PIL Player of the Year race
The PIL might be the best league in Oregon. With the two best teams (Jefferson and Grant) plus several other playoff teams, there is an abundance of talent and it’s likely that the PIL player of the year will be named the 6A player of the year. Kamaka Hepa, the best player in Oregon, was the preseason favorite for both awards, but it’s not going to be given to him. There are plenty of other talented players. Here are the players in the running, listed alphabetically.
Rowan Anderson, Cleveland senior
Anyone who does not play for Grant or Jefferson should be considered a dark horse candidate, but Anderson is terrific. At the PIL Showcase, he poured in 31 points. He can shoot the ball from just about anywhere in the half court and is a creative scorer. “Rowan is an outstanding player and a very dynamic scorer, can play the passing lanes very well and he steps up in big moments for his team,” coach Dondrale Campbell said.
Aaron Deloney, Grant junior
Deloney needs just one thing in order to score: the ball. He scores over 20 points most nights. He can score on pull-up jumpers and penetration, but also gets his equally capable teammates involved. Wings Ty Rankin and Damon Hickok and 6-foot-6 forward Darius Guinn could just as easily be on this list, as they’re also essential to the Generals’ success.
Kamaka Hepa, Jefferson senior
The top player on the top team in the state, Hepa committed to play his college ball as a Texas Longhorn. A 6-foot-10 athletic beast, Hepa started his season with two dunks in his first five minutes of play, against Benson. He is a valuable offensive weapon, especially down low, and can also block shots and rack up boards. In Jefferson’s first win over Grant, Hepa notched a triple-double.
Bostyn Holt, Roosevelt senior
Holt is your classic 6-foot-7 point guard. Except there is no such thing as a classic 6-foot-7 point guard; he’s an anomaly. Incredibly talented and, obviously, long, he fills up the stat sheet. He’s battled an injury and pneumonia, but has still been one of the top players in the league. “Bostyn is the type of player that can create something positive for his team on every possession, whether it be scoring the ball, playmaking, rebounding, blocking shots, pick and roll execution,” coach Yusuf Leary said.
Kelton Samore, Grant senior
Last year, Samore was named to the all-PIL first team and a 6A honorable mention. The 6-foot-9 power forward is one of the more highly-recruited players in Oregon and has received Division-I interest and offers, such as Brown University. Samore plays a key role as an inside presence on a Grant team loaded with perimeter talent.
Bryce Sloan, Lincoln senior
Sloan can handle the ball, shoot and score. Twice this year, he has scored the game-winning points in the final seconds of narrow victories. Last year he averaged 20 points and 5 assists per game; he holds Division II offers and has received some interest from Division I schools.
Marcus Tsohonis, Jefferson junior
In the biggest game of the year, Tsohonis scored 35 points, including a game-winner, in helping Jefferson beat Grant in overtime. Hepa might be the best player on Jefferson, but Tsohonis is the team’s most valuable scorer. He also racks up assists and boards, as well. As the top-ranked player in the Oregon class of 2019, he has an offer from Southern California and other PAC-12 interest.