• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Log In
  • Membership Account
    • Your Profile
    • Membership Levels
    • Membership Invoice
    • Membership Confirmation
    • Membership Checkout
    • Membership Cancel
    • Membership Billing
Miles Vance Sports Journal

Miles Vance Sports Journal

Sports coverage done right

Advertise at MilesVanceSportsJournal.com
  • Newsfeed
  • About Us
  • FAQs
  • Miles Vance Photography
  • Contact Us

Lions say they’re ready

March 8, 2023 by Miles Vance Leave a Comment

West Linn senior guard Jackson Shelstad
West Linn senior guard Jackson Shelstad and the Lions open the Class 6A state tournament when they face Central Catholic in the quarterfinals at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the Chiles Center on the University of Portland campus. MVSJ PHOTO: MILES VANCE

The West Linn boys basketball team is ready to chase a Class 6A state championship.

Now the real work begins.

The West Linn boys basketball team has accomplished a lot in the 2022-23 season — more on that in a moment — but unless the Lions cap the year with a state championship, they’re more likely to be remembered as an interesting footnote than as one of the best teams in Oregon history.

Looking to state

West Linn opens the Class 6A state tournament with a quarterfinal match-up against Central Catholic at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the Chiles Center on the University of Portland campus.

The Lions say they’ll be ready.

“I feel like we’re doing pretty good. Our chemistry is really starting to click,” said West Linn senior guard Jackson Shelstad. “Everyone’s playing hard on both sides of the ball which is big for us.”

“I just think it’s more mental than anything, just fully locking in on our match-ups and our keys and just playing team ball together.” said Lion senior wing Mark Hamper.

“I feel we’re right at the top here,” added WL senior guard Adrian Mosley. “I feel (the key at state is) just going to be continuing to play as a team, not being selfish, because everybody on our team is just as good as anybody else on our team.”


Subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal

To sign up,

CLICK HERE

A look back

But before focusing on the 2023 state tournament, let’s take a brief stroll down memory lane with this year’s Lions. Here’s just a few bullet points encapsulating what West Linn has accomplished in 2022-23.

• The Lions opened the season with a 13-game winning streak.

• West Linn beat South Salem, Beaverton, California’s Modesto Christian and California’s St. John Bosco to win the Capitol City Classic at Willamette University back in December.

• The Lions followed up their Capitol City Classic victory by winning the Les Schwab Invitational at the end of December, beating Barlow, Tualatin, California’s Sierra Canyon (a team that included the sons of LeBron James, Scottie Pippen and Penny Hardaway) and Texas’ Duncanville — at the time the top-ranked team in the country — to become the first Oregon LSI champ since Lake Oswego in 2012.

• Following their victory in the Les Schwab Invitational, the Lions were ranked as the No. 1 high school boys basketball team in the country. MaxPreps currently has West Linn as the No. 12 team in America.

• After their loss to De La Salle, West Linn ripped off another 13 straight wins to earn their berth in the upcoming Class 6A state tournament.

• Over the course of the 2022-23 season, the Lions have beaten the following national powers: Sierra Canyon, Duncanville (second nationally on MaxPreps), Modesto Christian and St. John Bosco. They’ve also knocked off most of Oregon’s best, including: No. 2 Barlow, No. 3 Tualatin (three times), No. 6 Beaverton, No. 7 Mountainside, No. 11 West Salem, No. 13 Cleveland, No. 14 Tigard (twice), No. 16 Jesuit (twice) and No. 21 Lake Oswego (twice).

• Shelstad was named the Three Rivers League Player of the Year, Hamper was named TRL Defensive Player of the Year, coach Robert Key was named TRL Coach of the Year and Mosley also won a berth in the all-league first team.

• Shelstad was also selected to play in the Nike Hoop Summit on April 8 at the Moda Center in Portland.

A look ahead

The top-ranked Lions enter the game with a 26-1 overall record (the best in the state at any level), a 13-game winning streak (second-best at the 6A level behind Barlow’s 14 straight), without a loss in Oregon (their only setback was a 63-53 loss to De La Salle in California back on Jan. 16) and as champions of the Three Rivers League.

The ninth-ranked Rams, meanwhile, come into Thursday’s game with a 15-11 overall record and a four-game winning streak after placing third in the Mt. Hood Conference, the only 6A league with three teams in the state tournament.

If the Lions win their quarterfinal opener at Chiles, they will face the winner of the Gresham-Lincoln quarterfinal at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 10. You can see the complete Class 6A state tournament bracket with all game times by clicking here.

