The 2024-25 boys basketball season is just getting underway, and the Metro League already looks like one of the state's most competitive fields.
Here is a brief look into every boys basketball team in the Metro League, listed in alphabetical order:
Key players: Bruno Lopez-Prado, G, JR; Anden Augustus, G, JR; Jenner Mitcham, F, SR; Gage Euchari, C, SO; Kota Troung, G, SO
Outlook: Aloha struggled to stay afloat in the Metro League last season. This year, said coach Ellis, the Warriors will rely on improved depth and perimeter shooting to keep them in games. Lopez and Augustus provide great skill in the backcourt while Mitcham, Ellis added, is the group's most improved player. Additionally, both Euchari and Troung moved into the Aloha area from Oregon City and Mountainside, respectively, and should vie for playing time.
Key players: Ahmed Abalo, G/W, SO; Njenga Mungai, G, JR; Blake Unruh, G, SO; Malaki Ypma, F/C, JR
Outlook: A state tournament team in each of the last four seasons, the Beavers have been among the state's premiere programs for half of a decade. This year, however, presents a new challenge for Vancil and Beaverton: The Beavers are young. In fact, this will be Vancil's youngest team to date and he said he'll be relying on past culture to guide an inexperienced but promising group. "While we will only have one senior this year," he said, "I am proud of our current kids and the dedication they have shown to the program. These kids are loyal and are all in on honoring the great players and teammates that came before them."
Key players: Patrick Kilfoil, G, SR; Isaac Bongen, W, SO; Ryan Barone, W, JR; Joe Stimpson, G, JR
Outlook: While Southridge ultimately secured sole-possession of the Metro League title last season, Jesuit's second-place finish was impressive considering three other teams had a legitimate shot until the closing nights of the season. Now, Potter's group has as good a shot as any to take the crown this winter. Both Kilfoil and Bongen should repeat as all-league players, and both could make pushes for Metro League Player of the Year. "Our strength should be our overall athleticism, our ball-handling, and our shooting, as we will be undersized in many of our matchups this year," Potter said. "We need to all be on the same page defensively, for the same reason, and find ways to clear defensive boards."
Outlook: The Mavericks were considered among the favorites to make the state tournament. Injuries sidelined those hopes though, forcing them into a second round matchup against the eventual state champion Central Catholic Rams. This season, Hewitt's group must adjust to the outgoing transfer of multi-time all-state guard Brayden Boe (Dream City Christian School), who was a star for Mountainside in his first three seasons. The Mavericks do, however, remain strong at the guard position with a pair of proven starters in Reyes and Vizconde, and Nicholson, who came on strong last season as a junior. They'll rely on their excellent perimeter shooting and passing ability, said Hewitt.
Key players: Alonzo Hoff, W, SR; Keenan Reckamp, W, SR; Elijah Thompson, G, SO; Drew Groenig, W, JR; Nikko Kalish, W, SO
Outlook: In their search for their first back-to-back Metro League Titles in school history, the Skyhawks will be without longtime stars Carter Fortune and Kaden Groenig, who graduated last spring. There's no shortage of talent at Southridge though. Vesel said this year's time we rely on its perimeter shooting and offensive skill, looking towards a group of "interchangeable pieces" to create offense. Thompson will be the team's primary ball-handler after a stellar freshman season as sixth man. Reckamp and Groenig bring elite three-point shooting, and Hoff is an "elite defender who can attack the rim and shoot the three at a high level."
Key players: Matthew Lohman, G, SR; Rocco Ebenal, G, SO; Shay Thompson, F, SO; Jameson Cook, F, SR
Outlook: The Apollos will begin the season down a pair of projected starters as Cook is out until at least mid-January due to injury and senior forward Hudson Guthrie (who would have been the team's leading returning scorer) moved to Utah. It renders the development rate of a talented group of underclassmen all the more critical. "This is a new group for us," Saultz said. "The new guys we have are a mix of talented young sophomores and freshmen and extremely hard working and high character older guys who have gotten better each year in our program."
Key players: James Kefgan, G, SR; Kai Russell, G, SR; Jason Grady, F, SR; Lucas D'Haem, G, SR; Peyton Read, C, SR
Outlook: Westview was right in the thick of the crowded Metro League race last, finishing astride Beaverton and Mountainside at 7-5. Those teams lost significant contributors though, and the Wildcats could pounce at the opportunity this winter for a strong season. Russell, a second-team all-league guard who is entering his third season as a starter has a new backcourt mate in the Liberty transfer Kefgan, who averaged over 20 points per game last season. The team's biggest wildcard, said Wolf, is Grady. The senior forward missed last season due to ankle surgery, but bounced back and was the team's leading scorer and rebounder all summer and fall. His ability to maintain form may play a big role in Westview's ultimate ceiling.
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