Things are getting hotter statewide as the 2024–25 winter season approaches. Last year, Liberty won the Pacific Conference, but it appears that Sherwood will be the club to defeat this time.
Below is a quick overview of the Pacific Conference’s boys basketball teams, arranged alphabetically:
Century Jaguars
Season last: 14–12
Coach: Scott Kellar
Important participants: Isaiah Mesa, G, SR; Adam Walkenhorst, F, SO; Islam Muzaffarov, G, SR; Jace Willett, W/F, JR; Mikah Phommahasay, G, SR; Jessley Bukeyeneza, G, SR; Xzavier Garcia, F, SR
Outlook: The Jaguars will depend on a strong, seasoned group of guards as they attempt to secure a fifth consecutive postseason spot. Coach Kellar has found success with it in the past, and as he enters his 28th season, he is more than content to let his backcourt take the lead. Bukeyeneza, who made the all-conference second team the previous season, is in the lead, but Mesa and Phommahasay, who are seniors, are just behind him in terms of shooting and defense. As he develops offensively, Kellar stated that Walkenhorst, a sophomore, would serve as Century’s defensive anchor.
Forest Grove Vikings
Season last: 10–14
Marc Roche is the coach.
Important participants: Kasen Lariz, W, JR; Jake Burke, G, SR; Nolan Hudgins, G, SR; Andwele Bridges, G, JR
Outlook: According to Roche, the Forest Grove team this year, which includes seven guys with a lot of varsity experience from the previous season, will be strong on guard play. The Vikings have a number of guys who can get downhill and generate offense, led by Bridges, who averaged 20 points per game as a sophomore. But it’s this team’s shooting that truly excites Roche. According to him, there are more shooters this year than there have been in previous years.
Glencoe Crimson Tide
Season last: 4/19
Kevin Bloodsaw, coach
Important participants:Coach didn’t answer the question.
Outlook: The coach did not reply to the question.
Liberty Falcons
Season last: 21–5
Coach: Mike Gregory
Important participants: Trey Thomas, G, JR; Jayden Johnson, G, JR; and Tavian Womack, W/F, SR
Outlook: In the previous season, Liberty easily won the Pacific Conference. The capacity of last year’s death pieces to develop into capable leaders and possible standouts will determine whether there is a chance for a repetition. Womack, Johnson, and Thomas are the only three varsity-experienced players the Falcons have returning. According to Gregory, this group has already demonstrated that they take pride in their defensiveness. They enjoy competing, deflecting, and causing trouble. We shall be primarily relying on their exceptional work ethic this year as a team.
More Oregon high school sports
-
Girls basketball season preview: It s a year for growth in the Metro League
-
Boys basketball season preview: Who s going to stand out in a crowded Metro League?
-
Robby Scharf, who helped lead Wells to back-to-back PIL titles, promoted to head football coach
McMinnville Grizzlies
Season last: 11–13
Coach: Tucker Coil
Important participants: Dylan Ferrua, G, JR; Brayden Mix, G, SR
Outlook: Following a two-decade stint under former coach Willie Graham, Coil has been appointed head coach. According to Coil, the program’s ethos, expectations, and concepts have undergone major change as a result of a personnel turnover. During the significant change, upperclassmen, particularly the guards Mix and Ferrua, have been very coachable and supportive of the process from the beginning. Coil stated that our defense must be a primary priority of our program and that we have put a lot of money into it this year.
Newberg Tigers
Season last: 9–16
Brett Vernon is the coach.
Important participants: Collin Wujcik, G, SR; Parker Sellner, F, JR
Outlook: Only Sellner, who played varsity minutes the previous season, is returning to the Tigers, who graduated eight seniors off their squad. Along with several other players on the Newberg squad, including Wujcik, who Vernon said averaged 15 points per game this summer and is becoming into a multi-level scorer, he will be relied upon to broaden his role and skill set. He is also the team’s starting quarterback. Six juniors and four sophomores make up the majority of the Tigers’ team.
Sherwood Bowmen
Season last: 17–9
Rahim Tufts is the coach.
Important participants: Walt Rosenburg, C, SR; Avery Johnson, W, SO; Ben Everhart, C, SR; Noah Williams, G, SR; Connor Parry, G, SR; Brody Rygh, W, JR; Brady Hix, G, SR
Outlook: This year’s team is motivated by a thrilling playoff loss to Sandy. According to Tufts, it still hurts and has motivated us to do better. According to Tufts, the Bowmen are long and powerful, have a physical bent, and take pride in their ability to defend and rebound. Walt Rosenburg, a McMinnville transfer, completes a team that already has a lot of positional variety. Prior to Liberty’s victory last season, Sherwood has won the Pacific Conference each season since its founding in 2018. This year, that dominance might very well resume.
Sign up for the newsletter from High School Sports+.
To receive high school sports editor Nik Streng’s unique news and perspectives, sign up here.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
