter. Assuming teams retain their core returners, here's a way-too-early look at the 5A classification's championship contenders for 2026-27:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parkrose</strong><br><br>2025-26 Record: 26-3 (15-1 NWOC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: Victor Norris, [player_tooltip player_id='2026486' first='Keone' last='Gates'], [player_tooltip player_id='2026056' first='Varryk' last='Hardges'], [player_tooltip player_id='2507321' first='Jayden' last='Hall']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No team in 5A is set to return as much talent as the defending champions, who marched their way through the state tournament with a tight six-man rotation that featured only two seniors. While the departures of 5A co-player of the year Fuzzy Montague and dominant paint presence Keion James will hurt, the Broncos will have no shortage of weapons next season, as Norris, Gates, Hardges and Hall have each displayed the ability to take over games and make winning plays on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025-26 Record: 15-14 (9-7 NWOC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='2053517' first='Zaire' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2699125' first='Drake' last='Walsh'], [player_tooltip player_id='2882203' first='Dakari' last='Mitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2026871' first='Darius' last='Andrews']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After hitting their stride in the postseason and making a Cinderella run to the semifinals, the Eagles' appear to have the pieces in place to keep the magic rolling next season. Already a very talented group in 2025-26, Centennial now has the playoff experience to take another step, as Williams, Walsh, Mitchell and Andrews each played and delivered in some big moments throughout their playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thurston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025-26 Record: 22-6 (11-1 MWL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: Brody Corgain, Ridge Lindsay, [player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill'], [player_tooltip player_id='2766279' first='Leofatu' last='Filipe']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bringing back a handful of heavy contributors from this year's fourth place squad will be Thurston, which figures to remain a top contender in the Midwestern League as teams like North Eugene, Crater and Churchill are forced to reload after losing a number of key players to graduation. Behind the all-around scoring tools of Hill and the emergence of Filipe, a dominant two-way presence inside, the Colts should remain a very tough squad to beat next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilsonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025-26 Record: 17-9 (11-5 NWOC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='2457187' first='Michael' last='Ratcliffe'] Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='2539884' first='Aazzee' last='Breaux'], [player_tooltip player_id='2698661' first='Jett' last='Bruce'], Will Maina, [player_tooltip player_id='2539783' first='Jonah' last='Mason']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After missing the quarterfinals for the first time since 2008, the Wildcats are likely to be back in contention next season for reasons outside their program tradition. Breaux and Bruce could end up being one of the state's top scoring duos after making big strides and settling into their roles throughout 2025-26, and Ratcliffe Jr. is a true x-factor and an eye-catching prospect when he's healthy at 6-foot-9. Those three have the potential to be an efficient three-headed monster moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridgeview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025-26 Record: 13-12 (6-6 IMC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='2678950' first='Drew' last='Muilenburg'], Dylan Hertel, [player_tooltip player_id='2124991' first='Gavin' last='Leunen'], Austin Marcum</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite a first round exit earlier this month, Ridgeview may be the favorite in the Intermountain Conference next season behind the play of Leunen, who remains one of, if not the best prospect in the 5A classification. At 6-foot-7 with the ability to handle the ball, score at all three levels and make an impact on the defensive end, Leunen will be one of the most complete players in the state in 2026-27, alongside a strong returning cast of high-IQ point Muilenburg, outside threat Hertel, and do-it-all guy Marcum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->