HSSZ: Playoff Previews + Results/Schedules

Boys Basketball

Creswell: 20-4, ranked #7
In the bonus: Creswell’s dominant second-round victory sets up a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday in Coos Bay with No. 2 De La Salle North Catholic (23-3). Despite the No. 2 seed, DLSNC actually won its league, going 3-0 against No. 1 Westside Christian. This puts DLSNC as the favorite to win the whole thing for many, and Creswell needs great teamplay and heroics from stars AJ Hodge, Max Velarde and Connor Hanson to win this one.

Pleasant Hill: 21-5, ranked #8
In the bonus: The Billies head to Coos Bay for the State Championships Thursday-Saturday. Pleasant Hill’s quarterfinal opponent is No. 1 Westside Christian (25-4). Westside beat Pleasant Hill 75-43 earlier this season, and is one of the favorites heading to Coos Bay. If the Billies hope to upset the top-ranked team, they’ll need a performance of a lifetime from Gavin Inglish, and great shooting/defense from guards Matthew Nguyen and Landen Melvin.

Thurston: 13-11, ranked #15
In the bonus: The Colts went 2-0 last week, and likely put themselves into the playoffs because of it. The Class 5A bracket doesn’t come out until Wednesday morning, after deadline. However, as of now Thurston holds one of the two at-large bids. According to head coach Blaine Liberatore, Thurston will likely have an away first-round game against No. 3 Wilsonville or No. 4 Redmond on Saturday.

Girls Basketball

Pleasant Hill: 22-1, ranked #7
In the bonus: The Billies head to the state tournament in Coos Bay Thursday-Saturday. Up first for Pleasant Hill is No. 2 Sutherlin (26-2). This quarterfinal game is a battle of win streaks, with Pleasant Hill on a 20-game roll and Sutherlin winners of 18 in a row. It’s also a clash of styles, as Sutherlin has the No. 1 offense in Class 3A and Pleasant Hill has the No. 1 defense. If the Billies are to win, they’ll need that stellar defense to step up and force turnovers, and they’ll need to capitalize on those turnovers with fast-break points.

Springfield: 20-5, ranked #1
In the bonus: The Millers head into the postseason as the top-seed. As of deadline, the bracket isn’t finished, but based on seeding Springfield’s likely opponent would be No. 18 Ridgeview or No. 14 Canby. Either way, Springfield should be big favorites in the home game on Friday thanks to stars Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam and JB Robinson.