Mt. Hood Conference Players to Watch: 2024/25 Boys Basketball

Published 3:00 am Friday, November 29, 2024

Jalen Atkins, senior guard, Barlow

The crown-jewel of boys hoops in East Multnomah County, the Bruins do-everything guard is set to make a mark in his final season. Atkins is a balanced, three-level scorer, capable of taking over a game with a smooth shooting stroke and ferocious drives into the paint.

He also isn’t afraid to mix-it-up in the paint for rebounds and defend opposing stars.

He has already accumulated plenty of individual hardware and accolades — three-straight all-state honors, despite missing six games last year with an ankle injury — but the senior wants to lead a veteran group of Bruins to lift that championship trophy after ending fourth last year with a 21-7 record.

Jacob Brown, senior post, Sandy

The most skilled big man in the conference this season, Brown is one of those players who gets better each time he takes the court. He blends his size with a knock-down jumper and penchant for being in the right place at the right time on rebounds. With the loss of some talented guards to graduation, there will be more of an onus on the center to perform in more of a “point-forward” role, generating his own shot and getting teammates involved. But one of last year’s first-team all-league recipients should be up to the task.

Khaled Artharee, senior wing, Gresham

A slashing, all-around player who loves to drive to the hoop and draw contact from defenders. He is one of the key components to the Gophers smothering defense, which pressures opposing ball handlers from the moment they get inbounded the ball. Its frenetic, high-energy, chaotic defending that leads to a calm and calculated offense — and a veteran player like Artharee, who earned honorable mention all league last year while averaging 11 PTS and 6 REB, will make sure everything runs smoothly for Gresham.

Isaac Carr, senior wing, Central Catholic

Carr is the engine for the reigning champs thanks to his all-around ability. The 6-foot-4 Carr can play at any spot on the floor the Rams need him with his strong shooting ability, playmaking skills and rebounding tenacity. Carr is heading to Wake Forest next season after originally committing to Oregon. And after missing some time last year in the regular season, look for the senior to bring some pain in the Mt. Hood.

Brayden Barron, senior forward, Barlow

One of the best athletes in East Multnomah County was also blessed with towering size, meaning the Barlow forward can sprint down the court on fast breaks and throw down monstrous dunks. Last year he was a key starter for the Bruins during a deep postseason run, hauling in rebounds and turning back drives with stand-his-ground blocks. He averaged 15 PPG and 8 REB and got second team all-state at the tournament, and has already committed to continue his career in college at Portland State University.

Eddie Szabatin, junior center, Reynolds

A true center at 6-foot-6, Szabatin is big-bodied, able to establish his presence in the paint and pull down rebound after rebound. He has always been a star defender, averaging multiple blocks per game in his first two years on varsity, but his offense is quickly catching up. He is the Raiders main option in half-court sets, and is a strong screener to free up his speedy sharpshooting guards. Last year Reynolds was frustrated by the record not matching the talent on the roster — difficult one-win season — but with Szabatin downlow things should start turning around for the program.

Duce Paschal, senior wing, Central Catholic

Another Division I commit in Paschal, who is heading to Weber State next year, gives the Rams another layer of depth that will be hard to guard. Similar to Carr, the 6-foot-4 Paschal can play anywhere on the floor. He’s shown to be a clutch performer and tenacious on the glass, earning him a spot on the 6A All-Tournament team last season en route to the Rams’ state title.

Kareem Artharee, junior wing, Gresham

Younger brother to Khaled, this isn’t a hidden in the shadow type situation. Artharee brings just as much to the court, offering those similar two-way skills that makes the Gophers one of the most difficult defenses to deal with. He averaged 10 PTS, a number that will increase this season. Last year it all led to a third-place finish, and despite some changes (Coach Corey Lockhart resigned in the offseason citing school safety concerns), the Artharees and new Coach Cliff White should have things on track for another strong finish.

