The Metro League’s boys basketball teams were the subject of an in-depth analysis by The Oregonian/OregonLive last week.
It’s time to examine each of the district’s top players in greater detail this winter.
Junior Bruno Lopez-Prado, Aloha
Despite his reputation as a guard, Lopez-Prado is the Warriors’ best shooter and rebounder. He is still on the rise and earned the team’s MVP in his sophomore year.
Junior Anden Augustus, Aloha
Augustus, another exceptional Aloha guard, is the team’s main source of competition. According to coach Dan Ellis, he is also a team leader and will be essential if the Warriors hope to get past a difficult campaign from the previous year.
Senior Jenner Mitcham of Aloha
According to Ellis, Mitcham is the team’s most improved player. The forward is prepared for a senior leap following an outstanding offseason. In addition to being the team’s best defensive threat, Mitcham will have his hands full protecting a number of quality players in the Metro League schedule.
Beaverton sophomore Ahmed Abalo
Abalo, who played in several key positions for the Beavers as a freshman, is the only player on the team with varsity experience. Coach Andrew Vancil described the guard/wing as a good athlete with good bounce. hoping he would step up as a decision-maker and defender.
Beaverton’s youngster Njenga Mungai
Had Mungai not sustained a season-ending knee injury, he would have been able to play varsity last season. But now that he’s back, he looks great. Vancil, one of our best shooters and creators of plays, stated, “I expect a big year for him.”
Beaverton sophomore Blake Unruh
Unruh was a guard on the junior varsity squad the previous season, but he will have to adjust fast to support a young Beavers team at the varsity level. Vancil praised his voice and leadership on the court and loved his understanding of the game.
Patrick Kilfoil, Jesuit senior
Kilfoil averaged 16.2 points per game for the Crusaders past season, earning a spot on the all-league second team. He is an exceptional all-around player on both ends of the court, according to head coach Gene Potter, who also noted that he can play just as well off the ball as he can with it in his hands.
Isaac Bongen, Jesuit sophomore
Last season, Bongen only needed a few games to establish himself as possibly the finest freshman in the state. A year earlier, the wing made the all-league third team with an average of 12.5 points per game. According to Potter, he is a dynamic athlete with a long jump shot range. He keeps getting better at shooting baskets, and the Crusaders can rely on him to rebound and play strong defense.
More Oregon high school sports
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Oregon high school girls basketball players to watch in the Metro League
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Oregon high school boys basketball players to watch in the Portland Interscholastic League
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Oregon high school girls basketball players to watch in the Portland Interscholastic League
Junior Ryan Barone, Jesuit
According to Potter, Barone is a superb outside shooter. As a sophomore, the wing came off the bench last season, but as a junior for Jesuit, he has already established a much greater role.
Mountainside senior Peyton Reyes
Reyes has long been regarded as one of the best defenders in Class 6A. Despite being a very small guard, his hustle and quick thinking have allowed him to earn a living at the top levels. He was also referred to as an excellent shot by coach Dustin Hewitt.
Junior Eli Vizconde of Mountainside
As a rookie, Vizconde’s natural ability to shoot from the perimeter earned him significant playing time for the Mavericks. Since then, the guard has consistently improved his offensive repertoire and developed into a much more versatile scoring threat. Vizconde should play a significant role in the Mavericks’ offense this season with the offseason acquisition of standout guard Brayden Boe.
Mountainside junior J Kobi Nicholson
Last season, Nicholson made a big impact on the Mavericks rotation, and he won’t be leaving anytime soon. Hewitt described the junior guard as an exceptional passer who never backs down from a challenge.
Senior Alonzo Hoff of Southridge
At six feet seven, Hoff, a returning all-league second team wing, does a little bit of everything. According to coach Phil Vesel, Zo is a superb defender who can attack the rim and make three-pointers. Hoff will see increased offensive on-the-ball use this season as a result of the departure of the two graduating guards, Carter Fortune and Kaden Groenig.
Senior Keenan Reckamp of Southridge
Reckamp isn’t afraid to let them go and led Class 6A in three-point shooting percentage the previous season. The third-year starter, a 6-foot-2 wing, has improved his game right away and is a returning member of the all-league third team.
Southridge sophomore Elijah Thompson
As a freshman, Thompson made his way into the Skyhawks rotation and established himself as a member of one of the most competitive teams in 6A. As the team’s sixth man in league play the previous season, he averaged 10 points per game. According to Vesel, he will be the team’s main ball handler this year.
Junior Drew Groenig of Southridge
Groenig is continuing Kaden’s legacy since his older brother was the Skyhawks’ point for a number of years. He is a 6-foot-2 wing who is increasingly contributing to the rotation. His exceptional three-point shooting was his defining feature the previous season, but in the latter part of his prep career, his skill set is expected to grow.
Senior Matthew Lohman, Sunset
Lohman is a third-year varsity player who shines for the school’s football team and is a great athlete. Coach David Saultz stated that the 6-foot guard’s leadership and scoring prowess will be relied upon this season.
Sunset sophomore Rocco Ebenal
Ebenal, a left-handed point guard, is a highly intelligent athlete who is fiercely competitive, according to Saultz. Despite his youth, he has carved out a significant role for the Apollos because to his understanding of team management.
Sunset sophomore Shay Thompson
The Apollos benefit from Thompson’s size on the wing. His fluid athleticism allows him to play both inside and out, and he is a rising three-level scorer. Saultz stated, “We’ll ask him to do a little bit of everything for us.”
Senior James Kefgan of Westview
One of the more significant offseason transfers could be Kefgan’s move from Liberty to Westview. The shooting guard developed a three-level skill set and was one of the state’s most prolific scorers as a junior. A year ago, the Wildcats were in the middle of the Metro League race, and he is a tremendous addition to that club.
Senior Kai Russell of Westview
Russell joins Kefgan in a talented and seasoned backcourt. The senior point guard, a three-year starter, was selected to the all-league second team the previous season. As a junior, Russell scored 11.1 points per game on average.
Westview senior Jason Grady
According to coach Mike Wolf, Grady is a bit of a wild card. The senior forward was one of the team’s best players prior to missing the entire previous season because of ankle surgery. Grady raised the bar for his senior year ceiling by becoming the group’s top scorer and rebounder during his comeback this summer.
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