Southern Oregon Stars: Talent is Here – Time to Take Notice

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southern Oregon has no shortage of basketball talent, and as we head into the 2026-27 season, it's time to start paying closer attention to what's happening in this part of the state.</strong> From standout individual players to teams that consistently play high-caliber, unselfish basketball, the region deserves recognition. Henley is a perfect example of that team-first approach—playing the game the right way, competing at a high level and consistently putting talented players in positions to succeed. Their youth programs are developing the fundamentals in kids that are putting them on a positive trajectory to the next level. There is a lot of basketball worth watching in Southern Oregon, and these stars are just the beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1186484"],"_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":1927602,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db3739456"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there is a headliner on this list, it's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1186484' first='Makayla' last='Schroeder']</strong>. The Henley standout was a <strong>First-Team All-State selection as a sophomore in 2025-26</strong>, and watching her play makes it easy to understand why. Schroeder brings something you simply don't see as much of in today's game: a true, highly skilled post game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Makayla has an answer for just about everything on the block. Her footwork is impeccable, and she consistently uses counters to keep defenders guessing. She can keep a defender on her back, square up and finish, or pin and seal her defender before receiving a well-placed entry pass from her Henley teammates. Once she gets the ball inside, she is extremely difficult to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What makes Schroeder even more difficult to defend is that she isn't limited to the paint. She runs the floor well in transition and can finish on the move, while also showing the ability to pull up for jumpers inside the paint. She is a relentless presence on the offensive glass and has the strength and skill to score even when two or three defenders collapse around her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And if you foul her? That can be just as problematic. Schroeder is an aggressive scorer who gets to the free-throw line and consistently capitalizes on those opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her production speaks for itself. As a freshman, she put up <strong>25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 steals against Yreka</strong>. In the state tournament, she dominated the first-round win over Scappoose with <strong>27 points and 19 rebounds</strong>, then followed it up with <strong>29 points in the third-place game victory over Baker</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schroeder is clearly Henley's go-to scorer, but what stands out most is how many different ways she can hurt a defense. She has the footwork, touch, strength, rebounding ability and basketball instincts to control a game from the interior. In an era where traditional post play has become less common, [player_tooltip player_id='1186484' first='Makayla' last='Schroeder'] is a reminder of just how difficult an elite back-to-the-basket scorer can be to defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gretchen Cheyne","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Henley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db3739519"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gretchen Cheyne is the kind of player every high-level team needs.</strong> Her growth at Henley over the past two seasons has been impressive, and by 2025-26 she had established herself as a consistent contributor on a team that plays some of the best team basketball in 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cheyne brings an incredible combination of <strong>speed, physicality and two-way energy</strong> to the floor. She has a knack for making an impact wherever the game needs her, and when she gets her opportunities offensively, she has shown that she can capitalize. She became a steady tournament contributor last season, putting up <strong>8-9 points in multiple state tournament games</strong> while providing the type of all-around play that helps a team make a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What really stands out to me is her defense. Cheyne is one of the <strong>fastest and most physical players</strong> I have seen at this level, and she has the versatility to defend virtually anywhere on the floor. She can pressure the point, stay in front of quick guards, battle on the wing and use her physicality against bigger players in the post. That ability to guard from <strong>point to post</strong> makes her an incredibly valuable defensive weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her development is also a testament to her competitiveness and willingness to embrace whatever her team needs. Cheyne brings intensity every time she steps on the floor, and her physical style can change the energy of a game. She is the type of player who makes opponents work for everything and gives her own team an edge on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Henley heads into the 2026-27 season, Cheyne is a player I'll be watching closely. With her combination of athleticism, defensive versatility, physicality and growing offensive confidence, she has the tools to make an even bigger impact for one of Southern Oregon's premier teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Paityn Modin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Henley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Central Oregon Force","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db37395a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paityn Modin is coming off a freshman season on a Henley team that made it all the way to the 4A semifinals, and I expect her to have a much bigger role this season.</strong> She's also a multi-sport athlete, opening the fall soccer season with three goals and two assists in a win over Hidden Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the basketball court, Paityn has a phenomenal shot and is a really good passer. She runs the break extremely well and does a great job of seeing the floor and finding her teammates. One thing I really like about her game is her versatility. She played just about every position throughout her youth career before settling into the combo guard role she now plays for Henley. That experience has given her a good understanding of the game from different spots on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's also plenty of basketball history in the Modin family. Her dad coached girls basketball at Klamath Union, her mom was an all-state player at Mazama, and her older sister Kennedi just finished her Henley career as a senior guard and is now heading off to play college basketball. Her dad also has coached many of the successful Henley girls through their youth programs, grabbing multiple back-to-back Oregon Middle School State Championships. Paityn has grown up around the game, and you can see that basketball background in the way she plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I expect Paityn to step into a <strong>primary contributor role for Henley this season</strong>, and I'm excited to see what she does with the opportunity. She has the shooting, passing ability and versatility to make a real impact, and with another year of varsity basketball under her belt, she's a player I'll be watching closely as the 2026-27 season gets underway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Shoshawnee Pappas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Henley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Central Oregon Force","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db373962a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pappas steps into a starting role at the two guard for Henley this season after a breakout summer, but this isn't a player I'm just discovering.