One of the hardest competitions in the state is always the Portland Interscholastic League. Roosevelt is retooled and appears to be among the best teams in the state once more following a spectacular 2023–24 campaign.
The PIL’s teams are shown here, arranged alphabetically:
Benson Astros
Season last: 6–17
Earl Clark is the coach.
Important participants: Richad Hudson, G, SO; Jaelyn Parnell-Patton, W, FR; Dreison Niko, W, FR; Robert Acelar, G, JR
Outlook: With the new school’s construction being finished, the Astros will play in their own building for the first time in three seasons this season. Despite Benson’s youth this season, the PIL offers the young players a great opportunity to test themselves. This season, the Astros will start three freshmen, led by Dreison Niko, in their rotation because they don’t have any seniors. According to assistant coach Page Mesher, he is expected to rank among the best rookies in Oregon. will be a starter, and this year we anticipate an average of double figures.
Cleveland
Warriors
Season last: 14–12
Coach: Sam Glasgow
Important players: Brady Ryan, G/F, SR; Finn Cooper, F, SR
Outlook: With a number of transfers and graduations this winter, Glasgow stated that the Warriors are as green as they have been in recent memory. Cooper is the only returning starter for the team and was named to the All-League Honorable Mention team as a junior. Last season, Ryan had several incredible moments and was a mainstay in the rotation. He took over as the squad’s leading scorer, defender, and team leader this offseason, according to Glasgow. Glasgow said that the coaching staff is thrilled to watch the team put in a lot of effort and get better every day this season.
Franklin Lightning
Season last: 8-16
Coach: Marc Grassman
Important participants: Emiliano Lazcano-Villanueva, G/F, SO; Zach Smith, G/F, SR; Shea McKenzie, F, SR
Outlook: According to Grassman, this club performs best when it uses agility and pressure defense to generate high percentage scoring opportunities during transitions. Fortunately, Franklin is not little. Both McKenzie, a transfer from Central Catholic, and Lazcano-Villanueva are 6-foot-4, while Smith, another Lightning star, is 6-foot-2. Early in the season, Grassman wants to see discipline in the halfcourt on offense and a steady defensive effort that can elevate their defense to an exceptional level. McKenzie, who can score at all three levels, according to Grassman, should help with that goal.
Grant Generals
Season last: 20-9
Sean Brownhill is the coach.
Important participants: Varryk Hardges, G, SO; Keone Gates, G, SO; Keion James, G/F, JR; Mekhi Muhammad, G, SR; Zhalei Van, G, SR; Quincy Scott, G/F, SR
Prospects: After struggling to a 3-5 start the previous season, the Generals unexpectedly rose to prominence as one of the state’s top stories. Before defeating Liberty in the second round of the playoffs, Grant dominated the PIL slate and finished second in league play behind Roosevelt. Although there is a compelling argument for Grant as this season’s PIL favorite and possibly even a state title candidate, Roosevelt did ultimately end the Generals’ run with a thrilling victory in the quarterfinals. Almost all of the contributors from the previous season are still available as Brownhill and his team begin the second season. Regarding what appears to be one of Class 6A’s deepest rosters, Brownhill stated, “On any given night, a different guy can be our leading scorer.”
Wells Guardians
Season last: August 17
Max Trezise is the coach.
Important participants: Mo Carter, F, SO; Spencer Reid, F, SR; Blake Karmin, G, SO; and Aiden Alanis, G, SR Ahamd Surur, G, JR; Grant Clemo, C, SR; Ayub Mohamed, F, SR; Cam Hammer, G, SR; Suhel Mohamed; Alexander Lynch, F, SR; Max Scherzer, F, SR; Sufyan Carter, G, FR; Elliot Matthrews, G, SR
Outlook: Trezise is exceeding expectations in his first season as head coach. He remarked, “I truly feel like this is the start of something special at IBW.” Our goal is to be among the top basketball programs in the entire state of Oregon. I know what it takes to achieve and what these athletes must do to win because I grew up in Portland and played for Central Catholic. The Guardians intend to highlight their team’s strength. With nine seniors on the team, the coach thinks they should have a competitive edge because they may have a different top scorer in each game.
Jefferson Democrats
Season last: 15–10
Robert Smaller, coach
Important participants: W/F, SR, Jehiel Brown; D Dent, G., SR. Ryus
Outlook: In an attempt to reestablish Jefferson as a PIL power, Smaller, who took over the Democrats program last summer, will initially face a difficult task. Although the Democrats added transfers of their own in Brown from Roosevelt, Grant’s Christian Crumble, Central Catholic’s Jaamir Roberson, and Milwaukie’s Qai Gresham, the roster’s composition has changed significantly from a season prior due to graduations and transfers. Smaller is happy with his group’s current situation despite the changeover, which will be accelerated by Brown and Dent’s play.
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Lincoln Cardinals
Season last: 14–12
Coach: Seely-Roberts, Heather
Important participants: Thomas Carney, G/W, JR; Miles Novy-Hildesley, C, JR
Outlook: The Cardinals will be replacing the majority of their varsity production and minutes for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Seely-Roberts program demonstrated its ability to become a tough out; in order to remain in the PIL competition this season, it will need to make comparable strides. Seely-Roberts stated that although we lack experience, we have a lot of potential and should get better throughout the course of the season. The students on the team are incredibly athletic, put a lot of effort into their training, and buy into what we do. There will be a lot of up-and-down, hopefully enjoyable basketball. Lincoln, which has a tendency to push things through the post under Seely-Roberts, is anticipated to be anchored by Novy-Hildesley.
McDaniel Mountain Lions
Season last: 1–24
Argon Boone is the coach.
Important participants:Coach didn’t answer the question.
Outlook: The coach did not reply to the question.
Roosevelt Roughriders
Season last: 26-3
Jamarr Lawson is the coach.
Important participants: Adrian Montague, G, JR; Syrius Owens, F, JR; Owen Nathan, G, SR
Prospects: Roosevelt’s incredible 2024 season and state championship berth revitalized the Roughriders program and drew large crowds to the city. This year’s encore is intriguing because a number of important faces have graduated. After excelling in pivotal positions a year ago, Nathan and Owens are back. Notably, Montague, a Jefferson transfer who the coaches considers to be among the best guards on the West Coast, will join them. The team, which has a good chance of defending their PIL title, plays quickly, concentrating on transition and three-point shooting opportunities, and employing a persistent, switch-heavy defense, according to assistant coach Ben Teese.
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