COTTAGE GROVE LIONS
■ Head coach: Pete LeMay, 2nd year, 4-19 overall
■ 2022-23 season: 4-19 overall, 1-7 Sky-Em League, ranked #31, Missed playoffs
■ State titles: 1 (2010)
■ School colors: Dark Blue and Gold
■ Returning starters: 3
Top returners
■ Mariah Bailey, guard, Soph., 2022-23 starter
■ Jaylee Lima, Guard, Sr., 2022-23 1st-team All-League defense
■ Payton Anlauf, Guard, Sr. Coach says: “Payton is another senior on our team who brings tough on-ball defense and range on the 3-point shot. She is calm under pressure and can play multiple positions for us.”
Notable newcomer
■ Makya Alsup, Forward, Soph. Coach says: “Makya has shown tremendous progress and growth in the offseason. She will make us a more dynamic and athletic team on both sides of the ball.”
Team strengths
■Returning leadership
■Inside/outside game
■Team defense
Top opponents
■Marshfield (1/16 away, 2/2 away)
■Marist (1/19 home, 2/6 away)
Senior Night
■ Feb. 13 vs. North Bend, 5:45 p.m.
■ Pierre’s take: The Lions lost only three seniors from last year. LeMay was hired just before the season last year, so a team with a full offseason of work and multiple key returners should be poised to improve.
Schedule
12/1 vs. Sweet Home, 5:45 p.m.*
12/5 @ Newport, 7 p.m.*
12/8-9 Tournament @ Marist, TBD
12/12 @ Sisters, 7:30 p.m.*
12/14-16 Tournament @ Cottage Grove, TBD
12/20 vs. Yamhill-Carlton, 7:15 p.m.*
12/27 @ Scio, 6 p.m.*
12/28-29 Tournament @ North Marion, TBD
1/2 vs. Phoenix, 5:45 p.m.*
1/6 Tournament @ Junction City, TBD
1/9 vs. Klamath Union, 7:15 p.m.*
1/12 @ Thurston, 6:45 p.m.*
1/16 @ Marshfield, 7:15 p.m.
1/19 vs. Marist Catholic, 7:15 p.m.
1/23 vs. Junction City, 7:15 p.m.
1/26 @ North Bend, 7 p.m.
2/2 vs. Marshfield, 5:45 p.m.
2/6 @ Marist Catholic, 5:45 p.m.
2/9 @ Junction City, 5:45 p.m.
2/13 vs. North Bend, 5:45 p.m.
* = Non-league game
CRESWELL BULLDOGS
■ Head coach: Tyler Hollingsworth, 6th year, 47-63 overall
■2022-23 season: 18-7 overall, 10-2 Mountain Valley Conference, ranked #15, Lost in 1st round vs. Jefferson
■ School colors: Red, White, and Black
■ Boosters: creswellhsboosters.org
■ Returning starters: 3
Top returners
■ Lauren Bailey, Guard/Forward, Sr., 2022-23: 9 PPG, 9 RPG, 2 SPG, 1st-team All-League, 3rd team all-state
■ Dakota Carson, Guard, Sr., 2022-23: 11 PPG, 4 RPG, 3 APG, 3 SPG, 2nd team all-league
Notable newcomer
■ Brooke Moehlmann, Forward, Jr. Coach says: “Brooke has been working really hard all offseason and I’m excited to see her growth.”
Top opponents
■ Dec. 1 at Coquille
■ Dec. 2 vs. Lakeview
■ Dec. 4 vs. Western Christian
Team strengths
■ Athleticism
■ Leadership
Senior Night
■ Feb. 13 vs. Siuslaw, 6 p.m.
■ Pierre’s take: Creswell had its best season under Hollingsworth last year, going 18-7 and making the postseason. Last year’s captains Lauren Bailey and Dakota Carson return as well.
Schedule
12/1 @ Coquille, 6 p.m.*
12/2 vs. Lakeview, 2 p.m.*
12/4 vs. Western Christian, 5:30 p.m.*
12/6 @ Junction City, 7:15 p.m.*
12/8 vs. North Bend, 5:30 p.m.*
12/14-16 Tournament @ Creswell, TBD
12/19 vs. Jefferson, 5:30 p.m.*
12/20 @ Marist Catholic, 4:30 p.m.*
12/29-30 Tournament @ Oakland, TBD
1/3 vs. La Pine, 7:30 p.m.
