Culmination Week: Finals Predictions
In this article:
Culmination Week concludes on Thursday and for all intents and purposes, the 2021 season will come to a close (barring any late minute announcements). Here’s a quick look at how we see the final games of each bracket will turn out.
Red Bracket
Beaverton over Grant
Beaverton ran roughshod over Sherwood while Grant gutted out a solid double-digit win over Tualatin in the semis. With the exception of Grant’s loss to rival Jefferson, both teams come in as arguably the hottest squads in 6A. The Beavers have gotten it done by frustrating opponents with their zone defense and the inside play of Dane Erikstrup Dane Erikstrup 6'10" | C Beaverton | 2021 State OR , while the Generals have been killing others with their pinpoint passing and ball movement on the offensive end. The difference in styles won’t be as apparent in this game and defensively both teams will likely trot out their zone defenses. This game will be as competitive as it gets and expect a dogfight. In the end, the Beavers have the talented big man in Erikstrup and we feel he’s going to be the difference maker for a Beaverton win.
Blue Bracket
Jefferson over Clackamas
With these two teams you are talking about the pre-season #1 and #2 squads going into the season so it seems like good karma they meet here. The Democrats easily dispatched of Mountainside in their semi, riding the backs of stars Lamar Washington Lamar Washington 6'4" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State #128 Nation AZ and Marquis Cook Marquis Cook 6'6" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #6 Nation AZ but also getting some timely contributions from Brandon Hopson Brandon Hopson 6'0" | PG Jefferson | 2021 State OR and Trejon Williams Trejon Williams 5'11" | PG Jefferson | 2022 OR . Clackamas gritted out a hard-earned victory over Jesuit in overtime, as usual getting contributions from all of their experienced seniors and junior Jackson Jaha Jackson Jaha 6'1" | SG Clackamas | 2022 State OR . Can the committee outshine the stars in this final? It’s going to be a very tough and physical game for sure. Clackamas will need to really try to control the boards and do their best job defensively on Washington and Cook. But in the end, it seems that the star power may end up being the difference and we’re picking the Demos to finally pull it out in the end in a fairly close game.
Green Bracket
Westview over Wells
It’s been an up and down year for the Wildcats but things are coming together here late for head coach Mike Wolf and his crew. Wells has had an outstanding year and head coach Craig Cokely has really seen their young players step into the spotlight and shine. As great as the Guardians young guards are in Nick Digiulio Nick Digiulio 5'9" | PG West Linn | 2024 State OR and Jacey Canalin are, Wells lacks size to combat the likes of Wildcats seniors Aiden Grady Aiden Grady 6'7" | PF Westview | 2021 State OR and Brady Grier Brady Grier 6'5" | SF Westview | 2021 State OR . And especially without Leo Sewell Leo Sewell 5'9" | PG Wilson | 2022 State OR available to play, it’s hard to see Wells matching up with Westview in this one. Wildcats win by double digits.
Black Bracket
Tigard over Sunset
Both Sunset and Tigard haven’t been particularly challenged in the Black Bracket and have easily cruised to the finals. The teams met earlier in the year at Sunset with the Apollos coming out with the 71-67 win. This time though it’s on the Tigers turf where they have been riding a four-game winning streak. It will be the seniors last game at Tigard which adds extra emotion to things and look for that to be the difference for the Tigers capturing the Black Bracket title.