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. Head coach Gene Potter called him an outstanding all around player on both ends of the floor, adding that he can play both with the ball in his hands and off the ball equally well.
Isaac Bongen, Jesuit sophomore
Last season, Bongen only needed a few games to establish himself as possibly the finest freshman in the state. The wing averaged 12.5 points per game and landed on the all-league third team a year ago. 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
Ryan Barone, junior, Jesuit
Barone is an outstanding outside shooter, in the words of Potter. The wing came off the bench last season as a sophomore, but has already secured a much larger role here as a junior for Jesuit.
Peyton Reyes, senior, Mountainside
Reyes has long been one of Class 6A s top defenders. A relatively undersized guard, he s made a living at the highest levels through his hustle and reflexes. Coach Dustin Hewitt also called him an elite shooter.
Eli Vizconde, junior, Mountainside
Vizconde got serious minutes for the Mavericks as a freshman due to his innate perimeter shooting ability. Ever since, the guard has continually expanded his offensive game, becoming far more well-rounded as a scoring threat. With the offseason transfer of star guard Brayden Boe, Vizconde should be a major part of the Mavericks offense this year.
J Kobi Nicholson, junior, Mountainside
Nicholson broke into the Mavericks rotation in a significant way last season and his role isn t going anywhere anytime soon. He doesn t back down from anyone and is an elite passer, Hewitt said of the junior guard.
Alonzo Hoff, senior, Southridge
A returning all-league second team wing, Hoff does a bit of it all at 6-foot-7. Zo is an elite defender who can attack the rim and shoot the three at a high level, coach Phil Vesel said. With the departure of the two graduated guards Kaden Groenig and Carter Fortune, Hoff is in store for more on-the-ball offensive usage this year.
Keenan Reckamp, senior, Southridge
Reckamp led Class 6A in three-point shooting percentage last year and isn t shy about letting them fly. A 6-foot-2 wing, the third-year starter is a returning all-league third team player who has expanded his game off the bounce.
Elijah Thompson, sophomore, Southridge
Thompson found his way into the Skyhawks rotation as a freshman and proved he belonged on one of 6A s most competitive teams. He averaged 10 points per game in league play last season as the team s sixth man. Vesel said he ll be the team s primary ball-handler this season.
Drew Groenig, junior, Southridge
Groenig, whose older brother ran the point for the Skyhawks for several years, is following in Kaden s footsteps. A 6-foot-2 wing, he s becoming a bigger and bigger part of the rotation. His calling card last season was his elite three-point shooting, but his game is set to expand here in the back half of his prep career.
Matthew Lohman, senior, Sunset
A third-year varsity player, Lohman is a strong athlete who also excels for the school s football team. The 6-foot guard will be counted on for his leadership and scoring ability this season, said coach David Saultz.
Rocco Ebenal, sophomore, Sunset
A lefty point guard, Ebenal is a very smart player who understands the game and is intensely competitive, Saultz said. His knowledge of how to run a team has helped him carve out a sizable role for the Apollos, despite his youth.
Shay Thompson, sophomore, Sunset
Thompson brings some size on the wing for the Apollos. He can play both inside and out with his smooth athleticism and is a burgeoning three-level scorer. He will be asked to do a little bit of everything for us, Saultz said.
James Kefgan, senior, Westview
Kefgan s transfer from Liberty to Westview could be one of the more impactful moves of the offseason. As a junior, the shooting guard was one of the state s most productive scorers, honing in a three-level skillset. He s a huge addition to a Wildcats team that was in the thick of the Metro League race a year ago.
Kai Russell, senior, Westview
Russell joins Kefgan in a backcourt full of talent and experience. A three-year starter, the senior point guard made the all-league second team last season. Russell averaged 11.1 points per game as a junior.
Jason Grady, senior, Westview
Grady is a bit of a wild card in the words of coach Mike Wolf. The senior forward missed all of last season due to ankle surgery, but was one of the team s premiere talents before he was sidelined. Amid his return this summer, Grady blossomed into the group s leading scorer and rebounder, raising the bar for his senior year ceiling.
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