Brayden Sievertsen, guard/forward, Sandy

A defensive-minded guard who put in strong minutes last season as a key player off the bench, helping lead the Pioneers to a fourth place finish in the Mt. Hood Conference, Sievertsen brings that varsity knowledge and leadership to a young squad. He follows the prototype that has brought the Pioneers so much success of late — defensive-minded player he prioritizes getting stops before all else. He also has a nice midrange jumper.

Zamir Paschal, junior guard, Central Catholic

Rounding out the Rams’ deadly trio is the brother of Duce in Zamir Paschal. Zamir made some critical plays all season, but none larger than the run he made in the second half of the state title game a year ago to help lift the Rams to the championship crown. At a mere 6-foot, Paschal is more of a true guard than his brother or Carr, but he still has a solid rebounding knack to go with his above-average shooting and playmaking. Having Zamir set up plays for Carr, Duce or the many other weapons Central Catholic has is going to be a difficult task for anyone as the Rams have hopes of repeating in 2024.

Mason Bierbrauer, senior forward, Barlow

The lanky 6-foot-5 forward is a scoring talent, averaging 15.7 PTS and 6 REB last season. He has quick feet and a smooth stroke, able to fill up the box score despite not always having plays run to him. He is also a talented dunker and three-point shooter, and got an honorable mention all-state last year.

Jackson Satterthwaite, junior wing, David Douglas

The Satterthwaite family have a long tradition in the Scots program with their dad Tyler still an assistant coach. Next in line is Jackson after his older brother Lincoln played a key role last year for the Scots. Jackson is a 6-foot-5 wing and could help bring some identity to a Scots squad that lost quite a bit of talent due to graduation.

Juma Whately, junior guard, Gresham

A strong defender and shooter from deep who has the way cleared for more minutes. Last year he was that impact player off the bench, averaging 8 PTS and 5 REB while bringing bursts of points and energy that would spur positive runs for the Gophers. Now he has a chance to claim his spot in the starting lineup and make even more noise.

Hayden Harding and Justin Brenner, juniors, Sandy

The Pioneers lost a lot of talent on the court from last season, with star seniors eating up a bunch of minutes. But there has been talent waiting in the wings, including Harding and Brenner, who both got valuable varsity experience that has jumpstarted their development. The duo will help Sandy accomplish its “no off nights” mentality and push for another playoff berth.

Blake Hills, senior guard, Barlow

One of the top shooters in the conference should get plenty of daylight this season with all the attention focused on his teammates. Hills is the perfect complement for the Bruins, a catch-and-shoot guru and will feast in the corners. He will provide that burst of scoring whenever Barlow finds itself struggling to get things going. Last year he earned a spot in the starting lineup late in the year thanks in large part to his toughness and willingness to defend.

Jeremiah Pichon, junior guard, Gresham

A talented transfer from Cleveland High School, Pichon is a high-level shot maker who brings toughness and grit to the program. He should fit right in with what the Gophers are building — defense leading to offense. 

G Novelo, senior guard, David Douglas

The 6-foot-1 guard had his moments last year helping the Scots offense with some solid shooting. David Douglas will likely once again want to be a fast-paced squad that gets up a lot of shots and Novelo will be the guy to do that.

Braylon Gaines, sophomore guard, Nelson

Gaines, a 5-foot-11 guard, exploded on the Mt. Hood scene last year, taking over a Hawks team with some impressive offensive skills shooting and playmaking.

Gaines finished with an All-Mt. Hood second team honor as a freshman and was a vital piece in getting Nelson back into the postseason under first-year head coach Daniel Blanks. With both of them back for year two, the Hawks could be an under-the-radar squad in 2024-2025.

RJ Barhoum, sophomore wing, Clackamas

Staying young in Happy Valley, Barhoum is ready to continue what is expected to be a memorable career for the Cavaliers. His sister Sara has already set the bar high for the family as a state champion with the girls team and commitment to Oregon.

RJ hopes to follow a similar path to help the Cavs get out of the bottom portion of the Mt. Hood standings. The 6-foot-3 wing could do it with his strong shooting skills and improving playmaking ability.