Pearson Carmichael of Summit (Oregon) aims to join future Boise State roommate Julian Bowie of Pocatello (Idaho) as state champion

Bowie willed his team to an Idaho 4A title last week; Carmichael is trying to do the same at the OSAA 5A boys basketball state tournament

McMINNVILLE, OREGON — Pearson Carmichael and Julian Bowie enjoy staying in touch via text message. 

Naturally, the discussion between the two Boise State signees often drifts toward basketball and running down elusive state championships. 

Carmichael has been a key contributor for Summit’s state runner-up teams each of the past two seasons. At the Class 4A level in Idaho, Bowie led Pocatello to second-place finishes in 2022 and 2023.

With a combined four silver medals entering this season, Carmichael and Bowie were determined to end their high school careers on top. Bowie made it happen last week by willing Pocatello to a 73-67 victory over two-time defending champion Hillcrest, and Carmichael is looking to do the same at the Oregon 5A state tournament.

“He told me to get mine, and I told him to get his,” Carmichael said Wednesday after Summit’s 50-48 quarterfinal win over Mountain View at Ted Wilson Gym. The 6-foot-7 wing didn’t have a huge offensive game but still contributed at both ends of the court with 10 points, seven rebounds, six steals and two assists. 

“Julian got his, so it’s my turn. If I don’t get it, I’ll probably hear from him for a little bit.”

Competing at the 6A level in 2021-22, Summit won its first 27 games but couldn’t get past Tualatin in the final. Then a sophomore, Carmichael played 12 minutes off the bench against the Timberwolves.

Carmichael emerged as the Storm’s go-to player last season as Summit cruised to the 5A title game before falling to Wilsonville. It was the Wildcats’ fifth state title in the past six completed tournaments.

Bowie was finally able to lead Pocatello past Hillcrest, and Carmichael is hoping to do the same at Linfield University if a championship game rematch with Wilsonville materializes. 

“Julian and I have talked about how our teams are similar and how we have a chip on our shoulder from coming in second the last two years,” Carmichael said.

Carmichael and Bowie, a 6-foot-3 guard, are set to be roommates when they arrive in Boise. Carmichael said he is excited to enter the program with a player of Bowie’s caliber.

“He’s just a really athletic guard,” Carmichael said. “He attacks the rim really hard, has a great shot. And when he gets into the paint, he knows how to kick, too.”

Carmichael was voted 5A player of the year as a junior, averaging 23.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. Entering the state tournament, he was up to 28 points and 9.9 rebounds this season while shooting 67 percent from inside the arc and 38 percent on 3-pointers.

Storm head coach Jon Frazier said the impact Carmichael has had on the program is immeasurable.

“The biggest thing is just him as a person,” Frazier said. “He’s such a wonderful human being to be around. His work ethic … everyone sees what he does during games, but the work ethic behind the scenes is really what sets him apart. What he’s demonstrated and the path he’s shown is going to be felt for years to come. All of the younger guys in our program see what it takes to be great, and he’s just raised the bar and given them the template.”

With two games remaining in his high school career, Carmichael is focusing on the present while looking forward to the future. 

Summit is the No. 1 seed at the 5A state tournament and will be expected to beat fourth-seeded Woodburn in Friday’s 1:30 p.m. semifinal. Carmichael could very well win Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, but the only trophy he cares about is the one that’s eluded Summit the past two seasons.

“This is what we’ve worked on our whole lives,” Carmichael said. “Since fourth grade, our team has grown up wanting to win a state championship. We’ve just stuck together and battled through it.”

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Photos by Leon Neuschwander 

Photo by Leon Neuschwander

Photo by Leon Neuschwander