The Oregonian/OregonLive conducted an in-depth analysis of the boys basketball teams in the Three Rivers League last week.
It’s time to examine each of the district’s top players in greater detail this winter.
Senior Gylan Payne of Oregon City
Payne became an all-league first team guard after being a standout player in the Three Rivers League the previous season. A great all-around player said coach Aaron Newkirk, Payne led the team in every major statistical category as a junior.
Senior Ben Schneider of Oregon City
Last season, Schneider, who also played quarterback for the school, was named an honorable mention all-league winger. Newkirk called him a great shooter and leader, adding that he brings toughness on the defensive side of the ball.
Junior Alijah Scott of Oregon City
Scott is expected to start this season after playing a significant role as a sophomore. One of the program’s most improved players, according to Newkirk, is his athletic playmaking skills, which the club will rely on in 2024–2025.
Jack Clarke, Lakeridge senior
The Pacers’ 6-foot-6 post man Clarke can score, grab rebounds, and change shots defensively on the interior. Coach James Watts stated that he will be a captain and a significant contributor this season. For a Lakeirdge club that lost a lot of players from the previous season, his stature in particular will be vital.
Senior Sean McCarty of Lakeridge
McCarty can play on the perimeter, or down low next to Clarke. Sean is an extremely athletic talent that can use his leaping ability and athleticism to contribute in multiple ways to our team, Watts said of the senior forward.
More Oregon high school sports
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Oregon high school girls basketball players to watch in the Three Rivers League
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Oregon high school boys basketball players to watch in the Mt. Hood Conference
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Oregon high school girls basketball players to watch in the Mt. Hood Conference
Valentin Faucher, senior, Lakeridge
Faucher runs the Pacers offennse, bringing a shooting touch and eye for facilitation as a 5-foot-11 point guard. He will be a big part of our offense this season, Watts said.
Carter Dietz, senior, Lake Oswego
Dietz, said coach Tully Wagner, is a physical wing. His skillset is defined by his ability to slash and attack the rim, where he shines as a finisher. Wagner added that he will knock down the occasional three.
Liam Rigney, junior, Lake Oswego
Rigney brings length on the wing, akin to Dietz, and can score from all three levels. Put simply, he s the type of talent that is needed if the Lakers are to turn things around after a tough 2023-24 season.
Colt Ness, senior, Tigard
Ness was a bright spot for the Tigers last season, one which included plenty of adversity for the program. Also a star for the school s football team, Ness will be a driving force for the Tigers this season having landed on the all-league first team as a junior.
Jemai Lake, junior, Tualatin
Lake continues to grow and develop. No longer is he one of the state s best young guards, he s one of its best players, holistically. An elite shooter with deep range, Lake got plenty of chances to create and troubleshoot last season as the No. 2 to Jaden Steppe last season. This year, defenses know what to expect with the dynamic guard, who should be an all-state caliber player as a junior.
Pat Viavla, sophomore, Tualatin
Viavla broke onto the scene as a West Linn freshman last season, ushering in early comparisons to former Lions greats Payton Pritchard and Jackson Shelstad, both similarly undersized, dynamic guards. Viavla moved into the Tualatin neighborhood in the offseason and will pair excellently with Lake in a dangerous backcourt.
Javier Diaz, senior, Tualatin
Diaz was a bit of an unknown entering last season, but as the year went on he became a bigger and bigger part of who the Timberwolves were. With departures such as Steppe, size is at a premium for this group, and Diaz brings that down low. The senior forward s skill set continues to develop, as he s begun adding an outside shot to his arsenal.
Jalen Snook, senior, West Linn
Head coach Travis Myers may be new to the Lions program, but it hasn t taken him long to realize Snook is one of the better shooters in the state. Snook excelled in his first season as a starter last winter, terrorizing defenses with his outside shot. Myers likes what he s seen in terms of development in other facets of his game.
Gavin Gross, senior, West Linn
Gross, a three-level scoring forward, is not afraid to get inside and be physical, said Myers. The senior has grown defensively, and will be a major factor on both ends of the floor for a Lions team attempting to make a repeat trip to the postseason this winter.
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