Perennial powers Lake Oswego, Jesuit remain favorites in state's largest classification. But still watch for Sprague, Central Catholic and Silverton.
Khyan Rayner looks to lead Jesuit to its fifth-straight Class 6A state title.
Photo by Larry Lawson
Mark Shoff
2011-12 record: 22-6, Class 6A runner-up
After
earning Class 6A Player of the Year honors last season, the rest of the
nation got a taste of 6-foot-6 senior
Calvin Hermanson over the summer
on the adidas circuit. Committed to St. Mary's and regarded as a
Top 100 national prospect by MaxPreps, Hermanson averaged 22.7 points and 7.4
rebounds per game as a junior for the Lakers. Hermanson will be joined
by fellow senior returnees
Daniel Verburg (6-3, G),
Cory Coombe (6-1,
G),
Jack Anderson (6-3, G),
Colin Caslick (6-3, G) and
Mitch Lomax (6-4,
F) as LO bids for its first state title since Kevin Love was in the
lineup in 2006.
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings
2. Jesuit (Portland)Head coach: Gene Potter
2011-12 record: 26-2, Class 6A state champions
Winners
of four straight Class 6A state titles (with a record of 103-9 over
that span), Jesuit won't be easy to displace at the top of the Beaver
State basketball food chain. Crafty point guard
Khyan Rayner (5-11, Sr.)
is back after earning MVP honors in last year's state final. Rayner is
joined in the backcourt by fellow All-Metro League selection
Xavier Coleman (5-10, Sr.). Division I football recruit
Max Rich (6-6, Sr.) is a
presence on the inside and big things are expected from sophomore
Ryan Bay (6-4).
View last season's Oregon boys basketball Freeman Rankings3. Sprague (Salem)Head coach: B.J. Dobrkovsky
2011-12 record: 17-10
The
Olympians reached the 6A quarterfinals a year ago with a roster that
featured 11 juniors and sophomores. The headliner is senior guard
A.J. Lapray (6-4), who averaged 21 points a game last winter. He has some
interest from Pac-12 programs and is the reigning Central Valley League Player of Year. Other key returnees include
Tanner Morgan (6-8, Sr., F),
Taylor Brotton (6-1, Sr., G) and
Matt Collins (6-0, Jr., G).
View last season's Oregon boys basketball stat leaders
4. Central Catholic (Portland)Head coach: Dan Munson
2011-12 record: 22-6
Munson
is one of the top young coaches in Oregon and has some talent to work
with as the Rams look to extend their streak of five consecutive Mt.
Hood Conference titles.
Austin Dyer, a 6-7 senior forward, is the top
returner and is receiving interest from several West Coast Division I
college programs. Sophomore point guard
Deante Strickland played major
minutes as a freshman and is on track to develop into a solid floor
general for Central Catholic.
View last season's OSAA boys basketball playoff brackets5. SilvertonHead coach: Darren Shryock
2011-12 record: 22-6
Portland
State verbal commitment
Zach Gengler is back after pouring in 22.8
points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game as a junior. Gengler, a
6-2 guard, was a member of the Class 5A All-State first team as a junior
after leading Silverton to the 5A quarterfinals.
Trevor Bledsoe (6-6,
Sr., F),
Preston Kirk (6-2, Sr., G) and
Toby Roth (6-2, Sr., G) also
return to give the Foxes an experienced base to build around.
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