The Les Schwab Invitational is HERE — and this is where seasons change.We’re breaking down the biggest matchups, making our picks, and putting confidence levels on everything — locks, leans, and upset alerts.From national powers coming into Oregon… To local heavyweights like Central Catholic, Southridge, Tualatin, and Oregon City battling on a neutral floor… This tournament doesn’t lie.🎧 Full Les Schwab Invitational breakdown and picks
The Capitol City Classic delivered big-time hoops — close games, out-of-state battles, and players stepping up when it mattered most.We saw Tualatin lock up third place with a balanced attack… Sherwood survive a thriller for fourth… Nelson and Benson with great games … And multiple guys put together statement performances on a neutral floor.We break down every key game, the top performers, and what this tournament tells us moving forward.
The new 6A Coaches Poll just dropped — and it’s already shaking things up.Central Catholic stays at #1 despite a tough start… Southridge and Oregon City are climbing fast… Lake Oswego and Barlow force their way into the Top 10… And a few familiar names are sliding after brutal early schedules.We break down what the coaches are really saying — who’s legit, who’s rising, and who’s built for February and March.
We had top-10 battles at the Sherwood Shootout… Southridge knocking off #3 Tualatin in a tournament final… Beaverton upsetting Lake Oswego… Central Catholic looking every bit like the #1 team… And stars like Jemai Lake, Maddyn Cummings, RJ Barhoum, Eli Hopkins, and TKO Westbrook lighting it up all week long.From the coaches poll shake-up to breakout performances — Week 1 delivered EVERYTHING.
5A basketball in Oregon is looking crazy this year.We’ve got returning stars… breakout sophomores… new transfers… and a whole lineup of teams ready to make a real run at the 5A title.Which programs are poised for a big jump? Who’s slipping? And which team has the pieces to dominate from Day 1?We’re breaking it all down — contenders, sleepers, and our full 5A preseason power rankings.
The Metro League is back, and this year might be the most competitive we’ve seen in a decade.Can Southridge build on the momentum they finished with last season? Does Jesuit have enough experience to climb back to the top? What about Sunset, Mountainside, Beaverton, Westview, and Aloha — who’s rising, who’s rebuilding, and who’s ready to shock the league?And with so many young players stepping into bigger roles, the youth movement in the Metro is REAL.Tap in as we break down the contenders, the sleepers, and our full preseason rankings.
The PIL looks completely different this year, and we’re breaking it all down in our preseason rankings episode.Where do last year’s champions, Roosevelt, land in this year’s list? Which programs are rising fast thanks to the youth movement taking over the league? And who’s poised to make the biggest jump in Portland high school basketball?We’ve got surprises, sleepers, and a whole new look at the city hoop scene.
We’re dropping our official 6A Preseason Top 10 — and Oregon hoops is about to be WILD this year.From Central Catholic holding down the #1 spot… to Tualatin, Southridge, Nelson, Jesuit, and the rest of the top teams gearing up for a run — this ranking is loaded with talent, storylines, and championship expectations.We break down every team, who’s rising, who’s underrated, and which squads are built for Chiles in March.
We’re breaking down Oregon’s Class of 2028 — the next generation of hoopers already making noise across the state.From rising guards to long, skilled wings and bigs with real upside… this class is deeper and more advanced than people realize. We talk standouts, sleepers, and who’s got the potential to be the next breakout star in Oregon high school basketball.
We sat down with Centennial Head Coach Demetrius McQuarn, fresh off a 14–12 season and a top-15 OSAA ranking — and he’s got the Eagles locked in for a big year.Coach talks about the return of Sincere Powe and Darius Andrews, plus the impact of transfers Sebastian Larsen and Je’Mel Baker, and what it will take for Centennial to elevate in one of the toughest leagues in Oregon.
We sat down with Coach Daniel Blanks of Adrianne C. Nelson High School — one of the fastest-rising programs in Oregon hoops.Coach talks about building culture, bouncing back from that tough second-round loss to Jesuit, and leading a talented group led by junior guard Braylon Gaines, incoming transfer Carter Lockhart, and a dedicated coaching staff that’s all-in.
We sat down with Coach Erik Lyslo, one of the most respected Coaches in the game. to talk culture, development, and what it takes to build a program the right way.Coach breaks down his philosophy, the leaders in his locker room, and how he’s helping his players grow on the court and as young men — plus what’s next for his program this season.
In this episode of Buckets in the 503, we sit down with Daren Kalish, whose basketball journey has taken him from the college sidelines to the corporate and professional side of the game.Daren shares how he went from recruiting at Loyola Marymount University and the University of Oregon to leading grassroots basketball as the Adidas Director of Grassroots Basketball , and now serving as the Director of Client Management, representing and supporting professional athletes across the country.We talk about the business of basketball, relationships, mentorship, and what it really takes to transition from the coaching world into player management at the highest level.Daren’s journey shows that basketball isn’t just a game — it’s a network, a business, and a platform for growth. Whether you’re a coach, player, parent, or fan, there’s something in here for you.
We’re back with Jed Tai from @PrepHoopsOR to break down the updated 2027 class rankings — who’s rising, who’s underrated, and how these young hoopers are already making noise across Oregon. Jed talks about what goes into building the rankings, and which players could blow up this season.
We sat down with Braylon Gaines — one of Oregon’s most dynamic young guards — to talk about his grind, his mindset, and what’s fueling his game heading into the new season.He’s confident, competitive, and hungry to prove he’s one of the top players in the state.
We sat down with Elijah Thompson, one of Oregon’s top guards in the Class of 2027, to talk about his journey, his leadership at Southridge, and the work he’s been putting in all offseason.From late-night workouts to big-stage performances — Elijah’s locked in and ready to prove he’s one of the best in the state.
This week we’re sitting down with Coach Ryan Orton, head coach at Western Oregon University — talking about building a winning culture at the D2 level, developing Oregon talent, and what it really takes to make the jump from high school to college basketball.Coach Orton breaks down recruiting, mindset, and what separates good players from great ones — plus, gives us a look at what to expect from the Wolves this season.
In this episode, we sit down with Jed Tai, Prep Hoops Oregon’s lead evaluator, to talk about his latest 2026 class rankings — what goes into the process, how the top players earned their spots, and which prospects are trending up heading into the 2025–26 season.We debate the toughest calls, and spotlight players who may not be ranked yet but deserve to be in the conversation.How the rankings are built – what factors Jed and Prep Hoops value mostBreaking down the top players – Jemai Lake, Zamir Paschal, Robbie Long, Adrian Montague, Bryce Lowenbach, and moreHow evaluation differs between projection and productionPlayers who should be mentioned – the sleepers, late bloomers, and rising prospects in Oregon’s 2026 class
In this episode, Buckets in the 503 sits down with Eli Hopkins, one of Oregon’s rising guards who’s been putting in serious work this offseason. Eli talks about what he’s been focused on, how his leadership is evolving, and what to expect from his squad heading into the 2025–26 season.He shares his NBA comparison, the game he’s got circled on the calendar, and even shouts out a few teammates who might surprise people this year.
In this episode of Buckets in the 503, we sit down with a parent reflecting on their son’s journey — from youth leagues and long road trips to his first year as a college freshman.It’s about more than basketball — it’s about growth, sacrifice, and watching your kid chase a dream one step at a time.🎙️ Tune in for real stories, real emotion, and the heart behind every player’s journey.