6A Playoffs First Round Predictions: “A” Quadrant
The 6A Playoffs kick off on Wednesday night with first round games and we will take our best shot at predicting just who will advance to the second round. We will start with the games in the “A” bracket. #32…
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Continue ReadingThe 6A Playoffs kick off on Wednesday night with first round games and we will take our best shot at predicting just who will advance to the second round. We will start with the games in the “A” bracket.
#32 Century at #1 Jesuit
After sweating out a game where they needed Liberty to lose in order to get in, Century is in the post-season. The reward for veteran head coach Scott Kellar? The first-seeded Crusaders, who despite coming off of a loss in the last game of the year to Westview, were dominant in Metro League play. Neither team has much size – Century has been guard-oriented all year long with senior Jospin Mugisha and junior Edy Essien leading the way, and Jesuit has been as well with Metro League MVP Matthew Levis and juniors Roy Bunn Roy Bunn 5'9" | PG Jesuit | 2021 State OR , James Lang James Lang 6'0" | CG Jesuit | 2021 State OR , and Liam Ruttledge. The difference is that the Jaguars may be much more dependent on if their outside shots are falling than the Crusaders – whereas Jesuit’s motion offense will simply pick apart defenses. It’s fantastic that Century makes the post-season but it should stop here with a double-digit Jesuit win.
Jed Prediction: Jesuit
Gene Potter’s group looks to defend their State Title on good footing.
Albert Prediction: Jesuit
The Crusaders remain an incredibly well-coached bunch, and should have no problem taking care of business at home in the first round.
Jackson Prediction: Jesuit
#17 Sheldon at #16 Summit
Sheldon has what most teams don’t – some size. Head coach Eric Orton has 6-foot-7 Nick Yakovich to man the middle and on the average the Irish measure about 6-foot-3 throughout their entire lineup. Where Sheldon does struggle at times is on the offensive side of the ball – something that’s not usually an issue with Summit. The Storm have one of the state’s leading scorers in Jacob Tompkins who has really been on a roll as of late. Summit is at home where they’ve only lost twice all year long. That should be the difference in this very evenly-matched game where Tompkins’ high-scoring ways come into play.
Jed Prediction: Summit
Summit comes off a commanding performance behind Jacob Tompkin’s school record 38 points and defend their court against Sheldon.
Albert Prediction: Summit
The offensive prowess of Jacob Tompkins should stand out against a solid defensive team in Sheldon. Expect the senior to make some big shots in a close one.
Jackson Prediction: Summit
#24 McNary and #9 West Linn
Funny fact – McNary was exactly at the same seed last season and ended up making the trip south to play South Eugene. This year they will head up I-5 to face West Linn and will try to right the ship as the Celtics have lost their last two games by a combined total of 63 points. Nathan Meithof Nathan Meithof 6'5" | SG McNary | 2021 State OR has put the team on his back all year long but the wear and tear of the season seems to have taken a toll. West Linn also comes into the game having dropped their last two but it’s hard to see them losing a third – especially two in a row at home. Teams coached by Erik Viuhkola simply don’t do that. Look for the Lions to bounce back with a victory and advance.
Jed Prediction: West Linn
After a loss to Lake Oswego, Micah Garrett and Jackson Shelstad Jackson Shelstad 6'0" | PG West Linn | 2023 State #55 Nation OR will rebound to start off State on a good note.
Albert Prediction: West Linn
Nathan Meithof Nathan Meithof 6'5" | SG McNary | 2021 State OR and the Celts will make it close for a half, but West Linn’s depth should run away with this one late.
Jackson Prediction: West Linn
#25 Tualatin at #8 Mountainside
Mountainside is ecstatic at making their first-ever playoff appearance in school history but the Mavs aren’t satisfied with just that. Coming into The Stables will be Tualatin, a hard-nosed, battle-tested team very much represented by their standout, John Miller. What the Timberwolves don’t quite have though is the size and depth that Mountainside features as head coach Dustin Hewitt can easily go nine deep and the Mavs has the size to pound the boards better than most teams in 6A. This will be a closer game than the seeds indicate but Mountainside should advance.
Jed Prediction: Mountainside
Although Mountainside is amongst their toddler stage in their program history, their fans and home court advantage look tough for Tualatin.
Albert Prediction: Mountainside
The Wolves will make this one closer than seeding would suggest, but Mountainside’s home crowd will be an x-factor.
Jackson Prediction: Mountainside