With the 2025-26 Oregon high school basketball season past the midway point, we’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the best boys players in the state.
We continue our look at the top forwards in 6A. Part 2 of the list focuses on the best forwards and wings in the Three Rivers League, Central Valley Conference and Southwest Conference. (Part 1 of the list featured the standout forwards from the PIL, Metro League, Pacific Conference and Mt. Hood Conference.)
We asked every 6A coach in the state to tell us about their star players through the first half of the season. These lists were compiled based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.
Think you belong on this list? Encourage your coach to respond to requests for information about the team! We will continue to add to these lists throughout the month.
(Note: North Medford coach Scott Plankenhorn and South Medford coach James Wightman declined to identify any standout players on their rosters.)
All statistics are as of mid-January. Check back soon for the poll in which we’ll ask fans to vote for which of these forwards is the best of the best. If you have a photo of a player you would like to share, email jhumburg@advancelocal.com.
BEST FORWARDS IN 6A OREGON BOYS BASKETBALL
Logan Baertsch Kovalchick, jr., Lakeridge
Baertsch Kovalchick received all-Three Rivers League honorable mention as a sophomore. He’s averaging 12 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in league play this season, and he leads the team in one of Pacers coach Jimmy Watts’ favorite categories — charges taken. “He is one of our best all-around players on the team who can score, play defense and do all of the hustle plays that keep us in games,” Watts said.
Quinton Bailey, sr., Tigard
Bailey is a first-year letterman who has been invaluable to the Tigers. “He leads the team in scoring at the midway point, and he leads the team in 3-pointers made,” Tigard coach Stu Bailey said.
London Butler, so., Sprague
Butler played on the JV team as a freshman. Now? “He is a starter and captain of the team,” Olympians coach Tyler Lewis said. Butler is averaging seven points and five rebounds per game.
Gerrit Cupp, sr., Sheldon
Cupp is averaging seven points, five rebounds and two steals per game. “He brings toughness, athleticism and elite defensive ability to our team,” Irish coach Brian Brancato said. “He is often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player and consistently makes a major impact on that end of the floor.” It’s all part of his team-first attitude. “He stands out as a selfless, caring teammate who will do whatever the team needs to win,” Brancato said.
Tyson Donnerberg, jr., West Linn
Donnerberg is averaging 11.4 points and six rebounds per game. “Tyson is a slasher who can get to the paint with the ball,” Lions coach Travis Myers said. “He has sneaky athleticism that shows up when he is attacking rebounds.”
Brayden Fleener, sr., South Salem
Fleener is the Saxons’ all-time leader in blocked shots. He’s averaging 2.5 per game this season, along with six points, seven rebounds and 1.5 steals. “Brayden is the backbone of our pressure package defensively,” South Salem coach Kip Ioane said. He received honorable mention all-Central Valley Conference as a junior.
Kai Holmes, sr., Sheldon
Irish coach Brian Brancato describes Holmes as “a 6-foot-6 wing who brings versatility, skill and a high basketball IQ to our lineup. He is a talented scorer who can shoot and score at all three levels, while also making a strong impact defensively with his length and instincts.” Holmes is averaging 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block per game. His attitude is even more impressive than his numbers, according to his coach. “He stands out as a dependable teammate and person who competes and does whatever is needed to help the team succeed,” Brancato said.
Lane Isham, jr., Sprague
“Lane was a swing player for us last season and is now a starter,” Olympians coach Tyler Lewis said. He’s averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game.
Blake Lampert, jr., West Linn
Lampert is averaging 12.5 points per game and has, in the words of Lions coach Travis Myers, “stepped up” as other starters have missed time because of injury. “He is a smooth driver of the ball and is a skilled finisher at the rim,” Myers said. “He is a long 6-foot-2 and is tough to stay in front of.”
Takeo McCrae, sr., Tualatin
McCrae joined the Timberwolves after transferring from Millennium High School in Arizona. “He is one of the best on-ball defenders and has the ability to score 15 points per game,” Tualatin coach Bubba Lemon said.
