State champions Jefferson have left the CLass 5A ranks to join the Class 6A PIL. Also bolting for the 6A classification are 3rd-place West Albany and 4th-place Sherwood. Does this mean that Class 5A is wide open, or that powerhouse Churchill now has an easy path to a state title?

There will be a very new look at next year’s Class 5A boys basketball state tournament. Of the top 16 teams from the 2013-14 Class 5A boys basketball season, six move up to Class 6A for the 2014-15 season. On top of that, not a single all-state player (10 total) returns, as nine were seniors and the one junior (Kadeem Strictland) moves on with Jefferson.

2013-14 5A Boys Basketball Placing
1st – Jefferson (now 6A)
2nd – Churchill
3rd – West Albany (now 6A)
4th – Sherwood (now 6A)
5th – Madison (now 6A)
6th – Wilsonville
7th/8th – Bend
7th/8th – Eagle Point

Could this be the year that a Central Oregon team makes a run at the title?