Top Matchups in Final Week of 6A League Play
Where things stand in each of the seven 6A conferences
It’s the final week of league play in 6A girls basketball. Jefferson and Willamette clinched their respective league titles, but five remaining conferences have yet to determine their champions.
Metro is the most exciting as four teams — Southridge, Jesuit, Beaverton, and Mountainside — are vying for the league title. Central Valley rivals South Salem and West Salem will play a tie-breaker for first place on Tuesday. Undefeated Clackamas, Tualatin, and McMinnville are each one game ahead of their second-place opponents.
Many teams are still competing for one of the 32 spots in the 6A state playoff bracket. The top three teams in each 6A league earn an automatic bid and the next top 11 OSAA-ranked teams earn an at-large bid. The 6A state bracket will be set on Friday night.
Here are the best matchups this week and where things stand on Monday in 6A:
Portland Interscholastic League
Jefferson (23-1, 15-0) clinched the PIL title and earned an automatic bid to the state playoffs along with Benson (19-4, 13-2) and Grant (16-7, 11-3).
Ida B. Wells (15-8, 8-6) and Lincoln (14-8, 7-7) continue to compete with other 6A teams around the state for one of the 11 at-large bids.
Metro League
Jesuit @ No. 9 Southridge | 7:00 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 25
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Beaverton @ Mountainside | 7:00 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 25
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No. 9 Southridge @ Mountainside | 6:00 PM, Friday, Feb. 28
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Beaverton @ Jesuit | 5:30 PM, Friday, Feb. 28
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The final week of the Metro League is packed with competitive matchups, and the top four teams have a path to the league title. Southridge (15-7, 7-1) stands in first, Jesuit (12-9, 6-2) and Beaverton (11-11, 6-2) in second, and Mountainside (15-7, 5-3) in fourth.
Southridge and Jesuit are in control of their destiny. If the Skyhawks win out, they will win the Metro League title outright. If the Crusaders win both remaining games, they will at least share the title with Southridge. Beaverton needs two wins and a Southridge loss. Mountainside needs two wins and two Southridge losses.
The fourth-place team could still earn an at-large bid.
Pacific Conference
No. 7 McMinnville @ Century | 7:15 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 25
Watch Live: NFHS Network
Century (19-3, 9-1) has the home-court advantage against undefeated McMinnville (17-5,10-0) on Tuesday night for a chance to share the Pacific Conference title with the Grizzlies. McMinnville defeated the Jaguars 69-61 in the first meeting between the teams.
McMinnville and Century earned automatic bids to the state playoffs. Forest Grove, Newberg, and Sherwood continue to compete for at-large bids.
Mt. Hood Conference
Nelson @ No. 1 Clackamas | 6:00 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 25
Watch Live: NFHS Network
Nelson (14-6, 11-1) is the underdog on the road against Clackamas (21-2, 12-0) on Tuesday night. The Cavaliers won the first matchup 88-49 at Nelson. But there’s always a game within the game to be won. Whether they win or lose on the scoreboard, the Hawks have the opportunity to fight hard and play smart until the end to prepare for the post-season.
Clackamas, Nelson, and Barlow earned automatic bids to the state playoffs. Central Catholic can earn an at-large bid.
Three Rivers League
No. 2 Tualatin @ No. 8 West Linn | 5:30 PM, Friday, Feb. 28
Watch Live: NFHS Network
Tualatin (21-1, 11-0) clinched at least a share of the Three Rivers League and earned an automatic bid to the state playoffs along with West Linn (16-7, 9-1) and Oregon City (12-9, 6-3). The Lions will host the Timberwolves in their final league game on Friday. It should be a good matchup between two of 6A’s top-ten teams. West Linn has the chance to become league co-champion on Senior Night.
Tualatin and West Linn earned automatic bids to the state playoffs, and Oregon City can earn an automatic or at-large bid.
Central Valley Conference
West Salem @ South Salem | 7:45 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 25
Watch Live: NFHS Network
South Salem will host West Salem on Tuesday night for a tie-breaker between the crosstown rivals that will decide the Central Valley Conference. The Lady Titans and Saxons traded home wins in their first two meetings in league play.
Both teams earned automatic bids to the state playoffs. Sprague or McNary will earn one as well.
Southwest Conference
Willamette (19-5, 11-0) swept defending state champion South Medford 66-44 on the road on Valentine’s Day to clinch the Southwest Conference. The Wolverines defeated the Lady Panthers 56-48 at home last month to snap a 51-game winning streak.
South Medford (19-4, 9-2) earned an automatic bid to the state playoffs. The third automatic bid will go to Grants Pass or North Medford. The Lady Cavers and Black Tornado can also compete for an at-large bid.