3×3 Hoop League Wrap Up: Oregon’s Rising Stars Shine

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After four Sundays of nonstop action, the 3x3 Hoop League has come to a close. The event hosted many of the state's top prospects at the varsity, junior varsity and middle school levels for fast-paced 3-on-3 games using official FIBA rules.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The amount of skill, athleticism and physicality on display made it difficult not to walk away optimistic about the upcoming 2025-26 high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a list of the biggest standouts from the event. In the spirit of covering as many athletes as possible, I've also compiled a list of honorable mentions at the bottom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["839056"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1327194,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f20d0b622c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson played on one of the only teams in the league without a substitute player, but she brought energy, grit and vocal leadership every second she was on the court. On the tall side for her position, Wilson can easily slide to the 3 or the 4 due to her defensive intensity. She cuts to the basket very hard without the ball, and with it, she has the lower body strength to finish off both feet and with both hands through contact. Her jumper, while on the slower side, is technically sound and has a strong follow through. As a sophomore last year, she was a key contributor on a solid Grant team with four seniors. Expect her to turn even more heads as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502353"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1327196,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f20d0b62356"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When it comes to pure shot creation and tough shotmaking, few can compete with Moultrie. The Wilsonville senior showed up to the third and fourth weekends and made a lasting impression with the ridiculous off-balance threes she consistently drained. Her masterpiece came in an thriller against Stayton where she willed her team from seven points down to force overtime. Moultrie also has the ball on a string and displays her quick-twitch athleticism when she drives to the rim. She is a trustworthy leader and just plain fun to watch. Wilsonville is sure to put up a good amount of points this season with her steering the ship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["926278"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1327202,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f20d0b623d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hampton and Moultrie went bucket-for-bucket in the aforementioned Stayton-Wilsonville game, and it was Hampton who came out on top. I counted at least six threes in that game alone — the last of which was the cold-blooded winner in sudden-death overtime. Hampton's game is low to the ground and isn't flashy, but she gets the job done with fundamentals. She threads sharp and accurate bounce passes. She rises to the occasion when matched up against other highly ranked guards and defends them like her life depends on it. She is also capable of difficult off-hand finishes, although she doesn't attempt them often. The reliable combo guard contributed to Stayton's 4A title last year and will attempt to spearhead its title defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["921393"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1327198,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f20d0b6245a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first Wilsonville player to catch my eye wasn't Moultrie — it was her vastly underrated teammate. ElManhawy has said she looks up to Shaquille O'Neal and Draymond Green, and both of their influences are visible in ElManhawy's bruising yet cerebral style of play. She sets sturdy screens, goes up strong on her post moves and is a pest on the offensive glass. She also has the ability to catch the ball in the high post or on the perimeter, scan the floor, and feed cutters on time. ElManhawy and Moultrie play off each other nicely as pick-and-roll, dribble handoff and give-and-go partners, and it's easy to tell that the two have been playing together on varsity for the last three years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1015768"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1327200,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f20d0b624d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watson put on a point guard clinic at the 3x3 Hoop League and showed that she may be the most naturally gifted playmaker in her class. She processes the game faster than her peers, which allows her to regularly pull off unguardable moves. Her spin gather move is quick and creates space for her layups. She has great touch on her scoop shots, floaters and off-hand finishes, and she can flip it up and in softly while running full speed toward the basket. She gets the defense to bite on her fakes, including a beautiful fake handoff on day 4 that freed her up to drive in for an easy score. Watson was one of only two freshmen on Beaverton's varsity team last season, and she certainly looks primed for a breakout sophomore year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were many other players who deserved a shoutout for their performances at the 3x3 Hoop League, so here are my honorable mentions in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Southridge wing [player_tooltip player_id='1231681' first='Camryn' last='Herzberg'] has a methodical pace to her game, but don't get it twisted — she is highly athletic.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>All West Linn's [player_tooltip player_id='832080' first='Kaylor' last='Buse'] does is win. Her relentless offensive attacking and defensive communication make her special.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Clackamas Christian's [player_tooltip player_id='899491' first='Kaylee' last='Turner'] has the handles and quickness of a guard and the height to play any position.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Turner's sister and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='898187' first='Keslynn' last='Turner'] is a remarkably effective interior scorer for her size.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stayton forward [player_tooltip player_id='839071' first='Kathryn' last='Samek'] has great defensive instincts and bothers any shooter within her reach.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Jesuit big [player_tooltip player_id='1013188' first='Ceanna' last='Forney'] blocks tons of shots and flashes improving three point range.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>West Salem's [player_tooltip player_id='1232849' first='Lily' last='Griffin'] is a knockdown shooter from the mid-range and from deep.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->