Central Catholic remains the team to beat in Mount Hood Conference boys basketball this season after racing to the league title last season with a 22-6 record, which saw the Rams play in the Rose Garden for the 6A state tournament.
The Rams are off to an 8-3 start this year with two of their losses coming against top-ranked Lake Oswego, while the other was a loss to West Linn in a rematch of last years state quarterfinals.
Following are previews of the five East County schools
BARLOW BRUINS
The Bruins were the only league team to hand Central Catholic a loss last season, winning 66-64 at mid-season, and Barlow appears to be the most likely contender for a similar upset this winter.
The Bruins are off to a 9-2 start with their only losses coming to Jefferson, the top-ranked team at 5A, and to Service High, a powerhouse out of Alaska. Out of its nine wins, eight have come by double-digit margins the most impressive being a 55-40 win over No. 8 Sunset.
Leading the way in the backcourt are Kody Kennedy and Duncan Otis, while Jake Ellis is a threat around the 3-point arc, as well.
Offensively, we shoot the ball well from the perimeter, Barlow coach Tom Johnson said. Were not overly physical, but this is a senior-dominated team and they feel like it is their time.
Center Cody Powers is the teams main option under the basket and a force on the boards.
He gives us an inside presence, and hes really worked to become a better passer, Johnson said.
DAVID DOUGLAS SCOTS
David Douglas was a force in the league last season, as a senior-heavy squad tied for second in league and advanced to play in the Rose Garden for the 6A state tournament. But most of those players have graduated, leaving fresh faces to fill the court this season.
We dont have guys with many varsity minutes, so these early season games have been valuable, David Douglas coach Chad Reeves said. Were going deep into the bench and putting a number of people out on the floor.
Leading this years group are seniors Aickelson and Bickelson Samuels, along with Steven Wallace and junior Sirgio Palmore.
These kids have been in the program, and they learned how hard we worked in practice to get where we did last year, Reeves said. This group is buying in and working hard.
The Scots are 5-6 in nonleague play and won the four-team Oregon City tournament at the start of the holiday break.
REYNOLDS RAIDERS
The Raiders are 5-6 in nonleague action with seven of those games coming down to the wire. Reynolds has gone deep into its bench during the preseason, giving a young lineup a chance to prove itself. The team doesnt have a senior on the roster.
This is the youngest team Ive had, Reynolds coach John Poetsch said. These guys are getting thrown into the mix ready or not, but really its just a matter of becoming more consistent and well rounded.
Leading the way in the backcourt is the trio of Austin Poetsch, Devante Warren and Brandon Williams, while freshman Dakota Iela is one of the teams scoring leaders early this season.
Sophomore center Drew Eubanks gives the team some size with his 6-foot-7 frame.
Id love to see us get up and down the floor more, but we have to prove that we can handle the ball first, Poetsch said.
CENTENNIAL EAGLES
The Eagles return just two players from last years varsity lineup, led by senior guard C.J. Okefor, who has emerged as the teams main scoring threat early this season.
Hes fast and athletic and wants to be the leader, Centennial coach Tim Roupp said. When he finds a rhythm, he shoots the ball well.
Also returning is senior Tanner Mays, while juniors Somto Aniefuna and Jaylon Edwards are also expected to contribute.
Most of these guys havent seen varsity experience yet, so were going to have to get to a point where were handling different situations without calling timeouts all the time, Roupp said. These guys love to be around basketball, its just a matter of fine tuning their skills.
The Eagles are 5-6 through the nonleague season, winning back-to-back games at the Hillsboro holiday tournament after dropping their opener to Forest Grove.
GRESHAM GOPHERS
The Gophers are off to a 7-4 start during the nonleague stretch, already surpassing their win total from all of last season.
Gresham took two of three during the Hillsboro holiday tournament and has shown an ability in crunch time with a 4-0 record in games decided by five points or fewer.
These kids are willing to work on the defensive end and create turnovers, Gresham coach Mike Melton said. Im definitely not having to coach effort, and when you have that on the defensive side it takes the pressure off having to score every possession.
Senior Ethan Hamilton leads the team in the paint, while Austin Spicer and junior Mason McCoy are scoring threats on the perimeter.
Ethan is a force down low and knows how to finish near the basket, but he also has the confidence to step out and hit that 15 footer, Melton said.
Senior Devauntae Hoffman is the teams defensive stopper.
Hes so tough-minded and strong, Melton said. We ask him to defend the best player on the other team, and he relishes that role.