Oregon’s best high school boys basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 5A Midwestern League (Part 1)
By Bob Lundeberg
Over the next two weeks, we'll be taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state's top high school basketball players. Here's Part 1 of the Midwestern boys list. Check back soon for Part 2.
Every league has numerous standout players, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Let us know which other players you think should be added to the list.
Samaje Morgan (Churchill) photo by Taylor Balkom
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Ashland
G/F Hawthorn Lapierre, sr., 6-8
Despite his size, Lapierre is perfectly capable of playing on the perimeter for Ashland. The 6-foot-8 senior is averaging 20 points and seven rebounds per game. Head coach Sam Osofsky said Lapierre scores nearly 10 points per game in the paint. “He is a team captain and a team leader,” the coach added. “Hawthorn is a long, athletic defender with great timing.”
F Egan Shields, jr., 6-10
Shields is more of a traditional big man who runs the floor very well for a 6-foot-10 forward. He is averaging 10 points, seven rebounds and one block per game. “Egan is a versatile defender. He has great timing and uses it to alter shots,” Osofsky said. “He is also an efficient scorer shooting above 60 percent from the field.”
G Toby Barnes, sr., 6-1
A senior point guard, Barnes is doing a little of everything with averages of six points, four rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He is also a team captain and senior leader for the Grizzlies. “Toby is a disruptive defender who averages 2.9 deflections per game,” Osofsky said. “He is a pass-first point guard who … only takes 4.1 shots a game.”
Churchill
G Samaje Morgan, sr., 5-9
Morgan, a varsity player since his freshman season, is off to a good start as a senior. The lightning-quick guard is averaging 20 points, five assists and three steals per game. Head coach Kelly Bokn said Morgan holds a scholarship offer from College of Idaho. “Samaje is a very dynamic point guard,” Bokn said.
F Cooper Case, jr., 6-4
A versatile 6-foot-4 forward, Case is a strong two-way player for the Lancers. “He is having a nice season thus far,” Bokn said. “Cooper is just a glue guy for us.”
F Pete Pennington, jr., 6-5
Pennington is a big-bodied junior who has impressed Bokn all season. The 6-foot-5 forward is also a tight end for Churchill’s football team. “Pete provides some beef for us and a rebounding presence,” Bokn said.
Crater
G Colton Vranes, sr., 6-0
One of the most experienced players in the Midwestern League, Vranes is averaging a team-leading 14.8 points per game as a senior. He is also dishing out 3.4 assists per game while holding his own on the defensive end. “Colton is a 75 percent free throw shooter and is shooting 60 percent on twos,” head coach Brian Broaddus said.
G Javon Smith, sr., 5-11
Another senior starter, Smith is putting up 6.3 points while grabbing around four rebounds per game. “Javon is a very good on-ball defender for us,” Broaddus said.
G Caden Lasater, sr., 5-11
Lasater is a 92 percent free throw shooter who averages 6.7 points and 2.1 steals per game. “Caden is a great defender and he is our toughest kid,” Broaddus said.
W Tate Broesder, sr., 6-5
The biggest member of Crater’s starting lineup, Broesder is the team’s second-leading scorer at 11.8 points per game. He also contributes in rebounding at 5.5 per game. “Tate shoots 53 percent on twos and 40 percent on three-pointers,” Broaddus said.
W Logan Price, sr., 6-3
The final member of the Comets’ starting five, Price is a strong two-way player who averages 6.3 points per game. “Logan is also our leading rebounder at 6.4 per game,” Broaddus said.
