Stretch Run of 6A Playoff Race
As we enter in the final stretch run of the regular season, teams in 6A are trying to either earn one of the 32 automatic or at-large qualifying bids or improve their standing in the OSAA ratings to secure at…
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Continue ReadingAs we enter in the final stretch run of the regular season, teams in 6A are trying to either earn one of the 32 automatic or at-large qualifying bids or improve their standing in the OSAA ratings to secure at least one (top 16) or two (top 8) home games before the state tournament.
All bids will be locked in on February 29th. Here’s a quick look at the current league and playoff races (number of projected bids per league in parenthesis):
PIL (3)
Jefferson locked up the league title with a win over Franklin on Tuesday night and the Demos appear to be locked into one of the top four seeds in the state. At this point third place will be between Franklin and Cleveland – both sport 9-5 records – and it will likely be determined next Tuesday night at Cleveland when the SE Portland rivals go head-to-head. At this point, the loser of that game and Roosevelt have an outside shot at getting in as an at-large team but both of their ratings are hovering around #32 and that may not be enough.
Metro League (5)
Jesuit locked up another Metro League title on Tuesday night with a win over Aloha. The race for second appears to be between Mountainside and Westview and both teams are in good position to finish in the top 16 overall with Mountainside (currently at 9) a chance at a top 8 ranking. Beaverton (16) and Sunset (21) are also looking good for the post-season but it looks like Aloha (34) will be just outside.
Pacific Conference (3)
Sherwood won the Pacific Conference on Tuesday night and is on a roll. Newberg is in a good position to capture second and even with a total collapse will finish in the top three. The battle for third and the final playoff spot from the league will be between Century, Forest Grove, and Liberty. The three teams will play each other this final week and a half with that post-season berth on the line.
Mt Hood Conference (6)
The league title will be between Barlow and Clackamas and while both teams have their last two games at home, the Bruins hold the one game lead in the standings and have been arguably the hottest team in the state. Central Catholic is primed to finish third (even without injured senior Isaiah Amato, who will be sidelined the rest of the season with a foot injury) and despite their place in the standings, currently holds the #2 overall rank in 6A. David Douglas and Gresham look good for the post-season and Sandy (at #30) looks like they will sneak in.
Three Rivers League (6)
The TRL title is Lake Oswego’s to lose with a two-game lead over West Linn, but it won’t be easy for the Lakers as they play all of their three games left on the road against Tigard, Canby, and West Linn. Win all three and you can expect head coach Marshall Cho’s team to earn a top 8 ranking. West Linn has an outside shot at the title and some wins would preserve their top 8 seeding (currently at #6) and the same could be said for Tigard (#7). Canby and Tualatin look to be in, as does Oregon City (#23) despite their current 2-7 league record.
Mountain Valley Conference (5)
Barring a complete collapse, South Salem has the MVC championship locked in as well as potentially a top 4 seed in the playoffs. McNary and Summit appear to be in good spots to finish either second or third and both have a shot at getting a top 16 seed and a first round home game if they win out. West Salem (#27) and Mountain View (#29) look like they are also into the post-season. Sprague (#35) is currently on the outside looking in and their chances of making it are remote, but the Olympians remaining games are vs. Summit, McNary, and Mountain View and if they win out, they very well could sneak in.
Southwest Conference (4)
A big game on Friday at North Medford will be key in determining who wins the SWC but South Eugene has the edge with a current two-game lead on the Black Tornado. Sheldon is also a darkhorse candidate. In any event, all three teams are locks for the playoffs and South Eugene even has an outside chance at a top 8 seed if they win out. Grants Pass is looking pretty secure at #24 to make it in as well.