Players to watch at the Oregon 5A boys basketball state tournament

Here's a look at some of the top stars to watch at this week's 5A boys basketball state tournament in Corvallis.

By Bob Lundeberg 

The OSAA 5A boys basketball state tournament begins Wednesday at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Here's a look at some of the top players to watch at the event. 

Samaje Morgan (Churchill) photo by Taylor Balkom 

F Noah Dewey, sr., Crescent Valley

The Mid-Willamette Conference player of the year, Dewey is a versatile 6-foot-6 big man who can score in a variety of ways. The senior canned the game-winning three-pointer in a rivalry win at Corvallis and is the Raiders’ go-to guy.

W Neil Efimov, sr., Silverton

One of the state’s most feared shooters, Efimov is Silverton’s leading scorer at 17.1 points per game. The 6-foot-4 first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference selection is also putting up 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals. 

G Kallen Gutridge, so., Wilsonville

A left-handed perimeter player, the 6-foot-2 Gutridge has had a strong sophomore season for the Wildcats. Gutridge netted a team-high 15 points in Wilsonville’s first-round playoff victory over Central. He is averaging 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game. 

W Hawthorn Lapierre, sr., Ashland

Lapierre averages around 20 points per game for the Grizzlies, who are in the state tournament for the first time since 2007. The 6-foot-8 junior has guard skills on offense and is a standout defender. He is averaging 17.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. 

F Jake Leibelt, sr., Crescent Valley

Leibelt, a 6-foot-5 forward, was voted first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference. The senior scored a game-high 20 points in Crescent Valley’s round-of-16 victory over Scappoose. 

G Jordan McCarty, sr., Silverton

A first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference selection, McCarty is averaging 12.5 points, 5.8 assists, 2.5 steals and three rebounds per game as a senior. The 6-foot-1 standout is also a star quarterback who recently signed a Division I football scholarship with Air Force. 

G Samaje Morgan, sr., Churchill

Morgan has been lighting it up all season for Churchill. The electric 5-foot-8 senior guard scored 32 points in a close midseason loss against Class 6A No. 7 seed Roosevelt.

W Brennen Neyt, sr., Eagle Point

Neyt finished right around his season average with 24 points in Eagle Point’s round-of-16 victory over Hood River Valley. The 6-foot-4 senior is a strong all-around offensive player who can shoot from long range and finish inside.

W Garrett Osborne, sr., Redmond

The Intermountain Conference player of the year, Osborne is an athletic wing who scores in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-3 senior can knock down three-pointers with ease and is also known for his electric dunks. He is averaging 21.8 points per game. 

C Evan Otten, jr., Redmond

Otten is a 6-foot-8 junior big man who was voted first-team all-Intermountain. Otten paced the Panthers with 26 points in their round-of-16 victory over Milwaukie and is putting up 14.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

W Logan Price, sr., Crater

Price torched Corvallis in the state round-of-16, netting 33 points in a runaway victory. The 6-foot-3 senior has become more of a scorer during the second half of the season.

F Ryan Redman-Brown, sr., Silverton

Another first-team all-MWC selection for the Foxes, the 6-foot-5 Redman-Brown gives Silverton some size in the paint. The senior is averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals and two blocks per game. 

G Mickey Redondo, sr., Eagle Point

Redondo is a veteran point guard who gets it done on both ends of the court. The 5-foot-8 senior scored 13 points in the round-of-16 for Eagle Point.

G Yoshi Saito, sr., Redmond

A second-team all-Intermountain Conference selection, Saito is putting up 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The 5-foot-11 guard is a perfect complementary player next to Garrett Osborne and Evan Otten. 

F Egan Shields, sr., Ashland

At 6-foot-10, Shields is a dominant interior presence for Ashland. He runs the floor well for his size and is an impact player on offense and defense who averages 10 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. 

G Adam Temesgen, jr., Crescent Valley

A steady guard, Temesgen is an excellent shooter who also gets his teammates involved. The 6-foot-1 junior was voted first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference. 

F Logan Thebiay, sr., Wilsonville

The 6-foot-10 Thebiay gives the Wildcats plenty of size in the paint. The senior has committed to play college basketball for Oregon Tech and is averaging 11.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. 

G Colton Vranes, sr., Crater

A senior who can play either guard position, Vranes is a dangerous outside shooter and an all-around strong player. Vranes has played in many big games for the Comets over the course of his high school career.

G Ty Weiskind, sr., Churchill

Weiskind is one of Churchill’s many role players who play a supporting role behind Morgan. In the state round-of-16, the 6-foot-4 Weiskind finished with 10 points.

G Maxim Wu, jr., Wilsonville

A junior point guard, Wu is putting up eight points and 3.6 assists per game for the Wildcats. The 6-foot Wu was a key player as a sophomore and has taken on a big role this winter.