Capitol City Classic – Quick Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 Capitol City Classic kicks off on Friday night and the field is as stacked as it's ever been in the history of the tournament. 13 of the top in-state teams in classes 6A down to 2A are in the event and their rosters are filled with potential college players all the way to Division I prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a quick look at the teams and players to watch (teams listed alphabetically):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beaverton </strong>- The Beavers enter the Cap City Classic as one of the heralded teams from in-state. Head coach Andrew Vancil has seen his squad already post some quality wins, and four guys are already averaging double figures - seniors [player_tooltip player_id='861092' first='Jalen' last='Childs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1201007' first='Brady' last='Rice'] and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1278329' first='Aidan' last='Rice'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197477' first='Max' last='Elmgren']. Junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1268432' first='Chance' last='Winter'] has already made an impact with his rebounding and shot blocking ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Canby </strong>- New head coach Matt Taylor has the Cougars playing a fast tempo and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1682453' first='Connor' last='Gensman'] has benefitted the most. The all-around guard currently ranks as one of the top scorers in 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cascade </strong>- Last year's 4A champs returns to the Capitol City Classic and could sneak away with some more wins. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1368277' first='Landon' last='Knox'] and his scoring ability has been ingrained into the system without any problem and the Horne twins, [player_tooltip player_id='1096114' first='Spencer' last='Horne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1096113' first='Samuel' last='Horne'] are grizzled veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central </strong>- The pre-season favorites of the Mid-Willamette Conference and one of the top teams in 5A, the Panthers may be a tough out in the event. Head coach Dean Sanderson has one of the top big men in the state in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1382423' first='Chase' last='Nelson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gresham </strong>- The Gophers come in fresh off a big win over Lake Oswego. The Gophers are anchored by their guards with seniors Esyah Pippa White, [player_tooltip player_id='962735' first='Scotty' last='Riddle'], [player_tooltip player_id='1096106' first='Marcus' last='McKinney'], and junior RJ Alexander. All four of these guys can score and new head coach [player_tooltip player_id='2427510' first='Corey' last='Lockhart'] is using the team's speed to their advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regis </strong>- The smallest school in the field but that might be to the Rams advantage. Head coach Jason Koehnke has a squad that's actually considered one of the top contenders in 2A and a couple of shifty guards to watch - senior [player_tooltip player_id='1545444' first='Diego' last='Aguilar'] and one of his sons, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1604665' first='Isaiah' last='Koehnke'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sherwood </strong>- It's been a tough schedule so far for head coach Rahim Tufts and the Bowmen, but the team is already battle tested. The status of star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1232163' first='Jared' last='Sucher'] is still in the air, but seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1382408' first='Matthew' last='Verkamp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='861084' first='Breyan' last='Kelly'] have risen to the occasion in the scoring department thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silverton </strong>- Head coach Tyler Allen is basically starting fresh at Silverton but expect them to be in the 5A mix by the end of the year. Early on, Evan Good and Eli Haugen are some of the names who have stepped up with their play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Salem </strong>- The Saxons are aiming to be one of the best teams in the Central Valley Conference. Even though the team is relatively young, head coach Travis Brown has some experienced players and a fast paced offense led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1110576' first='Eli' last='Gabriel'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sprague </strong>- The Olympians are essentially a new squad but head coach Jordan Graneto is slowly figuring out the right mix for success. In particular, senior Liam Spencer has stepped up early with his scoring to lead the team and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1531536' first='Jarod' last='Stanley'] has plenty of potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Linn</strong> - The pre-season #1 6A squad comes into the Capitol City Classic as the Oregon to beat. Returning state player of the year [player_tooltip player_id='861091' first='Jackson' last='Shelstad'] has been nothing short of brilliant so far and [player_tooltip player_id='861078' first='Adrian' last='Mosley'] has done plenty of damage as well for new head coach Rob Key. A potential 6A title game preview could happen in the second round between the Lions and Beaverton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Salem</strong> - The defending champs have been battling injury so far this season and haven't quite gotten into rhythm. While big man Trenton Ferguson will not be available, junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1268431' first='Connor' last='Oertel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1565735' first='Jackson' last='Leach'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1382407' first='Tommy' last='Slack'] will continue to carry the load for head coach Travis Myers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilsonville</strong> - One of the annual stalwarts in the event, head coach Chris Roche's Wildcats should once again challenge to make at least the semifinals. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1110842' first='Kallen' last='Gutridge'] has been piling up the points, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1256625' first='Maxim' last='Wu'] is running the show, and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1110843' first='Kyle' last='Counts'] has been starting to dominate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->