6A Playoffs First Round Predictions: “B” Quadrant

<p>The 6A Playoffs kick off on Wednesday night with first round games and we will take our best shot at predicting just who will advance to the second round. We continue with the games in the “B” bracket.</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#28 Canby at #5 Central Catholic</strong></h4> <p>Canby is in the playoffs for the first time in 2016 and the Cougars have some young talent led by star guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/diego-arredondo/">[player_tooltip player_id="855954" first="Diego" last="Arredondo"]</a>. Central Catholic on the other hand was expected to be here and even without the services of recent Eastern Washington commit <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-amato/">[player_tooltip player_id="535851" first="Isaiah" last="Amato"]</a> (injury) head coach David Blue has one of the deepest and talented rosters in 6A. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/darius-gakwasi/">[player_tooltip player_id="855925" first="Darius" last="Gakwasi"]</a> and DeRay Seamster have had excellent seasons and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/luke-johnson/">[player_tooltip player_id="857346" first="Luke" last="Johnson"]</a> has really emerged as a force in the paint. There’s some young talent for head coach Craig Evans at Canby but not enough this year to handle the Rams.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Central Catholic</strong></p> <p>Injury bug has plagued Central Catholic recently, but they will have enough to go over the hump in their first State game.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Central Catholic</strong></p> <p>The Rams should run away with their first round match-up behind one of the most talented rosters in the state.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Central Catholic</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#21 David Douglas at #12 Tigard</strong></h4> <p>These two teams met earlier in the year with the Tigers winning in blowout fashion. Both teams have developed since then and have done so by going against some of the best competition in the state, Tigard in the There Rivers League and David Douglas in the Mt. Hood Conference. Interestingly enough, both squads come into the post-season in not the greatest shape as Tigard has lost their last X games and David Douglas four of their last five. It will be a spirited affair but when it comes down to it, the Tigers have the TRL POY in <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drew-carter/">[player_tooltip player_id="606254" first="Drew" last="Carter"]</a> and we look for him to have a huge game to lead the Tigers to the next round.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Tigard</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drew-carter/">[player_tooltip player_id="606254" first="Drew" last="Carter"]</a>, the talented gridiron/hoops star looks to lead the Tigers to victory.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Tigard</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drew-carter/">[player_tooltip player_id="606254" first="Drew" last="Carter"]</a> and the Tigers’ shooting will catch fire in front of the home crowd early.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Tigard</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#20 Beaverton at #13 Grant</strong></h4> <p>The obvious thing that immediately stands out about this game is the difference in styles. Beaverton has the ball-control pound it inside offense whereas Grant loves to spread things out and get into transition. So obviously the big question is who will prevail. Our thought is that head coach Andrew Vancil will have the edge and that the Beavers will set the tempo and look to get it in the paint to <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dane-erikstrup/">[player_tooltip player_id="855929" first="Dane" last="Erikstrup"]</a> on almost every possession. The Generals will counter with their talented wings such as <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/erik-fraser/">[player_tooltip player_id="625625" first="Erik" last="Fraser"]</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/emanuel-steward/">[player_tooltip player_id="841400" first="Emanuel" last="Steward"]</a> but some injuries have limited them at the point. Freshman <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/adrian-mosley/">[player_tooltip player_id="861078" first="Adrian" last="Mosley"]</a> will do his best on defense but we think that Beaverton has what it takes to grind out a low-scoring win - which would be head coach Andrew Vancil’s 100th career coaching victory.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Beaverton</strong></p> <p>Will be a close race, but <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/erik-fraser/">[player_tooltip player_id="625625" first="Erik" last="Fraser"]</a> and company have looked composed at times during the season, which will come key against the Beavers.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Grant</strong></p> <p>The frontcourt presence of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dane-erikstrup/">[player_tooltip player_id="855929" first="Dane" last="Erikstrup"]</a> will give the Generals issues all night. Beavers in a back-and-forth thriller.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Beaverton</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>#29 Mountain View at #4 Clackamas</strong></h4> <p>Mountain View had a solid season, winning the games they were supposed to win in the Mountain Valley Conference and also knocking off fellow playoff member West Salem twice. The Cougars have some solid all-around players such as senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grant-jordan/">[player_tooltip player_id="841413" first="Grant" last="Jordan"]</a> and they can shoot the ball fairly well. However, head coach Bob Townsend’s team faces a very tough task against Clackamas, especially on the road where the Cavs only lost one time all year to Mt. Hood champ Barlow. The Cougars have nobody to match up with star junior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-gregg/">[player_tooltip player_id="606247" first="Ben" last="Gregg"]</a> and quite honestly we wouldn’t be surprised if this game had one of the largest margins of the first round.</p> <p><strong>Jed Prediction: Clackamas</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-gregg/">[player_tooltip player_id="606247" first="Ben" last="Gregg"]</a> will simply be too much for Mountainview to handle on the road.</p> <p><strong>Albert Prediction: Clackamas</strong></p> <p>As one of the favorites for the championship, Clackamas should blow out the Cougars behind the dominance of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-gregg/">[player_tooltip player_id="606247" first="Ben" last="Gregg"]</a>.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Prediction: Clackamas</strong></p>