2023 Capitol City Classic Preview

The Capitol City Classic kicks off on Friday night and this year's field features many top 5A and 6A squads in the mix - including the returning state champions in both divisions. Here's a quick look at all of the in-state teams participating and some of the players to watch out for.   Tualatin - The two-time defending 6A state champs make their debut in the CCC and have as good a shot as any in-state team to do major damage. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1174265' first='Jaden' last='Steppe'] leads the way for the Timberwolves and the Colorado State signee can get it done from pretty much anywhere on the basketball floor. Fellow CSU commit for football [player_tooltip player_id='1266106' first='AJ' last='Noland'] also returns in the backcourt and alongside him is rising sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1582973' first='Jemai' last='Lake']. Other returnees include [player_tooltip player_id='2056360' first='Cole' last='Javernick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1565736' first='Zach' last='Zuckerman'] as head coach Bubba Lemon has a team that's athletic, strong, and experienced.   Wilsonville - The two-time defending 5A state champs have been a participant in the CCC from day one and once again look to make some noise. Head coach Chris Roche's squad is off to a fast start having captured the title of their own event, the WIT, and as you might expect seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1110842' first='Kallen' last='Gutridge'] and St. Thomas signee [player_tooltip player_id='1110843' first='Kyle' last='Counts'] have led the way. Their two other returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='1110844' first='Nick' last='Colyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2348760' first='Emmett' last='Fee'] have also been solid and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2297386' first='Jacob' last='Boss'] has emerged as an all-around threat on the offensive end.   Cascade Christian - The two-time defending 3A state champs come to the field for the very first time and are looking to prove that small schools can compete with the big boys. The Crusaders are led by Grand Canyon signee [player_tooltip player_id='1110567' first='Austin' last='Maurer'] and the top big man in the state is fully healthy and ready to dominate. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2026055' first='Avery' last='Huston'] is also set to make his debut on the big stage and returnees such as [player_tooltip player_id='1268433' first='Peyton' last='Maurer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1947058' first='Deryk' last='Farmer'] will provide plenty of support for head coach Brian Morse.   Beaverton - The Beavers are back again at the CCC for the third year in a row and head coach Andrew Vancil has a squad that hopes to advance far in the bracket as they have the past couple of times. He'll rely on the one-two guard punch of [player_tooltip player_id='1278329' first='Aidan' last='Rice'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197477' first='Max' last='Elmgren'] to do damage from the perimeter and big man [player_tooltip player_id='1268432' first='Chance' last='Winter'] to anchor the middle - a senior trio that's hard to top. If the supporting cast can step up in their roles, watch out.   West Salem - The Titans are the only school in the field who have ever won the CCC - they won it in 2021 - and West Salem hopes to make a run again this year. Head coach Travis Myers has two guys still around from that squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1565735' first='Jackson' last='Leach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1268431' first='Connor' last='Oertel'], and they're the team's top two players. Matthew Luke will bomb away from the outside - just ask West Linn earlier this week about his clutch ability - and a number of others should contribute as well.   Woodburn - Woodburn made noise their first year back in 5A last season and have the returnees back to once again make some waves. Head coach Raul Veliz has two main components back of any good team - an experienced point guard in son [player_tooltip player_id='1368274' first='Cruz' last='Veliz'] and a versatile big man in [player_tooltip player_id='1883819' first='Liam' last='Slattum']. [player_tooltip player_id='1908827' first='Brody' last='Hawley'] is also back to bring his high-intensity style of play.   West Albany - The Bulldogs are one of the bigger teams in 5A and head coach Drew Halvorson feels they can take the next step and make it to state this season. Manchild [player_tooltip player_id='1483410' first='Brysen' last='Kachel'] leads the way for West Albany and he's flanked by even more size with 6-foot-6 Austin Simmons and 6-foot-5 [player_tooltip player_id='2045350' first='Owen' last='Hopkins'] alongside him.   Sprague - The Olympians seem to be a regular at the CCC as one of the Salem area's top teams each season and head coach Jordan Graneto will have a team ready to rack up some wins. [player_tooltip player_id='1531536' first='Jarod' last='Stanley'] has been a key guy so far and brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1908832' first='Grayson' last='Long'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2722533' first='Braxton' last='Long'] have consistently been scoring leaders in games as well. Senior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1464497' first='Greg' last='Comer'] will always be a threat with his ability to get hot from three.   Century - Head coach Scott Kellar brings the Jaguars into the CCC coming off a fast start this season with their last two wins by 30 and 40 points. Century is a guard-oriented squad, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1111363' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'] and juniors Jessley Bukeyeneza and Islam Muzaffarov, and overall the Jaguars have good team speed and can really do damage in transition.   South Salem - A team built for the future, the Saxons could surprise some folks now. A big reason why for head coach Travis Brown is do-it-all senior [player_tooltip player_id='1110576' first='Eli' last='Gabriel'], who will be counted on for leadership this season. The sophomore trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1687840' first='Teagan' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='1671256' first='Tko' last='Westbrook'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2356234' first='Jack' last='Lapray'] is the main core for South Salem though and contributions from all three will be needed at the CCC.   Silverton - Head coach Jamie McCarty is back with the Silver Foxes after a year away and his presence alone will make Silverton a tough out in the CCC. One benefit is most of last year's roster is back, with senior Elijah Howard and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1910905' first='Brody' last='Kuenzi'] and Sawyer Teeney the ones to keep an eye out for. The Silver Foxes are coming off a big win over Woodburn coming into the event.   Lake Oswego - It's a new era in Lake Oswego and interim head coach Mark Swenson is slowly figuring things out so far this season in Laker Land. One guy he knew he could count on is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1507262' first='Aengus' last='Sutherland'], who has been near unstoppable on the offensive end. Fellow senior Peter Cory and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1315378' first='Corbin' last='Cichy'] have also been solid contributors so far this season as LO hopes to pull off some upsets in this year's CCC.   North Salem - One of the younger teams at the CCC, the Vikings are certainly happy to be invited this year but are hopeful to get some wins as well. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1910911' first='Maverick' last='Huynh'] has been the team leader so far in the scoring department, but also look out for guys like Shane Ryder and Antonio Alvarez as well.

The Capitol City Classic kicks off on Friday night and this year's field features many top 5A and 6A squads in the mix - including the returning state champions in both divisions. Here's a quick look at all of the in-state teams participating and some of the players to watch out for.