“We’ve got a lot of competitive dudes on our team,” Shelstad said. “Offensively, it’s going to come, but defensively is where we need to lock in. (We just need to) keep playing our game, play together, and defensively, focus and lock in.”

Hamper said that his team’s depth and ball movement should pay big dividends at state.

“This team is not a selfish team at all,” he said. “We share the ball a lot so we’ve just got to keep doing that and keep believing in each other to hit shots.”

Mosley, meanwhile, said that the Lions’ hard-fought practices — led by Key and his assistants — would be the key to success at state.

“I’m just piggybacking off the practices,” Mosley said. “I give a lot to (Key) for having us go hard every day.”

Looking at the other side

As much as the Lions have accomplished and as well as they’re playing — and they’ve accomplished a lot and seem to be playing very well — there are challenges ahead.

In addition to the talent on their side of the bracket, the other side features No. 2 Barlow, No. 3 Tualatin, No. 6 Beaverton and No. 7 Mountainside.

While West Linn has beaten all four of those teams, Barlow is undeniably hot while Tualatin — the reigning state champion — gave the Lions their toughest test of the Les Schwab Invitational and has lost to West Linn by just four, six and nine points this year.

Hamper, however, remains confident in his team’s ability.

“I don’t see a way of team can stop us,” he said. “If we’re totally locked in on defense and sharing the ball well, I think it’s ours.”

To buy prints or digital downloads from any of this year’s West Linn coverage, go to milesvance.smugmug.com.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Related

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Adrian Mosley, Barlow boys basketball, Central Catholic boys basketball, Class 6A state tournament, Jackson Shelstad, Mark Hamper, Nick DiGuilio, Tualatin boys basketball, West Linn boys basketball

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Weekly Sports Update

Your email will remain private. You can unsubscribe at any time.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Search for your sport, team or athlete

More to See

milesvance.smugmug.com

Buy sports pix from my photo website

October 12, 2022 By Miles Vance

Lake Oswego's Drew Woolworth

Laker boys set the pace in TRL golf opener

March 21, 2023 By Miles Vance

spring high school sports

ICYMI Monday: Spring season off and rolling

March 20, 2023 By Miles Vance

Lakeridge's Nilay Naik

Slideshow: Three Rivers boys golf 3-20-23

March 20, 2023 By Miles Vance

Miles Vance Sports Journal

Welcome to Miles Vance Sports Journal

March 20, 2023 By Miles Vance

Categories

  • Events/News (277)
  • Featured (177)
  • Opinion (6)
  • Photo of the Day (31)
  • Play of the Day (20)
  • Uncategorized (11)
  • Weekly Summary (17)

Footer

CONTACT

Email: miles@milesvancesportsjournal.com

Phone: 503-330-0127

Post Categories

  • Events/News (277)
  • Featured (177)
  • Opinion (6)
  • Photo of the Day (31)
  • Play of the Day (20)
  • Uncategorized (11)
  • Weekly Summary (17)

Recent Posts

  • Laker boys set the pace in TRL golf opener
  • ICYMI Monday: Spring season off and rolling
  • Slideshow: Three Rivers boys golf 3-20-23
  • Welcome to Miles Vance Sports Journal
  • LO softball falls 8-5 to Silverton in opener
  • Slideshow: Lake Oswego-Silverton softball
  • West Linn girls tennis edges Lakeridge

milesvancesports

Laker boys set the pace in TRL golf opener. Tigard Laker boys set the pace in TRL golf opener. Tigard is second, West Linn is third and Lakeridge fourth at Stone Creek on Monday. Read it for free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/laker-boys-set-the-pace-in-trl-golf-opener/
While this is free, you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure that this kind of coverage continues. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels

