University of Oregon Team Camp – 5A Team Notes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The University of Oregon held its team camp the final weekend of June, and as always teams from all over the state from all classifications arrived in Eugene ready to compete. We love attending the event every year as it gives us a chance to see some of the teams from Central and Southern Oregon that we don't normally see as often as those from the Portland metro area. Here's a look at some of the 5A teams that we watched and some quick notes on each of their rosters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crater</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crater lost several seniors but reload with not only returnees but some impact transfers as well. The main returnee is guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2287516' first='Malachi' last='Barlow']</strong>, who will both score and facilitate for head coach Bryan Scott's Comets. Phoenix transfer rising sophomore <strong>David Flood</strong> can really shoot the ball from the outside and fellow transfers in rising seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3037270' first='Tahvo' last='Pool']</strong> (from North Medford) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3037269' first='Quinton' last='Withers']</strong> (from South Medford) give Crater plenty of size underneath.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridgeview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing head coach Maarty Leunen knew he had returning was one of the best players in the state in his son, 5A's leading scorer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2124991' first='Gavin' last='Leunen']</strong>. What he wasn't sure about going into summer was what kind of help he'd have and one of those questions was answered as transfer guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2172116' first='Rocco' last='Ebenal']</strong> will also be a Raven. He was impressive playing along side Elite 24 club teammate Leunen in Eugene. Rising junior <strong>Austin Marcum</strong> adds scoring, rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2678950' first='Drew' last='Muilenburg'] is experienced and while it's not official, possible transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2126215' first='Liam' last='Rea']</strong> from North Medford was also playing with Ridgeview at UO Camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silverton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New head coach Andrew Vancil has jumped right in with the Silver Foxes and is excited about what's ahead. From what we saw in Eugene, they will be a physical squad with some experience at point guard with <strong>Luke Horner</strong> and inside with <strong>Sully Slaughter</strong>. <strong>Gavin Wavra</strong> and <strong>Lincoln Teeney</strong> will be two other experienced seniors that will be key players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thurston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eric Orton moves up to head coach from assistant and expect the Colts to remain a tough, defensive team. The question will be on offense as they have to replace the production of an all-stater like Lucas LaBounty, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2460163' first='Treyson' last='Hill']</strong> has been up to the challenge this summer. Big man <strong>Leofatu Felipe</strong> will also be a big part of the team's plans as will fellow rising junior <strong>Quinn Piquette</strong>. Rising senior transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2479605' first='Doug' last='Green']</strong> will be a real wildcard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Albany</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to imagine a team losing three guys to the college level still being a state contender, but that's what West Albany looked like at UO Camp. The Bulldogs are strong, athletic, and play high-octane offense and head coach Drew Halvorson has some big returnees in rising seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2732151' first='Grey' last='Nieman']</strong> and <strong>Brett Gilles</strong> leading the way. A huge addition is the arrival of rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2790667' first='Scottie' last='Miller']</strong>, who is as explosive a scorer as we saw all summer at any level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Willamette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines haven't made a whole lot of noise the past few years but moving down to 5A, look for head coach Jake O'Connor's squad to really surprise some people. The team is young but extremely talented and in Eugene, we were particularly impressed with younger players such as rising sophomore point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2771013' first='Jordan' last='Giles']</strong>, rising junior wings <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2638616' first='Ambrose' last='Gardner']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2682908' first='Elijah' last='Baravilala']</strong>, and rising junior big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2949432' first='Brennan' last='Campbell']</strong>. The future is extremely bright at Willamette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->