5 Players to Watch in the POA Holiday Classic
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From December 28-30, there will be tons of awesome games going on at several Portland high schools that are hosting this year’s Pacific Automation Holiday Classic. There is an Open Division as well as six other brackets that are being…
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Continue ReadingFrom December 28-30, there will be tons of awesome games going on at several Portland high schools that are hosting this year’s Pacific Automation Holiday Classic. There is an Open Division as well as six other brackets that are being played with some of the best teams from Oregon, Washington, and California. Here are 5 Oregonian players to keep an eye on during this super fun event.
Avery Peterson
Avery Peterson
Yet another immense talent out of Clackamas, Avery Peterson is one of the premier guards on one of the best teams in the state. The junior carries the majority of the point guard duties for the Cavs and does an incredible job running their offense, especially with her elite ability to push the ball with pace. In addition, she has a beautiful, textbook shot, and she also uses her quickness and awareness to play great on-ball defense and create steals for her team. Peterson and the undefeated Cavs are in for multiple tests as they are in the Open Division of the POA Holiday Classic this weekend, the most competitive division. They play Thursday, 12/28 at 8pm against Etiwanda (CA); Friday, 12/29 at 6:30pm against Benson; and Saturday, 12/30 at 8pm against Archbishop Mitty (CA).
Arosemena, who is committed to Western Washington’s powerhouse program for next season, is one of the top talents in the state of Oregon. At 6’0 and with her size and strength, she often plays down low for the Timberwolves, but don’t be fooled, Arosemena has all of the skills and athleticism needed to play any position on the floor. She is a force on the boards and has the mature ability to quickly turn and find a teammate down the floor after pulling in a rebound. Another impressive skill of hers is her midrange game, particularly her ability to create her shot off the dribble, even in a key that looks congested. She and Tualatin are playing in the Diamond Bracket. They won an extremely close game over Grants Pass today, and head into a battle with Roosevelt (WA) tomorrow (12/29) at 8pm, with their final game on 12/30 currently TBD pending the result of tomorrow’s game.
Highlights
Indie Browning Indie Browning 5'8" | CG Beaverton | 2024 State OR
Indie Browning Indie Browning 5'8" | CG Beaverton | 2024 State OR
Another senior who is headed to play at the next level next season, Browning has so much to offer as a basketball player and will undoubtedly make an instant impact at Montana State next year. What is immediately striking about Browning’s game is her relentless motor. She not only pushes the ball at the point guard position with incredible speed, but she is perhaps one of the best on-ball defenders in the state where she shows off her quick hands and her competitiveness. Not to mention, she is capable of scoring at all three levels. Browning was a key member of the Beavers’ state championship run two seasons ago for which she won Sixth Woman of the Year. She and the Beavers are in the Platinum Bracket. They lost their first game to West Linn earlier today, and head into a matchup with Cleveland tomorrow (12/29) at noon with their final game on 12/30 dependent on the result.
A season ago, Day led 1A Damascus Christian to a state title and was named first team all-tournament as well as first team all-state… as a freshman. With Damascus not having enough to field a team this season, Day transferred to the brand new Nelson High School where she is picking up right where she left off. Day’s scoring ability is undeniable, as she is averaging over 10 points per game in the first few games of her sophomore campaign, but perhaps even more impressive are her abilities to put up big contributions in just about every statistical category, particularly rebounding. In their win over a talented Cleveland team, Day had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists for an overall impressive performance. Hers will be a name we will be hearing quite a bit over the next three years. Nelson is competing in the Emerald Bracket of the POA Holiday Classic. They already had a big win over Annie Wright (WA) today, and they have an exciting matchup with Southridge tomorrow (12/29) at 8pm that will be a test for this young team, and will also determine who and when they play on 12/30.
Riley Morris-Rexford Riley Morris-Rexford 5'9" | SF Sunset | 2024 State OR
Riley Morris-Rexford Riley Morris-Rexford 5'9" | SF Sunset | 2024 State OR
Morris-Rexford plays how every coach wants their players to play. As a senior and captain on this year’s Sunset team, her basketball intelligence is obvious from only a few minutes of watching her as is her hustle and her ability to contribute in every possible way. She is a scrappy rebounder, a smart and savvy passer, comes up with huge blocks and steals on the defensive end for the Apollos, and is one of their leading scorers most games. Morris-Rexford also plays both in the wing spot as well as goes to work down low for her team. In their game against Lakeridge, she had 15 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block which is an amazing stat line by any standards. She and Sunset are playing in the Sapphire Bracket this weekend. They play Camas in their opening game at 6pm on Thursday, 12/28. Their following two games on 12/29 and 12/30 will rely on the results of their games.