Class 4A State Quarterfinal Preview
The Oregon class 4A state tournament opens up quarterfinal play today at Pacific University in Forest Grove. Prep Hoops will be on the scene covering all today’s action. Before hand, we get you ready for Elite 8 with our game…
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Continue ReadingThe Oregon class 4A state tournament opens up quarterfinal play today at Pacific University in Forest Grove. Prep Hoops will be on the scene covering all today’s action. Before hand, we get you ready for Elite 8 with our game previews, players to watch, & game predictions.
Banks (24-3) vs Marist (17-8)
The Braves who have been at or near the top of the rankings all season head to the state tournament after defeating Newport in the round of 16. Banks’ three losses have come to Pendleton (5A state tournament) & twice to Seaside in Cowapa League play. They are lead by senior post Blake Gobel, a skilled & athletic 6’8 big man who recently committed to play football at Eastern Washington. Jacob Slifka, a sharp shooting 6’4 wing is the other primary scorer for Banks. Marist makes the state tournament in their first year back at class 4A, got here by making the 7 hour road trip to defeat Baker in the first round. Leading the Spartans are a pair of talented guards in junior Nick Stice & senior Max Whittaker.
Prediction: Many believe that Banks was the best team in 4A last season & would have won the state title if not a gruesome injury to star wing Dalton Renne just a minute in to the state semifinal game. They appear to be on a mission & have thrived with a physical defensive mindset. Marist is making the most of an classification drop this year. At the end of the day, Banks is on a mission & has proven themselves to be too tough to score on regularly. We expect the Braves to pull away in the second half for a double digit victory.
Marshfield (21-5) vs Woodburn (21-4)
On paper, the 4 vs 5 match up looks to be the closest one of the day. The Pirates who have been regulars at the state tournament in recent years, look to get past the quarterfinals after years of heartbreak in this round. Woodburn on the other hand is in the Elite 8 for the first time since 2011 and first time in class 4A. Marshfield features a pair of quality big men in 6’7 Corey Stover, an Oregon State football commit & 6’7 Grant Webster, a skilled big man who is attracting college interest. Senior Jordy Miles, the coaches’ son provides a calming influence in the back court. Woodburn is lead by 6’2 senior guard RJ Veliz, a transfer from Blanchet who went over 2000 career points this season & is attracting significant college interest at the NAIA & D2 level.
Prediction: We expect this game to be the most competitive of the day, but think that Marshfield’s size & state tournament experience will be just enough to sneak by Woodburn in a game that goes down to the final minutes.
Stayton (20-3) vs Henley (17-7)
The Eagles return to the quarterfinals for the first time in nearly a decade & do so behind the play of 4A’s best post tandem. 6’8 left Kaleb Adundi & 6’7 Riley Nichol have been dominant at times this season in leading Stayton to a league title and a December victory over two time state champion Seaside. Henley is back at the state tourney after missing last season & rides the play of all league senior guard Andrew Reynolds & junior post Matthew Neubert who plays bigger than his 6’4 roster listing.
Predictions: Stayton’s talented post duo will prove too much for the Hornets as they advance to the semifinals.
Seaside (22-3) vs North Marion (16-9)
Seaside shook off rust from a two week break to beat a scrappy Sisters team to advance, while North Marion impressed by defeating Valley Catholic in rather convincing fashion. The Seagulls enter the quarterfinals with a huge target on their backs as the two time defending state champ who return practically their entire roster from last seasons title team. They are lead by three year starting guards Chase Januik & Payton Westerholm, but hard nosed 6’1 combo guards. Junior Ryan Hague has emerged as an explosive scoring option for Seaside. North Marion’s record is deceiving, as they played a super tough schedule, including a narrow 58-57 loss to Seaside in January. The Huskies are lead by talented junior guard Sergio Jiminez and senior wing Jared Houser.
Prediction: North Marion has proven themselves to be worthy of a state tournament spot, but Seaside is on a mission to make history & we don’t see the Huskies stopping that. Expect a closely contested game & for Seaside to pull away late behind their senior experience.