Best of the Best – College Commitment Catchup

The third annual Best of the Best Tournament took place this past weekend and top seniors from all over the state converged to Reynolds high school for two full days of great competition. A number of these seniors recently made their college commitments and we had a chance to catch up with them about their decisions.

Finishing his high school career as one of the all-time great players in Canby history, Jaxon Lawson will be taking his game to Chemeketa. It was a furious recruitment for the point guard as a number of in-state D-III, NAIA, and NWAC schools all offered spots for him but in the end it was Storm head coach Jeff Williams that secured his services.

"I would say the biggest thing was they were really big on relationships and that is something I really take pride in," Lawson said. "I also love how they care about training guys and getting them to the next level and how they are deeply invested in the schooling and the people in the program. I think the impact I see myself having is just making the team better and helping them any way I can by being a true point guard and helping them win games."

Linn-Benton has rebuilt its roster this recruiting cycle and Augie Frantz will be on board to help out in the backcourt. The high-motor and ultra-competitive guard with an underrated offensive game is looking forward to joining what the Roadrunners have in place.

"I felt like it was the right place for me," Frantz said. "I didn't really have much (recruitment) coming out of high school after the season, so I went to the runs and he offered me, so I felt like I had to take that opportunity and make the best of it. I'm going to be a one, just getting guys involved, playing defense, and contributing to winning."

Joining Frantz at Linn-Benton is Andrew Haas, who was not only one of the top big men in the PIL last season but in the entire state. He was a critical recruit for head coach Todd Zimmerman and the Cleveland graduate is looking forward to continuing building his game in Albany.

"I have family history there - my dad went there, and then my sister went there," Haas said. "I like (head coach) Todd (Zimmerman) a lot, he's a good coach and I like all the people there. They definitely have the tools to develop me, getting better post footwork and stuff like that especially and that's what I'm really working towards right now. I'm excited to get started."

Cole Ricketts was another player that had a number of looks from the in-state D-III, NAIA, and NWAC schools. After mulling things over, the connection he had with head coach Vonte Davis and a current Titans team member who he played with at McNary helped him determine that Lane would be the best fit for him.

"I just like the coaching staff - I feel like they are going to really push me in everything," Ricketts said. "I like how they run the practices and even the open gyms, it's not just like roll the ball on to the court and play - it's like warm-up and everything. I just really like the school too - going back and playing with Steven Adams, it's going to be fun again. I'm goin gto love it - it's perfect."

Staying close to home wasn't necessarily a requirement for Maddox Young, but the versatile swingman from Barlow will do just that by signing with PCC. He's a part of head coach Brendan Ritschard's first-ever recruiting class and he's excited to get going.

"I chose PCC because of the culture of winning and the way they make it more then basketball and like a family, and also the great coaching staff," Young said. "The coaches instilled a lot of support in my senior year by showing up to games and being there for me. I like the way they play fast, and shoot willingly, I think it fits my play style really well. Those are the big reasons as to why I chose to attend PCC next year!"

Our congratulations go out to all these student athletes and their families on their decisions.