Kyle Nichols, sr., Lakeridge
Nichols can catch fire from the outside, such as when he nailed five 3-pointers to help the Pacers beat Tigard. He’s averaging 10.7 points per game. “Kyle is an extremely good shooter and helps add instant offense from beyond the arc,” Lakeridge coach Jimmy Watts said. “His ability to stretch the floor and his basketball IQ help add a huge plus to our offense anytime he is on the floor.” That’s not all. “In addition to his basketball abilities, he is the ultimate teammate that everyone respects,” Watts said.
Cameron Perry, sr., South Eugene
Perry, who received all-Southwest Conference honorable mention as a junior, is averaging 15 points and six rebounds per game while simultaneously having responsibilities in the paint and handling the ball. “Cameron is the heart of our team in a lot of ways as he is an incredibly hard worker, dedicated teammate and positive influence on everyone around him,” Axe coach George Zaninovich said. As of midseason, Perry was shooting 46 percent from 3-point range on more than 60 attempts. “He is hoping to get his shot at a local community college,” Zaninovich said.
Liam Rigney, sr., Lake Oswego
Rigney is a returning first-team all-Three Rivers League player. He is the Lakers’ leading scorer at 22.5 points per game, and he gets them in a variety of ways. “He’s one of the most talented scorers in the state,” Lake Oswego coach Tully Wagner said. “Liam is incredibly efficient from 2 at 59 percent but also knocks down 1.5 3’s per game.” He’s also the team’s leading rebounder at 7.3 per game and serves as a team captain and leader. “Liam has a ton of college interest at various levels and is trying to decide where best to play next season,” Wagner added.
Alarion Scott, jr., Oregon City
Scott made the all-Three Rivers League second team as a sophomore. He’s averaging 10 points per game this season. “Alarion is a versatile inside/outside player who is an efficient scorer and offensive rebounder,” Oregon City assistant coach Colton Sundquist said.
Ryan Skinner, sr., McNary
Skinner is averaging nine points and four rebounds per game, and he’s shooting 60 percent from the field. “Ryan is the heart and soul of our team,” Celtics coach Ryan Kirch said. “He is tough and competitive and does all the dirty work teams need to be successful.”
Jack Tycast, sr., West Linn
Tycast has been one of the Lions’ saviors with several key players sidelined. “He has been a steady presence through all the injuries,” West Linn coach Travis Myers said. “He can score inside, can knock down the 3. Able to defend multiple positions and rebound at a high level.” Tycast is averaging 13 points per game.
Brady Watts, so., Lakeridge
Watts is one of the Pacers’ tallest players at 6-foot-4. He missed eight games early in the season with an AC joint strain. “Brady is settling in and becoming the key contributor we saw during the summer and fall,” Lakeridge coach Jimmy Watts said. “He provides essential size and rebounding we were missing for much of the season.” His physical presence was vital in a win against Roosevelt, when he recorded nine rebounds. He has also had some big games on offense, such as a 15-point performance to help the Pacers beat West Linn.
Calvin Yoder, sr., South Eugene
Yoder is averaging 13 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. “Calvin is a forward with a great mid-range game and can hit threes with consistency,” Axe coach George Zaninovich said. “He is an emerging leader who has battled through injuries and continues to work as hard as anyone.” Yoder received honorable mention all-Southwest Conference as a junior.
Branson Young, so., Grants Pass
Young suffered a broken foot before his freshman season, and he played the second half of the campaign for the JV team. “We thought he would contribute this year, but he has exceeded expectations,” Cavemen coach Nate Olson said. “He has become a regular starter and key contributor.” Young is averaging nine points and five rebounds per game. “His high energy, high motor is tough for opponents to keep up with and makes him one of the best offensive rebounders in our league,” Olson said.
For complete coverage of Oregon high school sports, including schedules, scores, recruiting news and additional player spotlights, visit OregonLive’s high school sports section throughout the season.
