Way-Too-Early Top Eight 6A State Contenders for 2020-21
The start of the 2020-21 season is several months away, but we can’t resist at already looking ahead to next year. Granted, like every other off-season, there will be much movement when it comes to players when it comes to…
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Continue ReadingThe start of the 2020-21 season is several months away, but we can’t resist at already looking ahead to next year. Granted, like every other off-season, there will be much movement when it comes to players when it comes to things such as eligibility and especially transfer. But based on the players that are projected to be coming back and in some cases, coming up from the JV and freshman levels, these are the eight teams we see as the top contenders for making the 6A state tournament next season.
1. Jefferson
It’s hard not to envision the Demos not being the pre-season number one team – Jefferson was considered by many to be the favorite to win state this year and with no seniors on the team, everyone is projected to be back for head coach Pat Strickland. Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge 6'7" | PF Jefferson | 2021 #228 Nation OR , Kamron Robinson Kamron Robinson 6'8" | C Jefferson | 2020 NV , and Keshawn Hall Keshawn Hall 6'0" | PG Lake Oswego | 2021 OR will be seniors, Lamar Washington Lamar Washington 6'4" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State #128 Nation AZ a junior, and Marquis Cook Marquis Cook 6'6" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #6 Nation AZ a sophomore and all five guys should be fired up to claim what they believe was lost this past season.
2. Clackamas
Jefferson wasn’t the only team at state to feature a starting lineup without seniors as Clackamas was right there as well. Led by superstar forward Ben Gregg Ben Gregg 6'8" | SF Clackamas | 2021 #50 Nation OR , head coach Cameron Mitchell also has Ryan Lewis, Damon Erickson, KJ Horsley KJ Horsley 5'10" | PG Clackamas | 2021 State OR , and Izzy Baker back in the fold and some younger players like Jackson Jaha and Michael Vorobets Michael Vorobets 6'1" | CG Clackamas | 2021 State OR will have even bigger roles off of the bench.
3. Central Catholic
Central Catholic and head coach David Blue loses some key seniors in DeRay Seamster DeRay Seamster 6'1" | CG Central Catholic | 2020 State OR and Isaiah Amato Isaiah Amato 6'5" | CG Central Catholic | 2020 State OR from their lineup but has plenty of players returning to be considered a major title contender. Darius Gakwasi Darius Gakwasi 6'5" | SG Central Catholic | 2021 State OR will be a four-year starter and younger players such as Luke Johnson Luke Johnson 6'8" | PF Central Catholic | 2022 WV and Jordan King Jordan King 6'3" | SF Central Catholic | 2022 State OR really stepped up with their games in 2019-20. Some newcomers from the loaded JV/freshmen teams to watch include Graham Eikenberry Graham Eikenberry 6'10" | PF St Andrew’s RI | 2023 State OR and Sean Chris Tresvant Sean Chris Tresvant 5'11" | PG Cleveland | 2023 State OR .
4. Jesuit
Gone will be Metro League Player of the Year Matthew Levis Matthew Levis 5'11" | CG Jesuit | 2020 State OR but don’t shed any tears for head coach Gene Potter as he will have the trio of 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 Liam Ruttledge 6'2" | CG Jesuit | 2021 State OR will be returning for their senior season. Michael Brittingham Michael Brittingham 5'10" | PG Jesuit | 2021 State OR and Spencer McKelligon should be able to advance to increased roles and the Crusaders program has plenty of guys in the program who should be prepared to move up to the varsity level – including some size with Mack Wall and Dapre Gaston.
5. Tigard
Head coach Shawn Alderman relied heavily on younger players this past season with some mixed results but it should really pay off in 2019-20. Leading the way is Drew Carter Drew Carter 6'3" | SG Tigard | 2021 OR and arguably the state’s top all-around athlete could contend for 6A Player of the Year honors. He’ll have plenty of support with fellow senior Brett Moss Brett Moss 6'4" | SG Tigard | 2021 State OR also on the wing and twin sophomores Malik Brown Malik Brown 6'0" | PG Tigard | 2023 State OR and Kalim Brown Kalim Brown 6'0" | CG Tigard | 2023 State OR got loads of experience this year.
6. Westview
The Wildcats have a good group moving on led by Wayne Jamison Wayne Jamison 6'1" | CG Westview | 2020 State OR and London Smalley London Smalley 6'1" | CG Westview | 2020 State OR , but head coach Michael Wolf has some critical guys back in the fold at practically every position. In particular Westview will have size and athleticism with the likes of Aiden Grady, Jalen Grable Jalen Grable 6'3" | SF Westview | 2021 OR , and Brady Grier Brady Grier 6'5" | SF Westview | 2021 State OR set for big senior seasons. The key may be who replaces Smalley at point guard but the program is deep and there will be many candidates.
7. Grant
Grant is a program that is deep with talent and head coach Robert Key has done a good job of keeping guys staying the course in the system. Leading the returnees is Adrian Mosley Adrian Mosley 6'2" | SF West Linn | 2023 State #269 Nation OR who really had one of the best freshman seasons in the state. Max Von Arx Max Von Arx 6'5" | PF Grant | 2022 State OR has been a two-year starter, Jae’sean Pete Jae’sean Pete 5'9" | CG Grant | 2022 State OR is experienced, and younger players such as Luke Winkler Luke Winkler 5'10" | CG Grant | 2021 State OR , Andre Lawrence, and Chili (Donald Stephens, Jr.) will be ready to move up the chain.
8. McNary
Head coach Ryan Kirch saw his team go through plenty of ups and downs this past year but the experience gained by his young team is nothing but positive for the future. Nathan Meithof Nathan Meithof 6'5" | SG McNary | 2021 State OR is one of the state’s top forces and as a senior he could really dominate. Kyler Rodriguez and Jando Gonzalez will return in the backcourt as eight of the Celtics’ top ten scorers are back for 2019-20.