Oregon (OSAA) 6A girls basketball state tournament: Matchups, what to know for each of Thursday's quarterfinals

The 6A girls basketball state tournament begins Thursday in Portland

Bob Lundeberg | Mar 4, 2024

The OSAA 6A girls basketball state tournament begins Thursday at the University of Portland's Chiles Center. Here is a breakdown of each quarterfinal matchup.

BRACKET

Victoria Nguyen (Willamette) photo by Dan Brood

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No. 8 Southridge vs. No. 1 South Medford

Records: Southridge 22-4, 10-1 Metro League (tied first); South Medford 23-3, 12-0 Southwest Conference (first)

Time: 1:30 p.m.

After finishing in a three-way tie atop the Metro with Beaverton and Jesuit, Southridge advanced to its first state tournament since 2020 with victories over Glencoe and West Linn. Sophomore point guard Sara Mangan had a big game in the round-of-16, pouring in 31 points. Mangan was the Skyhawks’ lone first-team all-Metro selection, and seniors Audrey Meek (second team) and Bella Loitz (third team) also received recognition. Other than two matchups with Beaverton, Southridge hasn’t lost since the calendar flipped to 2024.

South Medford has notched three 6A runner-up finishes (2013-14, 2023) since winning the 2012 state title, including a championship game loss to Clackamas a season ago. Star point guard Donovyn Hunter is now at Oregon State, but the Panthers haven’t skipped a beat with sophomore sensation Taylor Young and junior Sara Schmerbach leading the offense. South Medford, which hasn’t missed the state tournament since 2018 and won an unofficial state title in 2021, played only eight home games this season— six during the regular season. The battled-tested Panthers won’t be fazed by spending some more time away from southern Oregon.

No. 5 Willamette vs. No. 4 Jefferson

Records: Willamette 20-7, 10-2 Southwest Conference (second); Jefferson 24-2, 15-1 PIL (tied first)

Time: 3:15 p.m.

Willamette, which placed fourth at last year’s state tournament, was the Southwest runner-up behind South Medford for the second consecutive season. The entire starting lineup is back, including first-team all-conference selections Brynn Smith and Isabella Harms. Fellow juniors Victoria Nguyen, Harper Wagner and Maddy Warberg are experienced players for the Wolverines. Willamette has ample length and athleticism and is a dynamic team at both ends of the court.

Jefferson snapped a 17-game losing streak to PIL rival Benson this season and shared the league title with the Techsters. The breakthrough win also snapped Benson’s 48-game PIL win streak. Juniors Chanucey Andersen, Abrianna Lawrence and Leila Nunez were first-team all-PIL sections. The three standouts played varsity basketball as freshmen and are now leading a title contender. The Democrats are making their first state tournament appearance since 2010, when they won their second 5A crown in a three-season span.

No. 14 Grants Pass vs. No. 6 Benson

Records: Grants Pass 18-9, 8-4 Southwest Conference (third); Benson 21-4, 15-1 PIL (tied first)

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Grants Pass showed off the depth of the Southwest Conference by routing Barlow in the first round and knocking off No. 3 McMinnville on the road, 54-45, in the round-of-16. Senior point guard Brooke Anderson, a four-year varsity standout, was voted Southwest player of the year. Her running mate, fellow senior Brooklyn Wakefield, also received first-team all-conference honors. Grants Pass, which fell at home to West Salem in last year’s round-of-16, is making its first state tournament appearance since 2006.

Benson claimed a share of its eighth consecutive PIL title and returns to the state tournament after coming up just short a season ago. The Techsters, who won the 2019 state title under head coach Eric Knox, are led by senior post Mahogany Chandler-Roberts, a three-time PIL player of the year and a UCF signee. Fellow seniors Eboni Clay and Mauriana Hashemian-Orr star in the backcourt, and sophomore forward Samarah Massey has had a strong season. With a perfect blend of size, athleticism and experience, Benson is a dark horse title contender.

No. 10 Jesuit vs. No. 2 Clackamas

Records: Jesuit 20-6, 10-2 Metro League (tied first); Clackamas 22-3, 14-0 Mt. Hood Conference (first)

Time: 8:15 p.m.

Just like she has all season, senior post Kendra Hicks willed Jesuit to victory in the round-of-16. Hicks, the Metro player of the year, recorded 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Crusaders took down No. 7 Tualatin, 39-31, for a third consecutive trip to Chiles Center. Hicks was more of a role player on last season’s team that featured stars such as Sofia Bell (Oregon) and Emma Sixta (Colorado School of Mines), but the post has blossomed as a go-to option and is averaging a double-double. Junior guard Audrey Bayless, the Metro defensive player of the year, is another standout for a Jesuit squad looking to pull off a monumental upset of Clackamas.

Clackamas, the reigning 6A state champion, hasn’t lost to an Oregon team since falling to Beaverton in the 2022 semifinals. The Cavaliers are the top-scoring team in 6A at 73.4 points per game, and the roster is loaded with talent from top to bottom. It all starts with junior Jazzy Davidson, one of the most sought-after recruits in the country and a two-time Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year. Teammates Sara Barhoum, Dylan Mogel and Allie Roden joined Davidson on the all-Mt. Hood first team. If Clackamas romps its way to a second consecutive title, few people will be surprised.

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