Oregon’s best high school boys basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 5A Midwestern League (Part 2)

We're taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state's top high school basketball players. Here's Part 2 of the Midwestern boys list.
Oregon’s best high school boys basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 5A Midwestern League (Part 2)
Oregon’s best high school boys basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 5A Midwestern League (Part 2) /

We're taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state's top high school basketball players. Here's Part 2 of the Midwestern boys list. (Read Part 1 here.) 

Every league has numerous standout players, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Let us know which other players you think should be added to the list.

Eagle Point

W Brennen Neyt, sr., 6-4

A senior leader for upstart Eagle Point, Neyt is averaging 19.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game. Head coach Ryan Marrs said Neyt is being recruited by Pacific University. “He dribbles well with both hands, is a great finisher at the rim and can shoot from anywhere on the floor,” Marrs said.

G Alejandro Redondo, sr., 5-8

Redondo, who goes by the nickname “Mickey,” is a two-way point guard and superb on-ball defender. The senior is averaging 10.2 points, 5.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game. “He has a very good handle and great vision,” Marrs said. “He can distribute and shoot the deep three ball.” 

P Tommy Johnson, sr., 6-0

Though undersized on most nights, Johnson uses his physicality and intelligence to succeed on both ends of the court. He is putting up 5.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.1 steals as a senior while taking one charge per game. “He has an excellent basketball IQ and can guard all positions on-ball and help-side,” Marrs said. “He is a good rebounder … and has a nice inside-outside game.” 

North Eugene

W Devon Anderson, jr., 6-2

Anderson is an athletic wing who has been North Eugene’s most consistent scorer this season. The junior is also a standout defender. “He consistently takes on the challenge of guarding the other team’s best player,” head coach Blake Gee said. “Offensively, he is at his best attacking the rim, but he has started to shoot it better from the perimeter.” 

F Derek Vaughn, sr., 6-3

A senior forward, Vaughn is one of the Highlanders’ toughest players. He is an adept rebounder despite standing just 6-foot-3. “He is often defending bigs on the other team that have both height and weight on him,” Gee said. “Offensively, Derek has developed into our most consistent three-point shooter this season.”

G Joey Banry, so., 5-9

Banry is a sophomore point guard who has shown immense growth during his first season at the varsity level. He is a solid shooter with great vision who also handles the ball well. “He is almost always in control and shows a lot of poise for a sophomore,” Gee said. “On the defensive end, he does a good job of being in the right spots and working to make things difficult for the other team’s point guard.” 

W Ethan Sims, jr., 6-4

A senior leader for North Eugene, Sims is one of the best shooters in the Midwestern League. He has received more attention from opposing defenses this season and has not shot the ball as well. “This has forced him to grow other areas of his game to help contribute,” Gee said. “We expect his shot to get going eventually, and he should have a great year once that happens.” 

Springfield

G Anthony Hill, sr., 6-1

A three-year varsity starter, Hill is putting up 13 points and six rebounds per game as a senior. Head coach Crosby Green said Hill is a college prospect who remains uncommitted. “Anthony is a solid, athletic, all-around player who can do a little bit of everything,” Green said. 

W Jordan Vega, sr., 6-2

Also a football player, Vega has been a member of Springfield’s varsity basketball team since his freshman season. He is averaging nine points per game this winter. “Jordan has a high basketball IQ player,” Green said. “He’s capable of playing multiple positions with good court sense.”

Thurston

F Jake Newell, sr., 6-5

Newell missed the first chunk of the season due to injury but returned to the lineup in January. “We were 0-7 without him and won our first two games with him back,” head coach Blaine Liberatore said of Newell, who averaged 24.5 points and 15 rebounds in the two wins. The 6-foot-5 senior is a three-star football prospect who signed with Arizona State.

G Lucas Stutesman, sr., 6-1

A senior guard who also started in the spring, Stutesman is averaging 8.5 points per game but scored a season-high 19 in a win over North Eugene. “He is also averaging about two steals per game and is shooting 80 percent from the free throw line,” Liberatore said. 

G Miguel Perez, sr., 6-0

Perez is a three-year varsity starter who is putting up five points, two steals and two assists per game as a senior. “Miguel also played defensive back for the football team,” Liberatore said. 

F Nate Stiffler, fr., 6-4

Stiffler is a talented freshman who forced his way into the starting lineup. He is averaging nine points and four rebounds per game. “Nate had a 20-point game against Willamette earlier in the season,” Liberatore said. 


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