THURSTON VS. SHELDON
■ Just the facts: The Class 5A Colts take on the Class 6A Irish at McArthur Court at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6
■ Tipping off: Teams from different classes facing off is a theme of the eight-game slate at McArthur Court on Saturday. The Colts had an undefeated league season last year and still has a level of size and physicality that is matched by few other 5A teams. Colts head coach Blaine Liberatore’s team will be led by reigning MWL Player of the Year Lucas LaBounty. While Thurston’s top dog returns, Sheldon’s two top scorers from a year ago graduated. Sheldon coach Brian Brancato led the Irish to 20 wins last year for the first time since 2016.
PLEASANT HILL VS. RIDGEVIEW
■ Just the facts: The Class 5A Ravens take on the Class 3A Billies at McArthur Court at 4 on Saturday, Dec. 6.
■ Tipping off: Two former Oregon Ducks return to “Mac Court’ as coaches. The matchup between Luke Jackson and Maarty Leunen is the headliner of the eight-game event. The Billies lost Gavin Inglish, a first-team all-state player who finished 60th in Oregon high school career points. However, the Billies return significant production from the team that made it to the state title game a year ago, including first-team all-league guard Landen Melvin. Both coaches have sons on the teams in their freshman years. Leunen’s other son, Gavin, was named conference defensive player of the year as a sophomore.
– Eli Thomas, The Chronicle
