2021-22 6A Preview: Southwest Conference

<p>After a non-traditional season in 2021, the 2021-22 campaign is highly anticipated as it will be back to "normal" for just about everyone across the state.  Last year, the Southwest Conference was largely confined to schools playing against one another in the region including 5A but this season we will see teams more often in other parts of Oregon.  </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>League Predictions</strong></span></p> <p>1. South Medford<br /> 2. North Medford<br /> 3. South Eugene<br /> 4. Sheldon<br /> 5. Grants Pass<br /> 6. Roseburg</p> <p><strong>Player of the Year</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="942247" first="Devon" last="Malcolm"], South Medford</p> <p><strong>All-League Predictions</strong>: Malcolm; [player_tooltip player_id="1269430" first="Jackson" last="Weiland"], South Medford; [player_tooltip player_id="964544" first="Bryce" last="Dyer"], North Medford;  [player_tooltip player_id="1079549" first="Treyson" last="Neff"], North Medford; [player_tooltip player_id="1079545" first="Oscar" last="James"], South Eugene</p> <p><strong>Top Sleeper/Newcomer</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id="1110808" first="Boden" last="Howell"], South Medford</p> <p><strong>State Tournament Threats: </strong>South Medford, North Medford</p> <p><strong>Other Post-Season Teams: </strong>South Eugene</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Analysis<br /> </strong></span></p> <p>For the first time since "Murph" strolled the sidelines it appears that South Medford is the team to beat in the SWC.  Head coach James Wightman’s Panthers return the majority of the squad that finished 14-1 and have added some talented young players to the mix.  [player_tooltip player_id="942247" first="Devon" last="Malcolm"] (15.1 ppg, 7.2 RPG) made a definite impact on both ends of the floor, utilizing his high-flying athleticism effectively.  The 6-foot-4 swingman worked on refining his perimeter skills and could be the odds-on favorite to win league Player of the Year honors.  He’s got plenty of support as fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id="964543" first="Junior" last="Sleezer"] (13.9 ppg, 3.0 apg) is also back as is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1269430" first="Jackson" last="Weiland"] (12.2 ppg, 3.4 apg) who had some spectacular moments as a freshman.  Joining in the fun are a couple of freshmen in [player_tooltip player_id="1110808" first="Boden" last="Howell"] and Drew Hall, the former of which comes into the high school ranks with a Division I scholarship offer from the University of Portland.  The Panthers will play in the inaugural The Hardwood Invite in Washington and the Abby’s Holiday Classic, so they should be battle tested this year as they pursue a state tournament bid.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">North Medford finished just behind South last season at 14-2 and head coach Scott Plankenhorn also returns a number of key guys.  MVP Landon Ellis (13.1 ppg, 4.0 apg) is the key guy to replace but it’s an opportunity for someone like [player_tooltip player_id="1079549" first="Treyson" last="Neff"] (17.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .436 3pt%) to expand his game a little beyond just catching and shooting the basketball, something the senior is definitely capable of doing.  [player_tooltip player_id="964544" first="Bryce" last="Dyer"] (8.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.0 apg) will continue to do the dirty work inside and there aren’t many players in the state who are as hard-nosed as the 6-foot-5 senior.  The Black Tornado had a solid run at the Oregon Madness Tournament held after the regular season ended, finishing in second.  This year’s schedule will be tough as there are a number of trips up north on I-5 but North Medford has what it takes to possibly make a deep playoff run.</span></p> <p>South Eugene loses do-it-all athlete Jarrett Bryant (19.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg) to the college ranks, but the Axe have some experienced returnees in guards [player_tooltip player_id="1085782" first="Solomon" last="Nice"] (10 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="1079545" first="Oscar" last="James"] (9 ppg).  Head coach Dave Hancock also believes that senior guard Zane Fahl, who emerged as a scoring threat late last season, will be a factor.  Sheldon graduated "99%" of their production from last year according to head coach Eric Orton, but the experienced head coach does return some experience in seniors Nate Kokkler (3.6 ppg, 1.3 apg), Derek Frey (1.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg), and Lucas Kirkpatrick (1.0 ppg).  6-foot-5 junior Luke Leighton has potential, as does Springfield transfer point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1111369" first="Landyn" last="Bryant"].</p> <p>Brand new head coach Joel Jessee starts from scratch at Grants Pass and without a summer to work with his guys, it may take some time before the Cavemen are really a factor.  Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1315361" first="Trent" last="Anderson"] and junior Mason Bennett have impressed the longtime girls hoops coach so far in practice.  Finally, Roseburg continues to rebuild under head coach Jordan Humphreys but a number of young players do return with experience.</p>