Week Five – Top Performers (Class of 2024)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Week Five it was back to non-tournament play and even some league games started to get going as everything rolled into 2023. As usual, we got a chance to get out and take in some games in the Portland/Salem area and here are some of the top performers we saw, continuing with the Class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1744015' first='Marcos' last='Ramirez'] (2024 Sandy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramirez was one of the fresh finds of the week. The 6-foot point guard started last year as a sophomore but has really turned it on and has helped Sandy be one of the surprises this year. In a win against McMinnville, he was creative off of the dribble for scores cutting to the hoop but also showed the ability to hit jumpers from the outside. He's a floor leader that can both score and distribute as he finished with 25 points and 5 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1483410' first='Brysen' last='Kachel'] (2024 West Albany)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The likely college future for Kachel is on the football field - he's listed as a linebacker on recruiting sites - but the junior is big time on the basketball floor as well. Well-built at 6-foot-3, he moves extremely well and while he can certainly score on the block he has the ball skills to operate from the perimeter. He scored both high and low in a loss against Woodburn, piling up 25 points and 10 rebounds in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1495722' first='Owen' last='Wark'] (2024 McMinnville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wark was on track to getting fully healthy when we saw him, as he had been recovering from an ankle injury. The 6-foot-1 combo guard plays with toughness and as one of the few guys on the Grizzlies who can create his own shot, is counted on a lot in the offense. He was strong off the bounce, used his sturdy frame to absorb contact, and was tough on the boards. 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in an all-around effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197476' first='Kaden' last='Groenig'] (2024 Southridge)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've said this before and will say it again - don't let Groenig's youthful looks fool you. The 5-foot-10 junior combo guard is lethal both from the perimeter and off the dribble, and once his physical maturity catches up - watch out. In a blowout win over Liberty, Groenig was largely lethal from three - hitting 4 from distance - but also ventured into a lane a bit. He also did a great job getting the ball to open teammates. 17 points and 6 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110914' first='Carter' last='Fortune'] (2024 Southridge)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his larger size at 6-foot-2, Fortune works well alongside Groenig in their two-headed backcourt attack. Against Liberty, the junior took the ball strong to the basket and he's one of the better ones we've seen who is able to absorb and finish through contact off the drive. His increased confidence in his perimeter shooting is evident as well as he knocked down a couple of threes. He finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->