1/5 @ Elmira, 7:30 p.m.
1/9 vs. Pleasant Hill, 7:30 p.m.
1/12 @ Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m.
1/17 vs. Sisters, 7:30 p.m.
1/23 @ Siuslaw, 7:30 p.m.
1/25 @ La Pine, 6 p.m.
1/27 vs. Elmira, 6 p.m.
1/30 @ Pleasant Hill, 6 p.m.
2/2 vs. Harrisburg, 6 p.m.
2/6 @ Sisters, 6 p.m.
2/13 vs. Siuslaw, 6 p.m.
* = Non-league game
PLEASANT HILL BILLIES
■ Head coach: Paxton Miller, 1st year
■ 2022-23 season: 23-3 overall, 12-0 Mountain Valley Conference, Won MVC, ranked #7, Finished 6th at state tournament
■ School colors: Navy and Gold
■ Boosters: pleasanthill.k12.or.us/resources/community/pleasant-hill-booster-club
■ Returning starters: 2
Top returners
■ Claire Crawford, Forward, Jr., No. 35, 2022-23: MVC Player of the Year, 1st-team all-state. Coach says: “Claire is excellent around the rim, is our best rebounder, and versatile defensively. This season Claire will play inside but also outside, some. She has a great looking shot and a good understanding of gaps and spacing that I feel could really help open some things up for us.”
■ Brooke Weimer, Guard/Forward, Jr., No. 24. Coach says: “As a sophomore Brooke started and was a key contributor throughout the season, primarily on the defensive end. … She is a competitor and instinctually, just very gifted as a basketball player. Will play an even bigger role this season not only on defense, but scoring the ball as well.”
■ Raigan Obie, Guard, Sr., No. 5. Coach says: “Raigan is our only senior and will be one of our two primary ball handlers – spending time at both point guard and the 2 guard. She is a great ball handler, and one of our ball club’s best spot up shooters.”
Notable newcomer
■ Karsyn Stapleton, Guard, Fr., No. 11. Coach says: “Karsyn is a very talented combo-guard. Very versatile scorer. Left-handed but comfortable going both directions. Needs to continue getting reps but she will play a key role for us at numerous spots.”
Team strengths
■ Versatility – expect multiple looks defensively
■ Balance
■ Inside presence
Top opponents
■ Dec. 28 at Corbett
■ Jan. 13 at Henley
■ Nov. 29 at Amity
Senior Night
■ Feb. 9 vs. Elmira, 6 p.m.
■ Pierre’s take: Defending Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year Claire Crawford leads the defending MVC champs into this season, although there’s a new coach at the helm after Kim Beer’s return lasted only a year. Paxton Miller brings lots of experience after serving as a varsity assistant for three seasons at Sheldon High School. Pleasant Hill’s defense was the best in Class 3A last year, but now-graduated wings Kiley Campos and Shyanne Fenley were large contributors that need to be replaced.
Schedule
11/29 @ Amity, 6 p.m.*
12/1 vs. Lakeview, 5 p.m.*
12/7 vs. W. Christian, 5:30 p.m.*
12/9 vs. Coquille, 1 p.m.*
12/14-16 Tournament @ PHHS, TBD
12/28 @ Corbett, 11 a.m.*
12/29 @ Monroe, 4:30 p.m.*
1/3 @ Sisters, 7:30 p.m.
1/5 vs. Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m.
1/9 @ Creswell, 7:30 p.m.
1/13 @ Henley, 4 p.m.*
1/16 vs. Philomath, 6 p.m.*
1/17 @ Siuslaw, 7:30 p.m.
1/19 @ Elmira, 7:30 p.m.
1/23 vs. La Pine, 7:30 p.m.
1/25 vs. Sisters, 6 p.m.
1/27 @ Harrisburg, 6 p.m.
1/30 vs. Creswell, 6 p.m.
2/3 @ Marshfield, TBD*
2/6 vs. Siuslaw, 6 p.m.
2/9 vs. Elmira, 6 p.m.
2/13 @ La Pine, 6 p.m.