To buy prints or digital downloads from any of the many events I cover, go to http://milesvance.smugmug.com. @westlinnhighschool @westlinngolf @wlhsnow @wlhs_athletics @pacer_parent_club @wearelakeridge @pacer.athletics @wearelakeridge @pacerarmy @lakerarmy2.0 @lakeoswegosports @lakeoswegosports @lohsboysgolf @wearelakerclub
ICYMI Monday: Spring season off and rolling. Check ICYMI Monday: Spring season off and rolling. Check out everything posted to MVSJ over the past week.
Read it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/icymi-monday-spring-season-off-and-rolling/
While this is free, you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure that this kind of coverage continues. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
To buy prints or digital downloads from any of the many events I cover, go to http://milesvance.smugmug.com. @lakeoswegosports @lakerarmy2.0 @wlhs_athletics @westlinnhighschool lakeridge.pace.her @pacer_parent_club @pacer.athletics @lakeridge_pacers
Check out this slideshow of the best images from t Check out this slideshow of the best images from the Three Rivers League boys golf match at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City on Monday, March 20. See it for free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/slideshow-three-rivers-boys-golf-3-20-23/
While this one is free, you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure that this kind of coverage continues. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
To buy prints or digital downloads from this contest, go to http://milesvance.smugmug.com. @westlinnhighschool @westlinngolf @wlhsnow @wlhs_athletics @pacer_parent_club @wearelakeridge @pacer.athletics @wearelakeridge @pacerarmy @lakerarmy2.0 @lakeoswegosports @lakeoswegosports @lohsboysgolf @wearelakerclub
Hello Lake Oswego, Lakeridge and West Linn. Miles Hello Lake Oswego, Lakeridge and West Linn. Miles Vance Sports Journal offers the best spring sports coverage for Lake Oswego, Lakeridge and West Linn. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/ @lakeoswegosports @lakerarmy2.0 @wlhs_athletics @westlinnhighschool lakeridge.pace.her @pacer_parent_club @pacer.athletics @lakeridge_pacers
LO softball falls 8-5 to Silverton in opener; Lake LO softball falls 8-5 to Silverton in opener; Lakers step up strong after falling behind 4-0 early on Friday. Read it for free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/lo-softball-falls-8-5-to-silverton-in-opener/
While this one is free, you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure that this kind of coverage continues. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
To buy prints or digital downloads from this contest, go to http://milesvance.smugmug.com. @lohslakersoftball @lakeoswegosports @lakerarmy2.0 @p.richards88 @kyla.zhang @camille.francis3 @kate.kringles
Check out this slideshow of the best images from t Check out this slideshow of the best images from the Lake Oswego softball team’s 8-5 loss to Silverton at Lake Oswego Junior High School on Friday, March 17. See it for free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/slideshow-lake-oswego-silverton-softball/
While this one is free, you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure that this kind of coverage continues. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
To buy prints or digital downloads from this contest, go to http://milesvance.smugmug.com. @lohslakersoftball @lakeoswegosports @lakerarmy2.0 @p.richards88 @kyla.zhang @camille.francis3 @kate.kringles
West Linn girls tennis edges Lakeridge; the two te West Linn girls tennis edges Lakeridge; the two teams tie 4-4 in sets, but the Lions win 85-68 in games on Wednesday. Read it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/west-linn-girls.../
While this one is free, you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure that this kind of coverage continues. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/.../membership-levels/
To buy prints or digital downloads from this contest, go to http://milesvance.smugmug.com. @lakeridgegirlstennis @wlhsgirlstennis @wlhs_athletics @westlinnhighschool @lakeridgehighschool @wearelakeridge @peopleoflakeridge lakeridge.pace.her @pacer_parent_club
West Linn boys tennis drops Lakeridge 7-1; Lions s West Linn boys tennis drops Lakeridge 7-1; Lions sweep all four of the day’s singles matches against the Pacers. Read it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/west-linn-boys-tennis-drops-lakeridge-7-1/
While this one is free, you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure that this kind of coverage continues. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
To buy prints or digital downloads from this contest, go to milesvance.smugmug.com. @wlhs_athletics @westlinnhighschool @westlinnmenstennis @lakeridgehighschool @wearelakeridge @peopleoflakeridge @lhs.gentlemens.tennis @jax_ledwith
Check out this slideshow of the best images from t Check out this slideshow of the best images from the West Linn boys tennis team’s match against Lakeridge at West Linn High School on Wednesday, March 15. See it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/slideshow-west-linn-lakeridge-boys-tennis/ @wlhs_athletics @westlinnhighschool @westlinnmenstennis @lakeridgehighschool @wearelakeridge @peopleoflakeridge @lhs.gentlemens.tennis
Spring has sprung sports-wise, so check out this s Spring has sprung sports-wise, so check out this slideshow of the best images from the Lakeridge girls tennis team’s 4-4 (9-8 in sets) win over West Linn at West Linn High School on Wednesday, March 15. See it for free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/slideshow-lakeridge-west-linn-girls-tennis/
You should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
