5A Playoff First Round Predictions
The OSAA 5A Playoffs kick off on Friday and Saturday night and it’s a one game and you’re in situation. Here’s our best shot at predicting just who will advance to the state tournament at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. #16…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe OSAA 5A Playoffs kick off on Friday and Saturday night and it’s a one game and you’re in situation. Here’s our best shot at predicting just who will advance to the state tournament at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis.
#16 The Dalles at #1 Churchill
The Dalles didn’t get to finish out all of their games in the regular season due to the winter weather and enters the post-season having lost four of their last six games. That’s not a very good recipe for success against the top team in the state who hasn’t lost to a 5A opponent all year. Led by Silas Bennion and Brian Goracke, look for Churchill to jump out early and cruise to an easy win at home. Prediction: Churchill
#9 La Salle Prep at #8 Hood River Valley
Similar to their Intermountain Conference brethren, Hood River Valley missed some games late in the year. But the Eagles do enter the post-season having won nine games in a row. La Salle may be just as hot, with ten of their last eleven games in the victory column with their only loss to powerhouse Wilsonville. It’s tough to win on the road after a long drive but we think head coach Sean Christensen will have his squad ready and look for star senior guard Jace Norton to put up some points. Prediction: La Salle
#12 Corvallis at #5 Thurston (Saturday)
Corvallis stumbles into the playoffs having lost three of their last four games. Thurston the defending champs on the other hand has won its last five games that it has played. The Colts have the best inside/outside duo in the state in Isaac Lange and Mason Miller and while Spartans center Jasper Reinalda is vastly improved, it won’t be enough to surpass Thurston on the road in what will be senior night for them. Prediction: Thurston
#13 Central at #4 Willamette
Willamette has been one of the better stories in 5A this season as they are playing as good as anybody in the state right now. Central comes into the game doing alright but with an overall losing record it doesn’t seem to bode well for the Panthers – especially on the road. Look for star guard Owen Cross to put up a big game for Willamette in a win. Prediction: Willamette
#14 Springfield at #3 Silverton (Saturday)
Despite their seeding, Springfield is very dangerous – largely because of star forward Zach Brown. The athletic combo forward does damage on both ends of the floor and is very difficult to guard. Silverton however counters with a balanced lineup with two extremely tough guards in David Gonzales and Jonah Downey, and have a matchup nightmare of their own in Western Oregon football signee Levi Nielsen. When it comes down to it, Silverton has much more overall depth and they’re playing at home. Prediction: Silverton
#11 Putnam at #6 Crater
Putnam played tough in the Northwest Oregon Conference this year, beating the teams they were supposed to and also registering a big win over Parkrose late in the season. The Kingsmen haven’t seen the likes of Ryan Bittle though and the 6-foot-10 nationally ranked big man will be very difficult to contain. Crater also has one of the best point guards in 5A in Jayden Vranes, so despite the fact they have lost two of their last three games, look for the Comets to get back on the winning track in the first round. Prediction: Crater
#10 Pendleton at #7 Parkrose
The Buckaroos were the favorite to capture the IMC title but unfortunately due to having more cancellations than the other schools, had to settle for the #2 seed fro the league. Pendleton has one of the highest scoring duos in senior forward Tyler Newsom and junior guard Dakota Sams, but how will that translate against the athleticism of Parkrose? The Broncos have their own budding star in Damontae Burns and also have their own tough matchup in Travion Weiss along with some other key supporting cast members. Parkrose is a tough place to play and we think that head coach Donnell Morgan will have his guys ready to compete. Prediction: Parkrose
#15 Crescent Valley at #2 Wilsonville
Unfortunately this game may be the biggest mismatch on paper. All credit goes to Crescent Valley for making the post-season and the Raiders have won three of their last four games. But Wilsonville is a team on a mission after missing out on the championship last season and there’s no reason to think the Wildcats are going to look past anybody until they reach their goal. Wilsonville hasn’t lost a game in 2019 and behind star players like Jack Roche and Dakota Reber, there’s no reason to think their winning streak would end here. Prediction: Wilsonville