Small School Elite 8: Week of January 1st
Today we debut a new weekly feature where we take a crack at a Small School Power Rankings of Oregon’s Class 1a-4a schools. The poll will drop each Monday during the rest of the season and will attempt to identify the Elite 8 small schools regardless of class. Overall records, opponents played and beaten, as well as recent results will be the major criteria for determining our rankings.
- 1. Seaside (4A) 9-2 Last Week: Defeated 6A South Eugene, 6A Bend, & 5A Thurston
Despite a couple of early set backs, the Seagulls seem to have righted themselves and are playing very well the last two weeks. When engaged, they are the clear favorite to 3 peat at the 4A level. 2020 wing Ryan Hague and 2019 guard Chase Januik lead the way in the Summit Tournament.
2. Columbia Christian (2A) 10-2 Last Week: Defeated 6A Barlow, 6A Southridge. Lost to National Top 50 Gonzaga Prep & 6A Grant.
Behind the play of 2021 super soph Ben Gregg, the Knights put on an impressive showing at the Les Schwab Invitational. Fellow sophomore wing Elijah Munyan also showed flashes of becoming a dominant player. Looking at the schedule, it would appear that Columbia should go rather unchallenged the rest of their league schedule.
3. Banks (4A) 12-1 Last Week: Defeated 4A Marist, 4A Henley, & 4A Sisters
The Braves, the #1 ranked 4A team in the OSAA computer rankings defeated three likely 4A playoff teams on the way to the title of the Sisters Tournament. 2020 wing Jacob Slifka has lead the way for Banks which returns several key pieces from last year state semifinal group.
4. Delasalle (3A) 6-3 Last Week: Defeated Glacier Peak. Lost to Mariner (Both Washington schools that would be 6A in Oregon)
The Knights sit at 6-3 but that’s a little misleading as 7 of their 9 games have come against Oregon 6A programs (or Washington equivalents). In a pre Christmas game versus Westview, junior wing George Sadi exploded for 44 points as Delasalle easily defeated the established 6A school. League play won’t be so easy for Coach Broadus’ squad as they face arguably the toughest league schedule of anyone in 3A.
5. Santiam Christian (3A) 11-1 Last Week: Beat 4A Hidden Valley, 3A Westside Christian, & 5A Crater.
The Eagles would have been at least a spot higher on our initial power ranking if not for a pre Christmas toe stub at Dayton. The most impressive win on the resume was last week’s defeat of Crater which features Nathan Bittle, a player ranked in the Top 20 of every 2021 national player rankings. Zach Baugher, Josh Baugher, and Koby Williamson have lead the way thus far for Santiam which opens league play this Thursday against Harrisburg.
6. Western Christian (2A) 9-1 Last Week: Hasn’t Played Since December 22nd.
Some solid wins on the season for the former Western Mennonite, but blew a huge halftime lead to Santiam Christian in what would have been their biggest resume building win. Junior wing Payton Richardson has lead the way thus far for the Pioneers.
7. Marshfield (4A) 6-3 Last Week: Defeated 4A Newport.
The Pirates one of the teams regularly mentioned with the best change of challenging Seaside for the 4A state title easily defeated Newport in their first game back from a pre Christmas Alaska trip which saw them compete well while going 1-2 against big schools. 6’7 senior forward Grant Webster has lead the way thus far for the Pirates.
8. Toledo (2A) 11-0 Last Week: Defeated 3A Harrisburg, Central Linn, & 3A Taft.
The Boomers rolled to 3 easy victories last week to win the Taft Holiday Tournament. They get the last spot in our initial poll based on their impressive start, but their status is shaky as their overall schedule this far has been soft to say the least. Their MLK Day matchup with Dayton should be their only test until the state tournament in Pendleton. Junior guard Conner Marchant and sophomore post Jaxon Rozewski have fueled the fast start with Marchant averaging over 35 points a game.
On The Bubble: Dayton (3A); Sweet Home (4A); Oakland (2A); Prairie City (1A); Amity (3A)