Top-seeded Barlow boys basketball leads local contingent into state

Published 8:30 pm Saturday, March 1, 2025

March madness is upon us, and four local 6A squads earned their spots in the first round.

The Barlow boys enter the tournament as the top-seeded team, and both Gresham and Sandy clawed their way into the top-32 thanks to their strength of schedule. On the girl’s side, the Bruins are the lone local rep in the tournament, and face a long road trip in round one.

No. 1 Barlow boys

Record: 22-3, 12-2 League

First round: No. 32 Forest Grove, Wednesday, March 5

Players to watch: Senior guard Jalen Atkins, senior forward Brayden Barron, senior forward Mason Bierbrauer

Best wins: 79-72 @No. 2 Tualatin (1/9); 75-55 vs. No. 3 Central Catholic (1/24); 78-68 vs. No. 6 Nelson (2/5)

Last year’s finish: 4th place at state

No. 22 Gresham boys

Record: 10-14, 6-8 League

First round: @No. 11 Jesuit, Wednesday, March 5

Players to watch: Senior wing Khaled Artharee; junior guard Jeremiah Pichon; freshman guard Ter’Rae Foster

Best wins: 61-56 vs. No. 23 Lakeridge (12/10); 70-68 OT @No. 31 Sandy (2/10); 73-66 vs. No. 31 Sandy (2/27)

Last year’s finish: Round 2 at state

No. 31 Sandy boys

Record: 10-15, 3-11 League

First round: @No. 2 Tualatin, Wednesday, March 5

Players to watch: Senior post Jacob Brown; senior forward Brayden Sievertsen; junior wing Jasiah Cochran

Best wins: 61-50 vs. Centennial (12/17); 69-53 vs. Ridgeview (1/10); 68-63 @No. 17 Clackamas (1/14);

Last year’s finish: Round 2 at state

No. 24 Barlow girls

Record: 14-10, 10-4 League

First round: @No. 10 Grants Pass, Tuesday, March 4

Players to watch: Senior forward Rachel Jones; senior wing Lizzy Weber; sophomore wing Marlie Williams

Best wins: 53-47 vs. Canby (12/17); 58-33 vs. Central Catholic (1/24); 59-34 vs. Gresham (2/21)

Last year’s finish: Round 1 at state