2019-20 6A Preview: Mountain Valley Conference

The 2019-20 season is upon us and it’s time to take a look at the top leagues in the state. Today's look is at the Mountain Valley Conference which once again is full of potential playoff teams. 2018-19 Review With the addition of teams from east of the Cascades, the Mountain Valley Conference put together a fun campaign in 2018-19. While South Salem was far and away the best team in the league with a 13-1 record, the next six teams fought on a nightly basis for positioning within the league and in the end, five of them qualified for the post-season with one (Summit) barely missing out. While only the Saxons were able to win a game in the playoffs - making it all the way to the Chiles Center and finishing in fifth place - it was all-around a successful first full year of the league in the new configuration. State Tournament Threats South Salem – Normally a team that loses four starters - one of whom is now playing Division I basketball at Portland State (Jaden Nielsen-Skinner, aka "Skinny") - and has to replace their coach would be in full rebuilding mode. That's not the case at South Salem as assistant Travis Brown takes over to maintain some continuity and the Saxons have brought in some talented transfers. The one main guy who is back, Trey Galbraith (14.7 ppg, .420 3pt%), is a good one and he's more than ready to take the proverbial car keys. There's no doubt the senior guard will be scoring a lot but he'll have plenty of help. Kieran Pruitt (9.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.1 spg) transfers in and he'll help out with the ball-handling duties and defense, and Cole Hardy, making the move up from Salem Academy, can also put the biscuit in the basket at different levels. Junior Nick Zuro steps into the post as one of the top players in his class in the state and Isaac Gabriel transfers in from Corvallis where he was a starter. To add to the fun, Emorej Lynk comes in from Kennedy and now that he's medically cleared from ACL surgery, will instantly add strength and athleticism. Post-Season Programs Sprague – The Olympians changed over to more of a guard-oriented attack last season and it worked out well as Sprague qualified for the post-season. Now a year more seasoned, expect much of the same from head coach Jordan Graneto's squad. Mason Lomax (16.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.0 apg) leads the way and is primed for a big year, as is Kobe Withers (14.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.2 apg) who rocks one of of the top mid-range games in the state. Greyson Salinas (5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg) lends experience and ball-handling as a rock-solid third guard in the lineup. How much damage Sprague can really do may depend on developing sophomore big man Dallon Morgan (5.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg) who has grown to near 6-foot-10. Despite his height he's also able to score from the perimeter (14 made threes) and he could potentially be the best post in the league. West Salem – Despite having a squad that was largely green to the varsity scene, West Salem put together a great second-place finish in league play. Now instead of trying to replace everybody, the Titans will have virtually everyone back. All-league performer Justin Scoggin (22.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 spg) is the top returnee and the do-it-all guard should challenge for the league lead in scoring if not for league MVP honors. He's a four-year college prospect for sure. Also back is senior Austin Galberth (7.8 ppg, .567 fg%) as well as the talented junior class of Holden Whipple (8.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Jackson Lowery (5.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), and Anthony Pugh (4.4 ppg, .622 fg%) and the key may be who steps up to help give head coach Travis Myers a little more offensive balance. Summit – Summit was young last season and they certainly took their lumps. But with the hardship came experience and now the Storm has learned and is ready for a post-season run as all five starters have returned for head coach Jon Frazier. Jacob Tompkins (17.5 ppg, 70 made threes) leads the way and the knock-down shooter has added more off-the-ball and playmaking to his game. The senior is one of the most highly recruited high-academic prospects in the state. Point guard Evan Scalley (3.8 apg) will head the attack, Luke Cody will help out underneath, and the talented sophomore class of Truman Teuber, Julian Mora, and Shane Arnold are ready to elevate their games. The Storm can certainly shoot the ball so their success may depend on their ability to rebound and defend. Mountain View – Mountain View surpassed expectations in their first year in the Mountain Valley Conference and finished with a winning record and a post-season berth. The Cougars will once again be perimeter-oriented and while Chase McClain (23.