2025-26 5A Postseason Superlatives (Part Two)

Jackson Naugle April 7, 2026 @ 01:59 PM

While the final buzzer sounded on the Oregon 5A basketball season in early March, discussion surrounding the season's best moments, players and teams hasn't slowed, as both The Oregonian and OSAA unveiled their all-state teams just last week.   With that in mind, we've decided to hand out some postseason superlatives of our own, highlighting some of the players, coaches and storylines that defined the 2025-26 season. Take a look:   Best Freshman: [player_tooltip player_id='2910097' first='Victor' last='Norris III'], Parkrose   An easy choice for this honor is Norris, who played a pivotal role for the championship-earning Broncos during his first season at the high school level. With explosive quickness, shifty handles, three-level scoring ability, and instincts well beyond his years, Norris should be a menace in the 5A classification for years to come   Most Electric Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2744991' first='Jordan' last='Gray'], North Eugene   When it comes to being "electric" on the floor, Gray fits the bill perfectly. North Eugene's star played with his heart on his sleeve throughout 2025-26, using his fiery play style to help fuel a historic season as a Highlander. The senior recorded a single-game school record 45 points in a dominant win over Springfield, and his all-around scoring ability made for one of the most exciting highlight tapes in the state. Dunks? Of course. Three-pointers? Duh. Ankle-breaking crossovers? Sure. In terms of being an exciting player to watch, Gray had it all this season.   Most Underrated Player: Hoyt Kudlac, Crook County   While it's sometimes difficult to define exactly what makes a player "underrated," we found that Kudlac's massive impact on the Cowboys' impressive transition to 5A flew under the radar throughout the season. The 6-foot senior was never the most effective scorer, but his physicality, basketball IQ and willingness to do the dirty work made him a terrific player and an every-night starter for the Cowboys. On a team with a guy like [player_tooltip player_id='2747514' first='Bryce' last='Lowenbach'], who lit up the stat sheet practically every night, Kudlac served as a constant reminder that numbers only tell one piece of the story. In the Cowboys' semifinal win over Summit, the senior guard didn't take a single shot while playing a full 32 minutes, yet his impact was felt throughout the game.   Glue Guy Award: Keion James, Parkrose   After speaking with Parkrose head coach Kendrick Williams following the Broncos' state championship win, it was clear how important James' role was to his team's success. Williams described James as the heart of the team, and emphasized that he's well-liked by his teammates and a key piece of the Portland-area brotherhood that brought home the title this spring. Far from the most talented scorer or freakiest athlete on the Broncos' stacked roster for 2025-26, James found other ways to maximize his potential as a teammate, helping hold Parkrose's scintillating pieces together.   Next Star to Watch (2026-27): [player_tooltip player_id='2699125' first='Drake' last='Walsh'], Centennial   Looking ahead, there's a number of star players to watch out for in the land of 5A, Norris included. At the top of our list, however, is Walsh, who proved himself as one of the classification's best all-around players at the state tournament as a sophomore. At 6-foot-6, Walsh is a strong, physical presence that also has the skillset to break down defenses off the dribble and score in a variety of ways. For a Centennial squad that's set to bring plenty of talent back next season, Walsh could be in the 5A player of the year conversation.

While the final buzzer sounded on the Oregon 5A basketball season in early March, discussion surrounding the season's best moments, players and teams hasn't slowed, as both The Oregonian and OSAA unveiled their all-state teams just last week.