Players to watch at Oregon 5A boys basketball state tournament
By Bob Lundeberg
The OSAA 5A boys basketball state tournament begins Wednesday at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Here's a look at some of the top players to watch at the event.
BRACKET
Maxim Wu (Wilsonville) photo by Leon Neuschwander
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Devon Anderson, sr., North Eugene
An Idaho State football signee, Anderson is also a standout on the basketball court. He had 13 points, three assists and three steals in the state round-of-16 win over Bend and averages 7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Joey Banry, jr., North Eugene
Banry shined in North Eugene’s victory over Bend, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. The junior guard averages 13.1 points and 3.5 assists.
Pearson Carmichael, jr., Summit
The 6-foot-7 Carmichael is one of the toughest matchups in Class 5A. The Boise State commit is averaging 23.5 points and 9.2 rebounds as a junior while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range, 65 percent from inside the arc and 82 percent from the line. He was voted Intermountain player of the year.
Kyle Counts, jr., Wilsonville
Counts missed time because of injuries but averaged 14.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He is the grandson of former NBA player Mel Counts, whose No. 21 jersey is retired at Oregon State.
Kallen Gutridge, jr., Wilsonville
A second-team all-state quarterback, Gutridge might be even better on the basketball court. He led the Northwest Oregon Conference in scoring (21.5 points per game) and averaged 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals.
Nathan Hoisington, sr., Mountain View
A second-team all-Intermountain pick, Hoisington is a senior forward who can score and defend. He is averaging 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Colton Horner, jr., Redmond
Redmond’s biggest threat from 3-point land, Horner is shooting 39 percent from long range on 6.3 attempts per game. The junior was voted second-team all-Intermountain and averages 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals.
Tanner Jones, sr., Redmond
The first-team all-Intermountain selection scored a team-high 22 points in Redmond’s 63-53 round-of-16 victory over South Albany. Jones, a senior guard, averages 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals.
Spencer Karsseboom, sr., Woodburn
Karsseboom is a 6-foot-3 wing who averages a team-high 12.3 points per game. The first-team all-Mid-Willamette pick also averages 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals.
Rocco McClave, jr., Crescent Valley
McClave set single-game state records for passing yards (654) and touchdowns (10) in the fall against Dallas, and the junior has also been a star on the basketball court this winter. McClave, a second-team all-Mid-Willamette basketball pick, averages 11 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Collin Moore, jr., Summit
Moore, a state champion high jumper, is a deadly shooter who hits 3-pointers at a 46 percent clip. The junior guard averages 9.4 points. 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He was voted first-team all-Intermountain.
Finbar O’Brien, sr., La Salle Prep
O’Brien is the perfect running mate for star guard Nick Robertson. The senior averages 14 points and seven rebounds.
Evan Otten, sr., Redmond
Otten suffered a broken wrist early in Intermountain play but returned to the court just in time for the stretch run. The 6-foot-10 center was still voted first-team all-conference and will play college basketball for Oregon Tech. He averages 15.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
Nick Robertson, sr., La Salle Prep
The lone junior voted first-team all-state a season ago, Robertson is one of the most dangerous scorers in 5A. The senior is averaging 21 points and nine rebounds.
Liam Slattum, jr., Woodburn
The 6-foot-8 Slattum averages 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, one assist and 3.1 blocks. He was voted second-team all-Mid-Willamette.
Miguel Taylor, jr., Summit
Taylor has great size at 6-foot-7 and is a problem at both ends of the court. The junior received all-Intermountain honorable mention and averages 7.8 points and 3.1 assists.
Adam Temesgen, sr., Crescent Valley
Temesgen shined down the stretch of the Raiders’ 59-57 win over Churchill in the round-of-16. The first-team all-Mid-Willamette pick scored 20 points against the Lancers and is averaging 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Quincy Townsend, jr., Mountain View
Townsend, a first-team all-Intermountain selection, carried the Cougars with 37 points in the team’s round-of-16 win over Ashland. The junior guard is 5A’s leading scorer at 24.1 points per game. He also averages 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
Cruz Veliz, so., Woodburn
A first-team all-Mid-Willamette pick, Veliz is a strong two-way player as a sophomore. He averages 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 4.1 steals.
Maxim Wu, sr., Wilsonville
Wu was a second-team all-state selection last season as Wilsonville won its fifth state title. He averages 13.7 points and 3.8 assists.
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PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Northwest Oregon | Midwestern | Mid-Willamette | Intermountain
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