10 storylines for 2022-23 Oregon high school boys basketball season

By Bob Lundeberg  

The Oregon highschool basketball season is getting into its first full week of motion, and within the coming days SBLive Oregon will study a number of of the highest storylines and spotlight lots of of gamers to control this winter. 

Listed below are 10 of the most important storylines getting into the 2022-23 Oregon boys basketball season. 

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1. Pat Stickland returns to Jefferson

After a one-year teaching sabbatical, a rested Pat Strickland is again at Jefferson. Strickland, who guided the Democrats to 5 state titles and an general report of 274-71 in his first 13 seasons, is among the most high-profile coaches in Oregon. Jefferson is coming off a disappointing two-win season, however Strickland believes the workforce will bounce again this winter with leaders resembling Sanborne Melson and T.J. Latu. Anticipate the Democrats to be a troublesome out come February and March. 

2. Jackson Shelstad’s final journey at West Linn

Jackson Shelstad has nothing left to perform as a person in highschool basketball. The Gatorade and 6A state participant of the yr as a junior, Shelstad — rated No. 49 nationally within the 247Sports composite rankings — signed with Oregon in November. Shelstad helped lead West Linn to the soccer state championship this fall, however the star level guard continues to be chasing a title in basketball. He may have his finest shot at it this winter with a powerful all-around workforce that features Grant switch Adrian Moseley and Division I soccer recruits Mark Hamper and Sam Leavitt.

3. Is Beaverton the beast of the Metro?

Beaverton constructed upon a powerful COVID season by successful 19 video games final winter and reaching the 6A state match. The workforce did lose Metro participant of the yr Trevon Hamilton to commencement, however a powerful core that features Max Elmgren, Aiden Rice and Brady Rice returns because the Beavers look to win their first Metro title since 2017. Beaverton additionally added one of many state’s prime transfers in Jalen Childs, a combo guard who led the Metro in scoring final season for Sundown. Childs and Glencoe switch Likelihood Winter, a 6-foot-11 middle, may very well be the items that put the Beavers excessive in league matchups with fellow state match contenders Jesuit and Mountainside. 

4. Class 5A provides a brand new energy in Summit

Summit had a near-storybook season final winter, successful its first 27 video games earlier than falling to Tualatin within the 6A title recreation. Now again in 5A, the Storm need to match the varsity’s soccer workforce by making a run to the state championship. Summit returns solely two gamers from final season’s group, however each are stars. 6-foot-7 junior Pearson Carmichael scored 35 factors within the workforce’s season-opening win over South Medford, and junior guard Collin Moore is a lights-out shooter. The Storm additionally added Benson switch Miguel Taylor as they appear to dethrone Wilsonville. 

5. A star-studded sophomore class

A number of freshmen hit the bottom working on the 6A degree a season in the past. Brayden Boe (Mountainside) and Boden Howell (South Medford) began within the backcourt for state match groups. Jalen Atkins proved to be a high-end scorer for Barlow, as did Isaac Carr for Central Catholic. One of the best of the bunch is likely to be Lake Oswego ahead Winters Grady, a coveted 6-foot-6 recruit with a various offensive ability set. All 5 gamers maintain Division I gives and will likely be thrilling to observe over the subsequent three seasons. 

6. Reloaded Tualatin stays a contender

Tualatin misplaced 4 starters and its head coach from final season’s state championship workforce, however the Timberwolves haven’t any plans on being a one-hit-wonder. Senior guard Josiah Lake and junior wing Jaden Steppe are Division I abilities who performed key roles for the workforce final winter. This system saved its teaching employees intact by selling Bubba Lemon to interchange Todd Jukkala. Tualatin gained’t have the identical firepower with out dynamic guards Noah Ogoli and Malik Ross, however don’t be shocked to see the Timberwolves again on the state match. 

7. Can anybody cease Austin Maurer?

The reigning 3A state participant of the yr, the 7-foot Austin Maurer dominated final season as Cascade Christian gained the state title. Maurer, Oregon’s prime recruit for the category of 2024 and No. 150 nationally within the 247Sports composite rankings, holds gives from Oregon State, Portland, Sacramento State and Wyoming, amongst others. His dad, Marty, was a decent finish on Oregon State’s 2001 Fiesta Bowl workforce. With Maurer main the best way, Cascade Christian may very well be the state’s finest small-school workforce. 

8. The PIL title race is as compelling as ever

The PIL had loads of energy on the prime final season as Cleveland, Grant, Lincoln and Roosevelt completed inside two video games of one another. The Warriors ended up on prime for his or her first league title since 1962. This season ought to be a lot of the identical as Lincoln (Malachi Seely-Roberts, Moroni Seely-Roberts and Graham Eikenberry), Cleveland (Jackson Cooper and SC Tresvant) and Roosevelt (Utrillo Morris and Likelihood White) are stocked with returning all-PIL gamers. Benson and Jefferson can even be within the combine, and Grant shouldn’t be far behind after poaching head coach Dondrale Campbell from Cleveland. Anticipate loads of fireworks within the PIL this season. 

9. Wilsonville eyes one other 5A state title

Wilsonville overcame a sluggish begin in final season’s 5A ultimate to defeat Silverton for its fifth state championship underneath head coach Chris Roche. All-state guard Maxim Wu and all-Northwest Oregon Convention wing Kallen Gutridge headline a gaggle of returners that’s seeking to ship the Wildcats to their seventh consecutive state ultimate. It gained’t be straightforward, however Wilsonville has the items to do it. 

10. Is the Three Rivers nonetheless 6A’s deepest league?

Over the previous a number of years, the Three Rivers has constantly been the hardest league in 6A. That’s prone to be the case once more this winter because the TRL is crammed with high quality groups from prime to backside. West Linn has the state’s finest roster on paper whereas Lake Oswego and Tualatin are official contenders. Tigard has loads of expertise with star guards Kalim and Malik Brown, and Lakeridge and Oregon Metropolis are a lot improved. There will likely be no straightforward nights within the TRL this season.