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg) moves on to Linfield and he's a huge hole to fill, much of the rest of the team is back. Grant Jordan (12.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is a nice inside-out threat, forward Austin Fields (10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .643 fg%) is good around the basket, all-around guard/wing Sawyer Demeyer (5.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.5 apg), and Tony Adamo (8.2 ppg, 2.1 apg, .481 3pt%) who led 6A in three-point shooting are the key returnees as head coach Bob Townsend's squad will be senior-dominated in 2019-20. McNary - McNary's goal is always to make it to the post-season but if the Celtics are going to get there, they will have to get up to speed quickly as head coach Ryan Kirch doesn't have a ton of experience coming back. One guy who certainly will be depended upon is Nate Meithof (17.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.5 apg). The 6-foot-3 junior really came into his own as a scorer last year and the Division I recruit will attract the attention of defenses this year. A trio of seniors - Tyler O'Connor (3.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Riley Flores (2.2 ppg), and Jamie Ochoa (1.5 ppg) - also return and will have to step into more leading roles. Varsity ewcomers such as sophomores Kyler Rodriguez and Carson Long, freshman Hondo Gonzalez, and junior transfer Junior Nunez form Central will have to learn quickly as saying McNary is largely green between the ears would be an understatement. In Transition Bend – Bend had a solid transition to 6A and the Mountain Valley, and rode the shoulders of its senior class to sneak into the post-season. Unfortunately that group of players has moved on as did head coach Scott Baker. While the cupboard isn't bare for new head coach Aaron Johnson, there's definitely rebuilding ahead. Senior Max Teichrow is a hard-working but undersized post and other seniors such as Ethan Starling, Jordan Hall, and Aaron Chopra have some varsity playing experience but other than that a bunch of new guys will need to make their names known. McKay – The highlight of last season was the viral video of the team signing "Over the Rainbow" on the bus after a game, which put a heartwarming note on what ended up being a winless season. The Scots have essentially a new team as seniors graduated and head coach Dean Sanderson moved on, but interim head coach KJ McCrae brings in optimism and a nothing-to-lose attitude that will help McKay continue the rebuilding process. While wins may not be plentiful, hard work and effort will certainly not be in short supply. League Predictions 1. South Salem 2. Sprague 3. West Salem 4. Summit 5. Mountain View 6. McNary 7. Bend 8. McKay Player of the Year Trey Galbraith, South Salem. Last season Skinny was a no-brainer for this pick but this year it won't be anywhere near unanimous as there are some tremendous candidates including a few guys who were First Team All-Conference. When it comes down to it, we're going to have to go with the best guy on the best team and that's Galbraith, who will be handed the reins of the Saxon attack. The senior has an extra chip on his shoulder and will be motivated not only to win but prove himself as an individual and we see him slightly above the rest of the pack for this award. All-League Predictions: Galbraith; Mason Lomax, Sprague; Nate Meithof, McNary; Justin Scoggin, West Salem; Jacob Tompkins, Summit Top Sleeper/Newcomer Nick Zuro, South Salem. It's not everyday a 6-foot-7 guy drops in your lap, and an athletic and skilled one at that. But Zuro is a Salem-area native and after a couple of years criss-crossing around the country with his family, returns to the Valley to suit up with the Saxons and will make an instant impact. He showed signs of dominance in the summer with the team and with Hoop Salem, and while size alone will give him an advantage most nights he also has the ability to hit perimeter shots and create off the dribble. Outlook There are definitely chemistry issues to work out with all the transfers coming in, but the talent and firepower is there for South Salem to repeat as Mountain Valley Conference champs. It by far will not be a cake walk however as teams such as Sprague, West Salem, Summit, and Mountain View all have guys who have experienced guys who are hungry to take their teams to the next level. Expect a battle royale between those teams for spots 2-5 and all should have enough to get into the post-season. Of all the teams, South Salem is the only one that potentially has what it takes to make it to Chiles and could even be a darkhorse title game contender.