</strong> I've watched Pappas throughout middle school, and she has consistently stood out as one of the best players in the state in her class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was named the <strong>2026 OAB 8th-Grade Oregon Player of the Year</strong>, and she carried that momentum right into the summer with Central Oregon Force. At the OBCA Showcase, she picked up wins over Grants Pass, Sheldon, Stayton and Southridge, giving her an opportunity to compete against some strong competition and putting her on even more radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pappas is a true combo guard with good length and a physical style of play. Defensively, she is one of those players who can make life miserable for an opposing guard. She plays hard for <strong>94 feet</strong>, is an elite on-ball defender and isn't afraid to take on the other team's best scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, she has the ability to attack off the dribble and finish through contact, and she's not afraid of big moments. I've watched her make the plays her team needs, whether that means locking someone up defensively, getting downhill and finishing, or knocking down a clutch shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What I really like about Pappas is that she is <strong>fearless</strong>. She plays hard every possession and will do whatever it takes to help her team win. As she steps into a starting role for Henley this season, I'm excited to see what she does with the opportunity. She has already proven herself as one of the top players in her class, and now she gets the chance to show what she can do at the varsity and AAU levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Rylee Paulsen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Crosspoint Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Central Oregon Force","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db37396b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rylee Paulsen is the kind of point guard who understands what winning basketball looks like.</strong> The Crosspoint Christian starter is an all-league performer at the 1A level, and she brings a lot of experience to the floor despite being just a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paulsen has been winning for a long time. She led Henley's youth program to <strong>five straight state championships from fifth through eighth grade</strong>, and she now plays travel basketball with Central Oregon Force alongside Pappas and Paityn Modin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is also a <strong>knockdown shooter</strong> who doesn't seem to shy away from pressure. In a recent game against Central Christian, Paulsen finished with 19 points and five made threes, but the play that really stood out came with just <strong>2.5 seconds left</strong>. With the game on the line, she calmly stepped to the free-throw line and knocked down both shots to seal the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That kind of moment and leadership says a lot about Paulsen. She has the shooting ability to stretch a defense, but she also has the experience and composure to make plays when the game is on the line. As a point guard, those qualities are extremely valuable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another season ahead of her at Crosspoint Christian and continued competition with Central Oregon Force, Paulsen is a player I'll be watching closely. She already has a strong winning background, and her ability to knock down shots while staying composed in big moments makes her a really interesting player to follow as she continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Morgan Samhammer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cascade Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db3739749"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan Samhammer is the type of player who finds a way to impact the game in just about every category.</strong> She was a key contributor for a Cascade Christian team that put together <strong>16 straight wins and captured the 3A Southern Oregon League title</strong> last season, and her all-around game is a big reason she is such a valuable piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samhammer is an active, do-it-all forward who seems to find the ball wherever it is. In a preseason jamboree win over Lost River, she led her team with <strong>nine rebounds</strong> while adding six points and three assists. Later, in a league win over Lakeview, she put together another strong all-around performance with <strong>eight points, four rebounds and three steals</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What stands out is that Samhammer doesn't need to score a lot of points to make an impact. She can rebound, defend, create for her teammates and find ways to contribute offensively, often doing several of those things in the same game. She is the kind of player who can quietly fill up the stat sheet while doing a lot of the work that helps a team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Cascade Christian, having a player like Samhammer who can contribute in so many different areas is a big advantage. She brings activity, versatility and a willingness to do whatever the team needs, and I'll be watching to see how she continues to build on that all-around game this season and as she looks to the next level of play in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bristol Layton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Coquille","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db37397cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bristol Layton is one of the names I'd keep an eye on coming out of Coquille.</strong> She plays with an energy and competitiveness that immediately stand out. She's long, active and seems to find herself around the ball constantly, whether she's making a play defensively, chasing down a rebound or creating an opportunity for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Layton is still early in her varsity career, but there are a lot of things to like about the tools she already has. Her length, activity and natural instincts give her a good foundation, and as she continues to add strength and gain more varsity experience, I think those qualities will really start to show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a player I expect we could be talking about a lot more as the season goes on. <strong>Layton is definitely a name I'll be keeping on my radar, and I wouldn't be surprised to see her continue climbing watch lists throughout the season.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840231"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2db3739814"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840231' first='Jordan' last='Harris'] is the kind of senior you want anchoring your team.</strong> She was a key piece of a Sutherlin team that went <strong>20-9 and advanced through the 3A state tournament</strong>, and her ability to impact the game in multiple ways has been a big part of her value.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is a versatile, hard-nosed player who seems to find a way to contribute wherever her team needs her. In Sutherlin's tournament-ending game against Sisters, she finished with <strong>12 points, a team-high eight rebounds and four steals</strong>. That stat line is a pretty good snapshot of the type of player she is—she can score, rebound, defend and make plays without needing the offense to run entirely through her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What I like about Harris is that she understands how to impact winning beyond putting points on the board. She brings toughness, activity and versatility every time she steps on the floor, and those are the qualities that become especially important when games get bigger and more physical.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As she heads into her senior season, Harris gives Sutherlin an experienced player who can be counted on to do a little bit of everything. <strong>She's a player who can fill up the stat sheet, but more importantly, she finds ways to help her team win.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->