Class 6A Preseason League Preview: Portland Interscholastic League (PIL)
Our preseason tour moves on to the Portland Interscholastic League (PIL), historically the most talented league in the state (currently multiple NBA players) and this year should be no different.
2016-17 Review:
Jefferson ran the table in league with a perfect 16-0 record on their way to a 27-1 mark and their first ever 6A state title. Grant also advanced to the final 8 before losing to Jefferson for the first time this season. Electric combo guard Geno West was named league player of the year before signing a D1 scholarship with Idaho where he’s currently earning minutes as a frosh.
State Title Threat:
Jefferson – The Demos will be the consensus #1 ranked team to begin the season and are also garnering Top 25 national recognition in a variety of preseason polls. Leading the way for Pat Strickland‘s squad is 6’10 forward Kamaka Hepa, a highly skilled big man who is ranked in the Top 50 of every major national ranking. The Alaska transplant recently pledged to play for Texas and Shaka Smart. Jefferson also features steady 2019 combo guard Marcus Tshonis, our #1 ranked junior who possesses multiple D1 offers and 6’9 post Khalil Chapman, a rim protector and rebounder who recently transferred from PIL foe Franklin. Chatman was recently ruled eligible by the OSAA and has commited to play for Detroit next season. Also returning for Jeff is defensive minded senior guard Robert Ford.
Standing in the way for a league and state title is likely to be Jefferson’s north Portland neighbor, the Grant Generals coached by Robert Key. The Generals are lead by 6’8 forward Kelton Samore, a skilled player who has 8+ D1 offers that he’s deciding among. Joining Samore is a pair of talented 2019 guards in Ty Rankin and Aaron Deloney who complement each other very well. Damon “Froggy” Hickok and Darius Guinn are athletic seniors with large amounts of varsity experience on their resume.
Potential Top 10:
Lincoln – The Cardinals return some key pieces from a team that played West Linn tough last season in the round of 16. Leading the way is 6’4 guard Bryce Sloan who possesses multiple D2 offers. Sloan is one of the more efficient players in the state and is the guy who makes Lincoln go. Also on the perimeter is senior guard Rasheed Butler, a capable scorer. Manning the inside is 6’6 post Aidan Anastas a solid rebounder and above average post scorer. The Cardinals will likely have to win a game on the road to get to the Chiles Center, but Sloan and company have the ability to score enough to get there.
Play With Most:
Roosevelt – The Roughriders enter the season with a first year head coach in Yusef Leary, who inherits a roster with some talented perimeter players. Leading the way is combo guard Bostyn Holt, a rapidly improving player who is growing in to his 6’5 frame and length. Other standouts in the back court are a pair of 2018 guards Daevion Kimbrough and Maxwell Jackson. 6’3 sophomore forward Malik Kelley is a glue guy that does a little bit of everything well. Roosevelt possesses the athleticism and perimeter players to be a tough out come playoff time.
Cleveland – The Warriors also start the season with a first year head coach in Dondrale Campbell. He enters his debut season on the bench with one of the best floor leaders in the state in 5’11 left Rowan Anderson. Anderson is equally capable of putting up huge numbers or getting teammates involved in the offense. 6’4 senior forward Sethon Moore provides a athletic presence along the front line. Without question point guard has emerged as the most important position on the floor, and Cleveland has a guy with the basketball IQ to keep them in just about every game they play.
In Transition:
Madison – According to longtime head coach Chuck Matthews, the Senators should be a work in progress as they try to replace graduated point guard Myles Fitgerald who has since moved on to play at Fresno State. Leading the way is expected to be senior wing Michael Bennett who Matthews believes has the ability to play at the next level. Also returning is senior Thamar Ott. Matthews expects senior post Majeeb Rufai to anchor the middle as the rest of his crew gets up to speed.
Franklin & Wilson both welcome new head coaches as they attempt to reach the top half of the league and Benson is expected to struggle again as enrollment changes implemented a few years ago have seen most of the normal athletes leave Benson for other city schools.
League Prediction:
- Jefferson
- Grant
- Lincoln
- Roosevelt
- Cleveland
- Madison
- Wilson
- Franklin
- Benson
New Faces on the Sidelines:
Dondrale Campbell – Cleveland – Formerly an assistant coach at Lake Oswego
Scott Aker – Franklin – Formerly the head coach at Wilson
Yusef Leary – Roosevelt – Formerly an assistant at Roosevelt
Craig Cokely – Wilson – Formerly the head coach at Cleveland
Player of the Year:
Even in a league like the PIL which has placed numerous alums in the NBA, a talent like Hepa comes around once a decade or so. He’s the overwhelming favorite for league and state player of the year.
Others to Watch: Bryce Sloan, Lincoln; Rowan Anderson Cleveland
Newcomer/Sleeper of the Year:
Although he isn’t new to the league, he is new to Jefferson. When the OSAA ruled recently that Khalil Chapman was eligible to play at Jefferson, the Demos became nearly unbeatable. The 6’8 post is an active defender and rebounder who can impact a game without scoring very many points. He gives the Demos two legitimate bigs that can match up with the nationally ranked teams that Jefferson will face this season.
Best Point/Best Wing/Best Post
Point Guard: Bryce Sloan – Lincoln HS
Wing: Bostyn Holt – Roosevelt HS
Post: Kamaka Hepa – Jefferson HS