It’s possible that some of the best teams in the state will be traveling from the Mount Hood Conference in March. After all, the current Class 6A state champs call it home.
The following is a synopsis of each Mount Hood Conference boys basketball team, arranged alphabetically:
Barlow Bruins
Season last: 21–7
Coach: Tom Johnson
Important participants: Blake Hills, G/W, SR; Mason Bierbrauer, W/F, SR; Brayden Barron, W/F, SR; and Jalen Atkins, G, SR
Prospects: Following an appearance in the semifinals the previous season, Barlow advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. This season, can the Bruins overcome their sluggish start? Coach Johnson stated that the team’s performance this season will be determined by how well we rebound and defend. Barlow’s core will be mostly the same this season, led by guard Atkins, who has been named to the All-State team multiple times. Because they can play both inside and out, Bierbrauer and Barron provide versatility at the forward spots. The Bruins’ eventual ceiling may depend on how successfully the team’s other starters and role players adjust.
Central Catholic Rams
Season last: 27-3
Coach: David Blue
Important participants: Robbie Long, W, JR; Zamir Paschal, G, JR; Duce Paschal, G, SR; Isaac Carr, G, SR
Outlook:Even despite winning last season s state title and losing key players such as standout Marley Zeller, there s a reason the Rams are widely viewed as a favorite entering this winter. Central Catholic s trio of Carr (Wake Forest signee) and the Paschal brothers (Duce is a Weber State signee) is about as good as it gets state-wide. You have one of the most formidable teams in Class 6A when you add outstanding depth players. The Rams open the season at nationally ranked Perry (Arizona), and move to the City of Palms national showcase and the LSI from there, kicking off what should be another special season.
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Clackamas Cavaliers
Last season:6-19
Ryan King is the coach.
Key players:RJ Barhoum, G/W, SO; Max Martinov, G/W, SO
Outlook:Having lost their most dynamic player, Seyi Babatunde, to a knee injury mere weeks ago, the Cavaliers will be relying on a pair of sophomores in Barhoum and Martinov to lead the way this season. Coach King is confident in the team s resilience as a whole as it pertains to filling the shoes of Babatunde as well. Our strength will be our unity as a team, he said. We aren t going to scare you with the eye test, but these kids will fight for each other no matter what.
David Douglas Scots
Season last: 13–12
Coach:Chad Reeves
Key players:Omar Kassim, G, SR; Gimer Novelo, G/W, SR; Micah Chadwick, W, SR
Outlook:The Scots fell one game below .500 in conference play last season, and will look to continue rising the ranks of one of the state s toughest groups in 2024. A perimeter trio of Kassim, Novelo and Chadwick provide proven production to a group that Reeves said is a joy to coach. He added that their chemistry and basketball IQ are strong points.
Gresham Gophers
Last season:17-9
Coach:Cliff White
Key players:Khaled Artharee, W, SR; Kareem Artharee, G, JR; Juma Whatley, W, JR; Levi Gaither, G, JR; Jeremiah Pichon, G, JR; Reece Glasper, C, SR
Outlook:After two years as an assistant, White has taken over as head man for the since-departed Corey Lockhart. The roster he inherits is young, with just two seniors on board, but he s optimistic about the team s talent and ability to play with a concerted approach. Look for the Gophers to play a fun, uptempo style, said White, that prioritizes guarding 94 feet and getting out in transition. A core headlined by the Artharee brothers got stronger this offseason with the transfers of Cleveland s Pichon and Centennial s Glasper.
Nelson Hawks
Last season:14-11
Coach:Daniel Blanks
Key players:Braylon Gaines, G, SO; Jaiden Pickett, G, SR; Jaydon Schregardus, G, SO; Ashua Neal, F, SR; Chaz Katoanga, G/W, JR; Zaden Richardson, F, JR; Malachi Garlington, G, SO
Outlook:One of the state s most youthful teams a year ago, the Hawks began putting down the foundation for what could be a breakout 2024 season. Nelson will be competing in the LSI for the first time since the school opened four years ago, providing a team brimming with potential a chance for some early tests. The stellar sophomore guard duo of Gaines (led the conference in points and assists per game) and Schregardus will be a focal point after impressive freshman seasons. They ll be joined by another talented guard in Putnam transfer Jaiden Pickett, a 6-foot-2 senior who averaged 15.6 points per game a year ago and plays with elite speed. I believe the strength and identity of our team will be our defense, Blanks said.
Reynolds Raiders
Last season:1-24
Coach:Terrance Dickens
Key players:Eddie Szabatin, C, JR; Jae Lyn Smith, G, FR; Lemogus Frazier, W, SR; Delphin Bizimana, G, SR
Outlook:After a tough 2023-24 season, Dickens has emphasized pacing. Simply put, he wants his team to run this year. The motto of this group is 32 Minutes of Havoc, an approach Dickens is hoping can lead to a few upsets. Szabatin, a 6-foot-6 post player who led 6A in rebounding last season, is the focal point offensively, but it ll be largely up to the trio of Bizimana, Frazier and Smith to control the pace game-to-game with their speed in transition.
Sandy Pioneers
Last season:17-9
Coach:Paul Henderson
Key players:Jacob Brown, W/F, SR
Outlook:Coach did not respond to inquiry.
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