6A: Nelson Hawks – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season approaches, rosters are being released and I'm going to be previewing each team from the 6A and 5A levels. I'll go over each team's key players going into this coming season, list the returners/newcomers, and key departures. Here is the preview of the Nelson Hawks (6A) of the Mt Hood Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Daniel Blanks (3rd Season at Nelson, 35-17 Record)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 21-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2026057"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930daa29b4fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moving into the top spot in this update is Gaines, who followed up a sensational sophomore campaign where he led 6A in scoring with a solid run on the EYBL with NW Rotary Rebels. He also performed well in elite camps during the fall and that led him to earning his first two scholarship offers from Western Oregon and Portland State and there's plenty of interest from other schools. He's a candidate for not only Mt Hood Conference but state POY honors. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427510"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930daa29b598"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lockhart is a balanced lefty guard who shows all the skill to affect the game in various ways. Mainly on display at the Pop-Up was his quickness and shooting, and often the potency of those two things together. He's quick and can cover ground with his crossovers with good bursts north and south, but also has an incredibly quick dribble-to-shot time that he showed off with pull-ups and step-backs. Also displayed his passing ability with some great touch passes to guys cutting through the defense or flaring off screens, measuring the weight and precision of the pass near perfect. (RM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2427524"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930daa29b619"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore forward was a constant threat around the rim and earned a ton of trips to the foul line with his constant work inside. Has the footwork to catch away from the hoop and beat the initial defender, and was constantly crashing in or setting up under the hoop to reel in boards on both ends of the floor. Also showed he can step out and knock down some jumpers away from the hoop. (RM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2204994' first='Jordan' last='Bonifacio'] (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2470697' first='Chaz' last='Katoanga'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2026060' first='Jaydon' last='Schregardus'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2469344' first='Zaden' last='Richardson'] (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2313999' first='Cooper' last='Day'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2132795' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2364540' first='Josh' last='Lopez'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2427510' first='Carter' last='Lockhart'] (Class of 2028, Transfer from Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leo Onischenko (Class of 2028, Trasnfer from Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cal Gradwahl (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashton Candwell (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trace Barnes (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additonal Contributions by Jed Tai &amp; Ryan Morgan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->