Payton Pritchard, Jackson Shelstad … Pat Vialva Jr.? Freshman looks like West Linn’s next great point guard in LSI debut
HILLSBORO — Over the past decade-plus, West Linn has become the premier point guard factory in Oregon.
Payton Pritchard (2012-16) and Jackson Shelstad (2019-23) were four-year starters for the Lions who went on to play at Oregon, and West Linn has once again reloaded at the position with another promising freshman.
Pat Vialva Jr. is flourishing as the heir apparent to Shelstad, including a 22-point performance Wednesday in his Les Schwab Invitational debut. The 5-foot-10 Vialva Jr. said he “100 percent” feels the pressure of being the next-in-line at West Linn, and he’s chosen to embrace it.
“I have just a little pressure on me, you know?” joked Vialva Jr., an affable ninth-grader with a big smile. “I just try to keep my head up at all times and am always happy, no matter what. I smile through everything.”
Vialva Jr. said his dad and West Linn head coach Robert Key have been his two biggest supporters this season. The Lions are off to a 3-4 start after going 28-2 a season ago, but the young team is continuing to grow each game.
“My dad is always telling me, ‘You’ve got this, son. Don’t worry about it,’” Vialva Jr. said. “My dad and Coach Key are lifting me up all the time.”
Vialva Jr. displayed his advanced offensive game in Wednesday’s 60-57 loss to Mt. Spokane, leading all players with 22 points. He flashed a strong midrange game while going 11 of 14 from the field and picked up two steals on defense.
“He is a fearless competitor with a big-time skillset,” Key said of his new point guard.
Vialva Jr. said he’s met Shelstad only once as both are always busy playing basketball somewhere. He’s also had just one or two interactions with Pritchard, whom Vialva Jr. called “another great guy who is always happy.”
“Payton gave me a lot of advice, for sure,” Vialva Jr. said. “He was such a nice guy and a great guy to be around. … I don’t know Jackson much, but he was a great guy the one time I did talk to him.”
Like many young basketball players in Oregon, Vialva Jr. dreamed of one day playing in the LSI. He recalled watching Mater Dei’s Spencer Freedman compete at Liberty High School in 2017 along with other superstars.
Vialva Jr. didn’t get to witness any of West Linn’s historic 2022 LSI title run because of tournament obligations of his own, but he couldn’t be happier to be back in the gym as a player.
“Every time I came here, it was the best thing ever and I was like, ‘I want to play in this tournament!’” Vialva Jr. said. “And freshman year, we’re getting to do it. I just love playing basketball, man.”
