Les Schwab Invitational Preview

The 2013 Les Schwab Invitational will be held in Hillsboro, Oregon from December 27-30.  The field features 12 of the best teams in Oregon along with four national powerhouse squads.  The premier tournament in the Pacific Northwest began in 1996 as the Oregon Holiday Invitational, and was rebranded in 2000 as the Les Schwab Invitational.

Many future NBA players have participated in the event including Kevin Durant, Roy Hibbert, Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Jennings, Kemba Walker, Ty Lawson, Greg Monroe, Nolan Smith, and JJ Hickson.  Oregon natives to play in the tournament include Kevin Love, Kyle Singler, Mike Dunleavy, Salim Stoudamire, Terrence Jones, and Terrence Ross.

This year’s field includes these Oregon teams:

Beaverton Beavers.  6’1″ senior Martin Tannler leads a balanced squad.

Central Catholic Rams.  State runner up at the 6A tournament last year.  This squad needs time to round into basketball shape after four starters recently finished played on the state championship football team.  No single star, but young talent La’Mar Winston is one to watch.

Churchill Lancers.  Don’t sleep on this talented 5A team, led by Humboldt State recruit Malik Morgan and David Shedrick, headed to Northwest Nazarene.  A 7’1″ center in the middle in Matt Hayashi.

Clackamas Cavaliers.  A tall and balanced team.  Front line features 6’7″ Keaton Bankofier.  Talented backcourt of Raekwon Mingledoff and sophomores guards Mitchell Fink and Beau Gunderson.

Grant Generals.  Features the supremely talented 6’6″ wing Deiondre Bird.  Grant also receives solid play from 6’4″ senior Dylan Leonard.

Jefferson Democrats.  The 5A champs are loaded with athletic talent and led by 6’3″ Gonzaga commit Silas Melson, a smooth and heady combo guard.  Already have a big win over defending 6A champs West Linn.

Jesuit Crusaders.  Jesuit lost several key players to graduation but should remain solid with senior leadership from Daniel Nelson, Jordan Blue and post Jack Nadelhoffer.  Juniors Ryan Bay and Reid Bucy round out a balanced attack that seems to compete well no matter who Gene Potter plugs in from game-to-game, year-by-year.

Lake Oswego Lakers.  Would be a rebuilding year after graduating so many top players including Calvin Hermanson and Connor Griffin.  However, transfer and University of Portland commit Jazz Johnson helped the Lakers reload quickly.  They have momentum from a tournament win in California last week.

South Eugene Axemen.  Anchored by do-it-all player and double-double machine Eli Lininger, a 6’5″ forward committed to Yale.

Sunset Apollos.  Sunset benefits size and plenty of experience on a senior-heavy roster, including 6’8″ Tyler Gutierrez.

Tigard Tigers.  Tigard is led by point guard Brian Berg and 6’7″ post Joel Johnson.

West Linn Lions.  The returning 6A champs are loaded, led by nationally ranked sophomore point guard Payton Pritchard and smooth junior shooting guard Anthony Mathis.  The post is held down by 6’5″ senior Ryan Shearmire who this week committed to the University of Chicago.

Out of State teams include:

Bishop Gorman Gaels (Las Vegas, NV).  This is a ridiculously talented team featuring two top flight juniors Stephen Zimmerman (7’0″) and Chase Jeter (6’10”).

Rainier Beach Vikings (Seattle, WA).  One of the best Seattle teams in a long time.  Includes Louisville commit Shaqquan Aaron, Dejounte Murray, Djuan Piper.

Timberline Blazers (Lacey, WA).  Features Washington commit Donaven Dorsey.

Whitney Young Dolphins (Chicago, IL).  Features consensus #1 overall 2014 player Jahlil Okafor, a 6’10” center committed to Duke.  Paul Young, a 6’8″ forward committed to Georgetown adds size and skill to the front line.

First round matchups are critical in this tournament.  If you win, you move to the right in the champions bracket.  If you lose your first game, you move left into the consolation bracket.  We will follow the action and report on Facebook and Twitter.

Oregon Hoops