Oregon’s best high school boys basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 6A Pacific Conference

We’re taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state’s top high school basketball players. Here’s the Pacific boys list.

By Dan Brood

We’re taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state’s top high school basketball players. Here’s the Pacific boys list.

Every league has numerous standout players, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Let us know which other players you think should be added to the list.

Sol Byles (Newberg) photo by Taylor Balkom

—

Century

G Jessley Bukeyeneza, fr., 6-1

It didn’t take long for Bukeyeneza to make an impact for the Jaguars, as he’s stepped into a key role for the team as a freshman, averaging 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

“He’s one of the top freshmen in the state,” Century coach Scott Kellar said. “He’s making tremendous improvement over the season.”

G Elijah Garcia, jr., 5-6

Although standing just 5-foot-6, Garcia has stepped up for the Jaguars in a big way this season, as he’s averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He scored a game-high 27 points on a 7-for-8 shooting night from the field, helping Century get a 68-65 win over defending Pacific Conference champion Sherwood.

“He’s our emotional leader,” Kellar said. “He’s a tough defender and one of our top playmakers.”

F Andre Huynh, sr., 6-4

A newcomer to Century, Huynh has been a welcome addition to the Jaguars, as he’s averaging 10.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

“He’s our best inside scorer and a top rebounder,” Kellar said. “He’s making great improvements.”

G Jordan Johnson, so., 6-1

Johnson is averaging a team-best 11.5 points per game.

“He’s a smooth player with a very complete all-around game,” Kellar said.

Johnson also is averaging 2.8 assists per contest.

G Axton Wongsomadi, jr., 6-0

Wongsomadi is back, and playing strong for the Jaguars, after earning all-Pacific Conference honorable mention accolades as a sophomore. This season, he’s averaging 11.8 points per game and has made 59 three-point shots.

“He’s one of the top shooters in the state,” Kellar said. “He’s also a top-flight defender and a leader for us.”

Forest Grove

F Trevor Cannon, sr., 6-1

Cannon, in his senior season, has emerged as a key player in the Vikings’ offense, as he leads the team with an average of 2.6 assists per game while also shining on the defensive end of the court.

“Trevor has had some big games for us on offense but has been very consistent in his ability to defend and disrupt defensively,” Forest Grove coach Marc Roche said. “He leads our team in assists and helps us compete in a lot of different ways.”

Cannon is averaging 8.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

F Lucas Ellington, sr., 6-4

Ellington, who is scoring at an average of 8.8 points per game, has become a prime offensive threat for the Vikings this season.

“Lucas has great ability to score in different ways, both inside, utilizing his size, and with his outside shooting ability to knock down some threes,” Roche said.

Ellington is averaging 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

P Jake Steltenpohl, sr., 6-4

Steltenpohl, who is the Vikings’ top scorer at 8.8 points per game and top rebounder at 7.8 boards per contest, provides Forest Grove with a force in the paint.

“Jake is our leading scorer and rebounder and really sets the tone for us inside,” Roche said. “He is a very active post that has a great versatility in his ability to guard many different types of players, and he protects our paint on defense.”

Glencoe

G Cooper Landaker, jr., 6-0

Landaker, in his first full varsity season, has provided the Crimson Tide with a strong outside shooting threat, as he’s averaging 10 points per game. He sank a game-winning basket against school-district rival Hillsboro.

“Cooper is someone that every other team has to pay attention to,” Glencoe coach Kevin Bloodsaw said. “That makes it tougher for him, but helps us, as it opens things up inside.”

F Ben Thornbrue, sr., 6-6

Thornbrue was a second-team all-Pacific Conference selection as a junior, and he seems to have picked up his game even more as a senior, as he’s averaging a team-best 15 points per game.

“Ben is a three-year varsity player, and he’s improved every year,” Bloodsaw said. “He’s a great leader for our team. He’s a leader in practice, helping other guys out. He leads by example in games. He plays hard and wants to do well.”

Thornbrue is averaging five rebounds and one blocked shot per game.

C Chance Winter, so., 6-10

Winter, in his first season on varsity, provides an inside presence, as he’s averaging 5.0 points and 2.7 blocked shots per game. Winter had a near triple-double in one game this season, with 14 points, 11 blocked shots and eight rebounds — and he likely can only get better.

“He’s still got a lot to learn,” Bloodsaw said. “But he can establish himself as a force the next couple of years. I’m looking forward to seeing how much he can improve.”

Liberty

F Tyler Bradford, so., 6-2

Bradford has already made an impact for the Falcons, leading the team in rebounds for the season, while also scoring 8.9 points per game.

“Tyler is an extremely athletic forward, who thrives in fast-paced games,” Liberty coach Mike Gregory said. “He has the ability to defend in the post or on the wing. We trust him to rebound the ball and push it in transition, which plays to his strengths in the open court and ours as a team.”

G Donovan Crowder, so., 5-8

Crowder is handling the point guard duties for the Falcons, leading the team in assists, while also scoring at an average of 7.2 points per game.

“I believe Donovan is the quickest guard in our league with the basketball,” Gregory said. “His change of pace and quick first step make it very difficult to stay in front of him, especially in the open court. Defensively, Donovan has quick feet and quicker hands, routinely stripping the ball from offensive players. He is our primary ball-handler and has grown exponentially throughout the year into a leader on the court.”