* = Non-league game
SPRINGFIELD MILLERS
■ Head coach: Joe WIlliamson, 4th year, 52-20 overall
■ 2022-23 season: 24-5 overall, 12-0 Midwestern League, ranked #1, Won state championship
■ State titles: 3 (2011, ’12, ’23)
■ School colors: Blue and White
■ Boosters: millersathletics.com/springfield-high-school-booster-club/
Top returners
■ Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam, Guard, Sr., 2022-23: Class 5A State Player of the Year, Midwestern League Player of the Year
■ JB Robinson, Guard, Jr., 2022-23: 2nd-team All-state, 1st-team All-league
Top opponents
■ Feb. 15 vs. Clackamas
■ Dec. 9 at Silverton
■ Dec. 14 at Grants Pass
Senior Night
■ Feb. 15 vs. Clackamas, 6:45 p.m.
■ Pierre’s take: The best team in Class 5A a year ago returns most of its key members, including back-to-back state Player of the Year Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam. The team also got multiple transfers from Sheldon, so look for a big target to be on Springfield’s back this season. The Millers were undefeated vs. 5A competition last year, but another tough non-league schedule will test the Millers early.
Schedule
11/29 vs. Canby, 6:45 p.m.*
12/08 @ Sherwood, 7 p.m.*
12/09 @ Silverton, 7 p.m.*
12/14 @ Grants Pass, 5:30 p.m.*
12/18-21 @ Phoenix, Ariz., TBD*
12/28-30 Tournament @ TBA, TBD
1/3 vs. Willamette, 6:45 p.m.*
1/5 @ Crater, 6:45 p.m.
1/9 @ North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
1/12 @ Ashland, 5:30 p.m.
1/16 vs. Churchill, 6:45 p.m.
1/23 vs. Thurston, 5:30 p.m.
1/26 vs. Eagle Point, 5:30 p.m.
2/2 vs. Crater 5:30 p.m.
2/6 vs. North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
2/9 vs. Ashland, 5:30 p.m.
2/13 @ Churchill, 7 p.m.
2/15 vs. Clackamas, 6:45 p.m.*
2/20 @ Thurston, 5:30 p.m.
2/23 @ Eagle Point, 7 p.m.
* = Non-league game
THURSTON COLTS
■ Head coach: Kevin Durfee, 1st year
■ 2022-23 season: 10-14 overall, 5-7 Midwestern League, ranked #19, Missed playoffs
■ School colors: Red, Black, and White
■ Returning starters: 3
Top returners
■ Bailey Tovey, Forward, Sr., 2022-23 1st-team All-league
■ Addison Nelson, Guard, Soph., 2022-23 Honorable Mention All-league
■ Gabi Montes, Guard, Jr., 2022-23 starter
Notable newcomer
■ Olivia Granberry, Post player, Sr.
Team strength
■ Athleticism
Top opponents
■ Springfield (1/23 away, 2/20 home)
■ Crater (1/26 away, 2/23 home)
■ 12/12 vs. Mountain View
Senior Night
■ Feb. 23 vs. Crater, 5:30 p.m.
■ Pierre’s take: Kevin Durfee takes over a program that finished fifth in the Midwestern League a season ago. This season, the MWL has state-title contenders Springfield and Crater, as well as a playoff team in North Eugene that lost zero seniors. It’ll be a tough schedule in league play, but top returners Tovey and Nelson should provide firepower on the offensive end for their first-year head coach.
Schedule
11/29 vs. South Eugene, 6:45 p.m.*
12/1-2 @ Ridgeview, TBD
12/5 @ Lebanon, 7 p.m.*
12/8 @ McNary, 7 p.m.*
12/12 vs. Mtn. View, 6:45 p.m.*
12/14 @ Woodburn, 7 p.m.*
12/19 vs. Marist, 1:30 p.m.*
12/27 @ St. Mary’s Aca., 6 p.m.*
12/29 vs. Roosevelt, 6:45 p.m.*
1/02 vs. Roseburg, 6:45 p.m.*
1/05 vs. Ashland, 5:30 p.m.
1/09 @ Churchill, 7 p.m.
1/12 vs. CGHS, 6:45 p.m.*
1/16 vs. North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
1/19 vs. Eagle Point, 5:30 p.m.
1/23 @ Springfield, 5:30 p.m.
1/26 @ Crater, 5:15 p.m.
2/2 @ Ashland, 5:30 p.m.
2/6 vs. Churchill, 6:45 p.m.
2/13 @ North Eugene, 6:45 p.m.
2/16 @ Eagle Point, 5:30 p.m.
2/20 vs. Springfield, 5:30 p.m.
2/23 vs. Crater, 5:30 p.m.
* = Non-league game
