Oregon (OSAA) 5A boys basketball state tournament: Matchups, what to know for each of Wednesday's quarterfinals

The 5A boys basketball state tournament begins Wednesday at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Here is a breakdown of each quarterfinal matchup.

By Bob Lundeberg | Photo by Leon Neuschwander 

The OSAA 5A boys basketball state tournament begins Wednesday at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Here is a breakdown of each quarterfinal matchup.

No. 8 Ashland vs. No. 1 Redmond

Records: Ashland 15-9, 11-5 Midwestern League (third); Redmond 20-5, 10-0 Intermountain Conference (first)

Time: 1:30 p.m. 

Ashland overcame a 12-point third-quarter deficit against La Salle Prep in a 56-47 round-of-16 victory. Junior forward Egan Shields (6-foot-10) and senior wing Hawthorn Lapierre (6-8) are big bodies for the Grizzlies, who are making their first state tournament appearance since 2007. Lapierre and guard Toby Barnes are the team’s only seniors. 

Redmond cruised to its first Intermountain title in nearly a decade (2013) behind star senior wing Garrett Osborne, the conference’s player of the year. The Panthers, who won the big-school state title in 2003 with future Oregon star Maarty Leunen, are in the state tournament for the first time since 2006. Kelly Bokn, who is now at Churchill, was the coach of Redmond’s 2003 title team. 

No. 5 Crescent Valley vs. No. 4 Silverton

Records: Crescent Valley 20-6, 13-3 Mid-Willamette Conference (second); Silverton 21-5, 16-0 Mid-Willamette Conference (first)

Time: 3:15 p.m.

With MWC player of the year Noah Dewey leading the way, Crescent Valley is looking to snap a string of 10 straight losses to conference rival Silverton. The Raiders were competitive in both matchups this season and have solid depth behind Dewey in fellow first-team all-MWC picks Jake Leibelt and Adam Temesgen. Crescent Valley’s last tournament appearance came in 2016, when current San Francisco 49er Talanoa Hufanga averaged 14 points, two rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game at Gill. 

The Foxes, who have been a part of every state tournament since 2017, earned their fifth consecutive MWC title this winter with first-team all-MWC picks Neil Efimov, Jordan McCarty and Ryan Redman-Brown headlining a talented roster. In November, McCarty quarterbacked Silverton’s football team to the state title. The senior point guard is looking to add a second title in basketball. 

No. 6 Crater vs. No. 3 Wilsonville

Records: Crater 21-5, 12-4 Midwestern League (second); Wilsonville 24-2, 13-1 Northwest Oregon Conference (first) 

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Midwestern runner-up Crater is making its fourth straight state tournament appearance. Logan Price, a 6-foot-3 senior wing, torched Corvallis for 33 points in the Comets’ opening-round playoff victory. Senior point guard Colton Vranes is one of the most experienced players in the state.

Wilsonville, which won its eighth consecutive Northwest Oregon title this season, hasn’t missed a state tournament since 2008. The Wildcats won the 2019 championship, the most recent completed state tournament. Sophomore guard Kallen Gutridge and 6-foot-10 senior forward Logan Thebiay are two of the leaders for the balanced Wildcats. 

No. 7 Eagle Point vs. No. 2 Churchill

Records: Eagle Point 18-7, 10-6 Midwestern League (fourth); Churchill 21-5, 15-1 Midwestern League (first)

Time: 8:15 p.m.

Eagle Point blew by Hood River Valley in the round-of-16 to clinch its first state tournament berth since 2014. The Southern Oregon school received a tough draw with Midwestern rival Churchill, but Eagle Point nearly took down the Lancers late last month in Eugene. Brennen Neyt and company will hope the third time’s the charm in Corvallis.

Churchill, which came out on top in a stacked Midwestern League, is making its 10th straight state tournament appearance. The Lancers were the No. 1 overall seed in 2020 and were poised to win their first title since 2001 when the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19. Senior point guard Samaje Morgan is the engine for Churchill, which has placed second four times under Kelly Bokn (2013-14, 2017, 2019).