G Justin Davis, sr., 6-0

Davis has emerged as Liberty’s leading scorer this season, putting in 10 points per game, while also averaging 2.3 three-point baskets per contest.

“Justin evolved this year to not just be a great shooter, but a great scorer,” Gregory said. “He has the ability to score in many different ways, and he is confident in every shot he takes. He is reliable on the defensive end, and he is a strong rebounder for us in the guard position.”

F John Marugg, jr., 6-4

Marugg has stepped up for the Falcons in league play, averaging 6.9 points per game in Pacific Conference contests, while also providing Liberty with some size and strong defense.

“John has become a crucial piece to our team,” Gregory said. “He provides height for us down low on the defensive end. He also is quick enough to set screens, roll-pop, and play with the pace that our guards play with. John is a strong rebounder and does a great job of contesting shots around the rim.”

G Charlie Rask, sr., 6-0

Rask has emerged as an outside shooting threat, sinking an average of 1.7 three-pointers per game while scoring at an 8.9 clip, as well as a leader for the Falcons as a senior.

“Charlie has done a great job of spreading the floor for us by consistently shooting the ball from the perimeter,” Gregory said. “He has the ability to shoot it from a couple feet behind the line, which allows for even more space for our other guards to penetrate in the middle. Charlie has taken on a leadership role for us this year and has thrived in it.”

McMinnville

PG Brandon Bomberger, jr., 5-8

Bomberger, who was an honorable mention all-Pacific Conference pick as a sophomore, runs the offense for the Grizzlies. He’s averaging 10 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds per game.

“He has an excellent feel for the game and does a nice job taking care of the ball, as he averages less than two turnovers per game,” McMinnville coach Willie Graham said.

W Cody Dauterman, sr., 6-3

Dauterman, who was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a junior, has been the team’s leading scorer this season, putting in 15 points per game while shooting at a 52-percent clip from the field.

Dauterman, who also is averaging five rebounds per game, has also been the Grizzlies’ most consistent scorer, scoring in double figures in 17 of the first 20 games he played this season.

P Zach Donahoo, sr., 6-7

Donahoo has been a force on both ends of the court for the Grizzlies, averaging 7 points, 6 rebounds and nearly 2 blocked shots per game.

G Spencer Seehawer, sr., 5-10

Seehawer is averaging 7 points and 4 rebounds per game for the Grizzlies, but he seems to really excel on the defensive end of the court. He’s averaging 2 steals per game in addition to being especially adept at drawing charges on opponents, as he’s closing in on 20 drawn charges for the season.

Newberg

G Sol Byles, sr., 6-3

Byles, who was an all-Pacific Conference honorable mention pick as a junior, has emerged as the Tigers’ scoring leader — and the team’s leader on the court in his senior season.

“Sol is our floor leader,” Newberg coach Mark Brown said of Byles, who is averaging a team-best 17 points per game. “While running the point guard position, he is also our best scorer. He is aggressive but looks for opportunities to get his teammates involved. He can score in multiple ways, by getting to the rim, hitting the three, and being a dynamic mid-range shooter.”

Byles, who is shooting at a 48-percent clip from the field, is also averaging 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

P Sam Murphy, sr., 6-2

At 6-foot-2, Murphy might not ever have a height advantage playing inside, but he’s found a way to make up for it.

“Sam is an outstanding athlete,” Brown said. “Although he is often undersized in the post, his strength and athleticism help him to be successful. He is a dynamic defender, and great rebounder, for his size.”

Murphy is scoring at an average of 8 points per game, while shooting at a 60-percent clip from the field. He also is averaging 5 rebounds and 1 steal per game.

Sherwood

G Owen Caudle, sr., 6-0

Caudle, who was a second-team all-Pacific Conference pick in 2021, has emerged as the Bowmen’s top scorer this season, with a 20 points-per-game average.

“Owen has been a steady force for us all year on both ends of the floor,” Sherwood coach Rahim Tufts said. “He can create his own shot, get to the paint, creates for others, and is extremely competitive, which is contagious within our program.”

Caudle is also averaging 4.4 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

G/W Caden Jenkins, sr., 6-0

Jenkins is providing plenty of vigor for the Bowmen squad this season.

“Caden has solidified himself as an overall energy-giver in our program, and he makes hustle plays every night,” Tufts said. “He defends at an extremely high level, and his motor just goes and goes. He is having a great senior year.”

Jenkins is averaging 8.3 points, 2 steals and 4 rebounds per game.

G/W Jared Sucher, jr., 6-3

The Bowmen are glad to have Sucher back on the court.

“Jared missed most of our preseason with a back injury, and is now really elevating his game in league play,” Tufts said. “He is a great outside shooter, and he can get to his spots on offense to create his own shot. His defense has improved immensely over the past couple of weeks, and he just continues to get better.”

Sucher is scoring at an average of 15 points per game, while also pulling down 4.8 rebounds per contest.

W/G Matthew Verkamp, jr., 6-3

Verkamp contributes in a lot of ways for the Bowmen.

“Matthew does a little bit of everything for us, including defending the opponent's best player on a nightly basis,” Tufts said. “He is physical on defense and in the paint. His calm demeanor helps steady us on the floor. But, even though he has a calm demeanor, he is intensely competitive, and he is a great defender.”

Verkamp is averaging 8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.