West Linn sophomore Payton Pritchard established a high bar for success early in his high school career, helping lead the Lions to a 6A state title in his freshman campaign. In his second year, he surpassed that bar by leading his team to another state championship, and earning 6A player of the year honors.
Pritchard averaged 18 points and seven assists a game this season, and put Class 6A on notice early in the year. He stood out at the nationally-renowned Les Schwab Invitational in December, where he as named first-team all-tournament and led the field in assists with 6.3 per game. He also demonstrated his flare for the dramatic by sinking a last-second game winner in his final game of the tournament against prospect-rich Whitney Young (Ill.).
"He wanted to prove to people that 'I'm one of the best players in the state,'" said West Linn coach Eric Viuhkola. "At times early in the year he tried to do too much, but that's because he's so competitive. He figured it out on his own...he proved to people that he was good."
After the month of December, the Lions reeled off 20 straight wins en route to their state championship. Pritchard proved to be a lethal floor general throughout the playoffs, capping off the Lions' playoff run with 18 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in the semifinals and 21 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds in the championship game.
The Oregonian 2014 6A Boys Basketball All-State team
Player of the year – Payton Pritchard, sophomore, West Linn
Coach of the year – Erik Viuhkola, West Linn
First team
Payton Pritchard, sophomore, West Linn
Tyler Gutierrez, senior, Sunset
Deante Strickland, junior, Central Catholic
Anthony Mathis, junior, West Linn
Nick Nestell, senior, Sheldon
Second team
Keaton Bankofier, senior, Clackamas
Bryan Berg, senior, Tigard
Ryan Shearmire, senior, West Linn
Collin Huun, senior, South Salem
Eli Lininger, junior, South Eugene
Honorable mention
Jazz Johnson, junior, Lake Oswego
Gage Gubrud, senior, McMinnville
Taylor Harris, senior, Sunset
Reggie Oliver, senior, Lakeridge
Seth Erickson, junior, South Salem
Jordan Alexander, senior, Sheldon
Mitch Herbert, senior, Sheldon
All-State teams were decided by a vote of the state's coaches and compiled by Pete Christopher of The Oregonian.