4A Greater St. Helens League
Union
Camas
Battle Ground
Evergreen
Skyview
Heritage
Mountain View
BATTLE GROUND: The Tigers opened the year with a couple of wins. Devin Johnson had a double-double in the opener and Nate Morning led the team in scoring in the second game. The Tigers will compete with the best of the best in the 4A GSHL.
CAMAS: Trevor Jasinsky was already a name going into the season. Then he opened the campaign with 31 points in a win over Columbia River. The Papermakers, yes the Papermakers, are getting some credit from other coaches as an up-and-comer.
EVERGREEN: Robert Franks is special. We all know that. He has signed with Washington State. But the Plainsmen are more than just Franks. Jordan Henderson, at 6-8, gives the team a strong 1-2 punch.
HERITAGE: Former Camas coach Scott Preuninger takes over a struggling program. The goals: To make the district tournament and “to compete every day to lay the foundation for years to come,” the coach said.
MOUNTAIN VIEW: The Thunder will go small ball, using four guards at a time to try to create match-up problems. Corey Henderson and Garrett Jones are returning starters.
SKYVIEW: The Storm are better than last year. Now they want to go prove it. Marcus Lord was a first-team, all-leaguer last year. Jason Chaney, now a junior, started every game last year. This team has depth.
UNION: This team passes the eyeball test. One coach of a non-league opponent jokingly asked if the team has any guards. Yes, the Titans are tall. Starting five measures: 6-0, 6-1, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6. Then there are six more 6-footers off the bench. Not just tall. They’re strong, fast, and talented. After a great summer, rest of the state expects big things from the Titans.
3A Greater St. Helens League
Columbia River
Fort Vancouver
Prairie
Kelso
COLUMBIA RIVER: Nathan Hawthorne just keeps driving opponents crazy. He can take over the game on offense or defense. The reigning 3A GSHL player of the year is back. Add to the attack players such as Chad Pedigo and Spencer Long, well, no wonder so much is expected of the Chieftains. Pedigo scored 27 in a win over Union.
FORT VANCOUVER: Break out the Trappers. New coach James Ensley has the team on a roll in December, creating quite the buzz on campus. Jordan Suell can score in bunches, but everyone on the court has the ability to make a play.
KELSO: The Hilanders already have wins over two 2A opponents and one 4A opponent as they prepare for 3A GSHL play.
PRAIRIE: The Falcons return three starters and should have picked up some confidence after beating Camas last week, a couple days after Camas beat Columbia River. Lots of parity, and the Falcons believe they will be in the mix.
2A Greater St. Helens League
Mark Morris
Washougal
R.A. Long
Hockinson
Woodland
Ridgefield
Hudson’s Bay
HOCKINSON: The Hawks are looking to reload after last year’s team qualified for state. The Hawks lost their first three games but got a win over an Australian squad this week to gain some confidence moving forward.
HUDSON’S BAY: Theo Mikaele takes over the program that is now in the 2A GSHL. Expect this to be a building year for the Eagles.
MARK MORRIS: Mark Morris has won at least a share of the league title 14 years in a row. Monarchs return co-MVP Grant Gibb.
R.A. LONG: Team returns only two players who saw significant minutes last season, according to the Daily News. One of them is Payton Miller, who can score in bunchs for the Lumberjacks.
RIDGEFIELD: Defense seems to be the key for the Spudders. They have held opponents to less than 50 points in their first three games.
WASHOUGAL: The Panthers expect to battle for a berth to district with Noah Prangley, Ryan Taylor and Yorro Bah leading the way.
WOODLAND: The Beavers get back to 2A GSHL basketball. They know Mark Morris is the favorite but they expect to be in a battle toward the top of the standings, as well. Jake Rosenbalm was first-team all league last year.
1A Trico League
La Center
King’s Way Christian
Castle Rock
Kalama
White Salmon
Seton Catholic
Stevenson
LA CENTER: After losing two games to bigger schools, the Wildcats opened Trico League play with a 17-point victory over Castle Rock. Will Rice had 27 points in that game. Most coaches expect La Center to be among the best.
KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN: Kienan Walter has turned into one of the top players in the area, regardless of classification. Kyle Gonzales is a three-year varsity starter. Look for King’s Way to compete for a playoff spot.
SETON CATHOLIC: Dylan Cole, CJ Farrell, and Will Noce-Sheldon are three-year varsity players. The team also has five sophomores and a freshman. An interesting mix for the smallest 1A school in the region trying to build a program.
STEVENSON: The Bulldogs lost their first Trico League game of the year, but they have guys who can put the ball in the hoop. Kalani Russell made five 3-pointers in a game this season. Austin Brannon has filled up the stat sheet, as well.
Rest of league: The coaches see Castle Rock, Kalama and White Salmon battling it out for playoff spots.
