Final week, The Oregonian/OregonLive took a deep dive into the Metro League’s boys basketball groups.
Now, it’s time to take a more in-depth look on all the high gamers to look at within the district this winter.
Bruno Lopez-Prado, junior, Aloha
Lopez-Prado is the Warriors’ greatest shooter and, regardless of his standing as a guard, rebounder. He was the group’s MVP as a sophomore and continues to development upwards.
Anden Augustus, junior, Aloha
One other standout Aloha guard, Augustus drive’s the group’s competitiveness. He’s additionally a group chief, mentioned coach Dan Ellis, and can be important if the Warriors wish to put a tough season final yr behind them.
Jenner Mitcham, senior, Aloha
Mitcham is the group’s most improved participant, mentioned Ellis. After a powerful offseason, the ahead is prepared for a senior leap. Mitcham can be the group’s high defensive risk and can have his arms full guarding a slew of elite gamers throughout the Metro League slate.
Ahmed Abalo, sophomore, Beaverton
Abalo is the one participant on the Beavers’ roster with varsity expertise, having performed in some huge spots for this system as a freshman. “Good athlete with good bounce,” coach Andrew Vancil mentioned of the guard/wing. “In search of him to take a step up as a defender and determination maker.”
Njenga Mungai, junior, Beaverton
Mungai would have performed varsity final season had he not suffered a season-ending knee damage. He’s again now, nevertheless, and searching good. “Certainly one of our higher shooters and play makers,” Vancil mentioned, “I anticipate an enormous yr for him.”
Blake Unruh, sophomore, Beaverton
Unruh performed guard on junior varsity final season, however might want to acclimate rapidly to assist a younger Beavers’ group ta the varsity stage. Vancil loves his data of the sport and lauded his voice and management on the court docket.
Patrick Kilfoil, senior, Jesuit
Kilfoil landed on the all-league second group final season after averaging 16.2 factors per sport for the Crusaders. Head coach Gene Potter known as him an “excellent throughout participant on each ends of the ground,” including that he “can play each with the ball in his arms and off the ball equally nicely.”
Isaac Bongen, sophomore, Jesuit
It took however just a few video games final season for Bongen to say himself as maybe the state’s greatest freshman. The wing averaged 12.5 factors per sport and landed on the all-league third group a yr in the past. “He’s a dynamic athlete with nice vary on his bounce shot,” Potter mentioned. He continues to enhance attacking the basket and can be counted on to rebound and defend at a excessive stage for the Crusaders.
Ryan Barone, junior, Jesuit
Barone is an “excellent” outdoors shooter, within the phrases of Potter. The wing got here off the bench final season as a sophomore, however has already secured a a lot bigger function right here as a junior for Jesuit.
Peyton Reyes, senior, Mountainside
Reyes has lengthy been considered one of Class 6A’s high defenders. A comparatively undersized guard, he’s made a residing on the highest ranges by way of his hustle and reflexes. Coach Dustin Hewitt additionally known as him an “elite shooter.”
Eli Vizconde, junior, Mountainside
Vizconde acquired severe minutes for the Mavericks as a freshman as a result of his innate perimeter taking pictures skill. Ever since, the guard has regularly expanded his offensive sport, turning into much more well-rounded as a scoring risk. With the offseason switch of star guard Brayden Boe, Vizconde ought to be a significant a part of the Mavericks’ offense this yr.
J’Kobi Nicholson, junior, Mountainside
Nicholson broke into the Mavericks’ rotation in a big means final season and his function isn’t going anyplace anytime quickly. “He doesn’t again down from anybody and is an elite passer,” Hewitt mentioned of the junior guard.
Alonzo Hoff, senior, Southridge
A returning all-league second group wing, Hoff does a little bit of all of it at 6-foot-7. “Zo is an elite defender who can assault the rim and shoot the three at a excessive stage,” coach Phil Vesel mentioned. With the departure of the 2 graduated guards Kaden Groenig and Carter Fortune, Hoff is in retailer for extra on-the-ball offensive utilization this yr.
Keenan Reckamp, senior, Southridge
Reckamp led Class 6A in three-point taking pictures proportion final yr and isn’t shy about letting them fly. A 6-foot-2 wing, the third-year starter is a returning all-league third group participant who has expanded his sport off the bounce.
Elijah Thompson, sophomore, Southridge
Thompson discovered his means into the Skyhawks’ rotation as a freshman and proved he belonged on considered one of 6A’s best groups. He averaged 10 factors per sport in league play final season because the group’s sixth man. Vesel mentioned he’ll be the group’s major ball-handler this season.
Drew Groenig, junior, Southridge
Groenig, whose older brother ran the purpose for the Skyhawks for a number of years, is following in Kaden’s footsteps. A 6-foot-2 wing, he’s turning into a much bigger and larger a part of the rotation. His calling card final season was his elite three-point taking pictures, however his sport is ready to develop right here within the again half of his prep profession.
Matthew Lohman, senior, Sundown
A 3rd-year varsity participant, Lohman is a “sturdy athlete” who additionally excels for the varsity’s soccer group. The 6-foot guard can be counted on for his management and scoring skill this season, mentioned coach David Saultz.
Rocco Ebenal, sophomore, Sundown
A lefty level guard, Ebenal is a “very sensible participant who understands the sport and is extremely aggressive,” Saultz mentioned. His data of tips on how to run a group has helped him carve out a large function for the Apollos, regardless of his youth.
Shay Thompson, sophomore, Sundown
Thompson brings some dimension on the wing for the Apollos. He can play each in and out together with his “easy” athleticism and is a burgeoning three-level scorer. “He can be requested to perform a little little bit of the whole lot for us,” Saultz mentioned.
James Kefgan, senior, Westview
Kefgan’s switch from Liberty to Westview may very well be one of many extra impactful strikes of the offseason. As a junior, the taking pictures guard was one of many state’s most efficient scorers, honing in a three-level skillset. He’s an enormous addition to a Wildcats group that was within the thick of the Metro League race a yr in the past.
Kai Russell, senior, Westview
Russell joins Kefgan in a backcourt stuffed with expertise and expertise. A 3-year starter, the senior level guard made the all-league second group final season. Russell averaged 11.1 factors per sport as a junior.
Jason Grady, senior, Westview
Grady is a little bit of a “wild card” within the phrases of coach Mike Wolf. The senior ahead missed all of final season as a result of ankle surgical procedure, however was one of many group’s premiere skills earlier than he was sidelined. Amid his return this summer season, Grady blossomed into the group’s main scorer and rebounder, elevating the bar for his senior yr ceiling.
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