6A Top 12 Teams: S. Medford Rises, W. Salem Upsets in Week 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are no undefeated 6A teams left after week 5. The top four teams — Tualatin, South Medford, Benson, and West Linn — are undefeated against Oregon opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the updated 6A Top 12 team rankings from week 5:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DTG4eKaknbR/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DTG4eKaknbR/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who moved in week 5?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Medford rose to No. 2 after winning the Holiday Classic Platinum bracket on Tuesday after defeating Faith Family (TX) 50-36 in the final and Washington's 4A reigning champion A.C. Davis 83-78 in the semifinal on Tuesday and Monday, respectively. The Lady Panthers rose to No. 2 after playing some of their best basketball in Week 5. [player_tooltip player_id='991248' first='Dyllyn' last='Howell'] broke her single-game scoring record (34, 9 3PM), and [player_tooltip player_id='828956' first='Mayen' last='Akpan'] averaged a double-double (16.7 PPG, 11 RPG) at the tournament. In week 5, the Lady Panthers played like one of the two teams that we will be watching in a state title game come March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Read: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/01/holiday-classic-platinum-bracket-top-performers/"><strong>Holiday Classic Platinum Bracket: Oregon's Top 4 Performers</strong></a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson (4-2) rose to No. 3 despite suffering its first losses of the season to nationally ranked teams from California at the Holiday Classic. The Lady Astros fell to Etiwanda 65-69 in a thrilling semifinal after leading most of three quarters, but the Eagles took a 5-point lead late in the fourth and held on to win. Benson went on to lose the consolation game 42-57 against Mater Dei. The Lady Astros look like they have the top frontcourt in 6A with [player_tooltip player_id='1013457' first='Jayla' last='Lackey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='832599' first='Samarah' last='Massey']. Lackey averaged a double-double (13.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG) and Massey averaged 12 points (shooting 52% from the field), 6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game at the tournament. Benson played its best game of the season so far on Monday, and its best looks really good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Read: <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/01/holiday-classic-diamond-bracket-oregons-top-six-performers/?itm_source=parsely-api">Holiday Classic Diamond Bracket: Oregon's Top 6 Performers</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Linn (8-1) drops to No. 4 in the shuffle and after suffering its first loss of the season to Sage Hill (CA), 50-56, in a Holiday Classic semifinal on Monday. The Lions went on to defeat Beaverton 47-39 to win third place in the Emerald bracket on Tuesday. West Linn played a lot of basketball during the winter break (7 games in 12 days), but should be well-rested going into week 6 with nonleague games against Beaverton and Jesuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sherwood (8-2) continues to impress and rises 1 spot to No. 6. The Bowmen defeated Grossmont (CA) 64-43 and lost to Westview (CA) 48-64 to place second in the So Cal Gold Crown WNBA Silver bracket on Tuesday. [player_tooltip player_id='1223907' first='Tenley' last='Bozeman'], an All-Tournament Team winner, put up 25 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 3 steals in the semifinal. Freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1208220' first='Zoe' last='Sanders'] broke Sherwood's single-game assist record with 10 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DS6l-WijgzH/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DS6l-WijgzH/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson (3-6) rises to No. 7 in the shuffle after placing third in the Holiday Classic Sapphire bracket. The Hawks lost to St. Joseph's (CA) 37-59 in the semifinal and defeated Barlow 73-59 in the consolation game. Nelson travels to West Salem on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Salem (5-7) is one of the most confusing teams this season. The Lady Titans lost to unranked Lincoln 43-50 in a consolation game, and then went on the road to defeat Week 4 No. 6 Jesuit 53-48 in a nonleague match. They showed that they can beat a ranked team playing good team basketball. West Salem rose to No. 8, where they started in the preseason rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesuit (7-2) placed second in the Holiday Classic Sapphire bracket after defeating Barlow 75-49 in the semifinals and losing to St. Joseph 58-75 in the finals on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. The Crusaders have two 5A-ranked wins on their resume, but lost to Week 4 No. 12 West Salem 48-53 at home on Friday. Jesuit dropped to No. 9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheldon (10-1) dropped 1 in the shuffle to No. 10. The Irish suffered their first loss of the season, 38-43, to Enumclaw (WA) in a semifinal at the Cactus Jam in Arizona. They went on to win third place after defeating Grace Christian (AK) on Tuesday. Sheldon dominated St. Mary's Academy 50-29 on Saturday. The Irish have a great record, but they still need to build their resume. They host South Medford on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DS6zKm4E1Zp/?img_index=2","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DS6zKm4E1Zp/?img_index=2 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clackamas (7-2) drops 1 spot in the shuffle to No. 11. The Cavaliers are on a 6-game winning streak after defeating Grant 69-45 in the semifinals and Auburn Riverside 58-42 in the finals to win the Holiday Classic Pearl bracket championship on Tuesday. They also defeated a good 5A Lebanon team 71-58 on Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DS6du_Tkafb/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DS6du_Tkafb/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Salem (9-1) drops 1 spot in the shuffle to No. 12. The Lady Saxons defeated Justin-Siena (CA) 66-50 and Valley Christian (CA) 60-41 to take fourth place in a bracket at the Surf N' Slam in San Diego. They also defeated Bend 54-30 on Friday and travel to Oregon City on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DS5rU-dEuu002du002d/?img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DS5rU-dEu--/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: Beaverton (4-7), Century (4-5), and Oregon City (8-2).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who stayed put in week 5?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 1 Tualatin (7-1) suffered its first loss to nationally ranked Etiwanda, 41-51, in the Portland Holiday Classic Diamond bracket finals on Tuesday. The day prior, the Timberwolves dominated nationally ranked Mater Dei 64-43. Tualatin played four competitive opponents — Union, A.C. Davis, Mater Dei, and Etiwanda — over four consecutive days and went 3-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No. 5 Southridge (5-5) picked up two losses in the Holiday Classic Diamond bracket. The Skyhawks fell to Faith Family (TX) 30-63 and A.C. Davis (WA) 49-68. Southridge only has two Oregon opponents on its resume. I haven't seen enough to drop Southridge, and that Camas (WA) win, although very early in the season, is still a significant victory. Metro League play will provide a lot of information.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->