To buy prints or digital downloads from this contest, go to http://milesvance.smugmug.com @lakeridgegirlstennis @wlhsgirlstennis @wlhs_athletics @westlinnhighschool @lakeridgehighschool @wearelakeridge @peopleoflakeridge lakeridge.pace.her @pacer_parent_club @pacer.athletics @lakeridge_pacers
Meet the newcomers of Spring 2023. Here are some o Meet the newcomers of Spring 2023. Here are some of the new coaches who will roam the sidelines this spring. Read it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/meet-the-newcomers.../
You can see this for free, but you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure this kind of coverage continues for the Lions. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/.../membership-levels/ @lakeoswegosports @lakerarmy2.0 @wlhs_athletics @westlinnhighschool lakeridge.pace.her @pacer_parent_club @pacer.athletics @lakeridge_pacers
LO’s Brahe-Pedersen seeks next level; coming off LO’s Brahe-Pedersen seeks next level; coming off a record-breaking 2022, Laker sprinter ready to push her limits. Read it here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/los-brahe-pedersen-seeks-next-level/ @lakeoswegosports @lakerarmy2.0 @miabrahepedersen
West Linn's Jackson Shelstad named Gatorade Player West Linn's Jackson Shelstad named Gatorade Player of the Year; The Oregon commit wins the award for a second straight year. Read it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/shelstad-named-gatorade-player-of-the-year/
You can see this for free, but you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure this kind of coverage continues for the Lions. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/ @wlhs_athletics @markhamper24 @jake34holmes @wlboyshoops @westlinnhighschool @wllionsbasketball @jacksonshelstad @_adrianmosley_ @drake_gabel2 @maxjuhala
I hope you're enjoying Miles Vance Sports Journal. I hope you're enjoying Miles Vance Sports Journal. 
To make sure you don't miss out on any of MVSJ's great content, please sign up for our free weekly newsletter on the home page of the site — https://bit.ly/3dyi4Bm
The next newsletter goes out later today.
ICYMI Monday — West Linn boys fall in finale; Ch ICYMI Monday — West Linn boys fall in finale; Check out everything posted to MVSJ over the past week. Read it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/icymi-monday-west.../
You can see this for free, but you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure this kind of coverage continues for the Lions. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/.../membership-levels/
West Linn seniors led the way in 2022-23. The Lion West Linn seniors led the way in 2022-23. The Lions' stellar season was led by a group of 10 seniors. Read it for free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/west-linn-seniors.../
You can see this for free, but you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure this kind of coverage continues for the Lions. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/.../membership-levels/ @wlhs_athletics @markhamper24 @jake34holmes @wlboyshoops @westlinnhighschool @wllionsbasketball @jacksonshelstad @_adrianmosley_ @drake_gabel2 @maxjuhala
Lions fall in finale. West Linn loses the Class 6A Lions fall in finale. West Linn loses the Class 6A state championship game to Tualatin 60-47. Read it free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/lions-fall-in-finale/
You can see this for free, but you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure this kind of coverage continues for the Lions. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/.../membership-levels/ @wlhs_athletics @markhamper24 @jake34holmes @wlboyshoops @westlinnhighschool @wllionsbasketball @jacksonshelstad @_adrianmosley_ @drake_gabel2 @maxjuhala
Check out this slideshow of the best images from t Check out this slideshow of the best images from the West Linn boys basketball team’s 60-47 loss to Tualatin in the championship of the Class 6A state tournament at the Chiles Center on Saturday, March 11. See it here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/slideshow-west-linn.../
You can see this for free, but you should subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal to ensure this kind of coverage continues for the Lions. Sign up here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/.../membership-levels/ @wlhs_athletics @markhamper24 @jake34holmes @wlboyshoops @westlinnhighschool @wllionsbasketball @jacksonshelstad @_adrianmosley_ @drake_gabel2 @maxjuhala
We are now just eight minutes away from the start We are now just eight minutes away from the start of tonight's West Linn versus Tualatin contest in the Class 6A boys state championship here at the Chiles Center. To see the best coverage of your West Linn Lions, come to Miles Vance Sports Journal. And to make sure that great coverage continues in the future, subscribe here - https://bit.ly/3dyi4Bm
Vance: Lions flex in semifinal victory. West Linn Vance: Lions flex in semifinal victory. West Linn boys show off skill, power and toughness in latest victory at state. Read it for free here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/vance-lions-flex-in-semifinal-victory/
It's coverage you won't get anywhere else, and aren't getting from anywhere else, so please subscribe to Miles Vance Sports Journal here — https://milesvancesportsjournal.com/membership-account/membership-levels/ @wlhs_athletics @markhamper24 @jake34holmes @wlboyshoops @westlinnhighschool @wllionsbasketball @jacksonshelstad @_adrianmosley_ @drake_gabel2 @maxjuhala
Load More Follow on Instagram

Search for your sport or team

Tags

Adrian Mosley Ben Winjum Drake Gabel Earl Ingle high school sports Jackson Shelstad Keelie O'Hollaren Lake Oswego boys basketball Lake Oswego boys cross country Lake Oswego boys soccer Lake Oswego boys swimming Lake Oswego boys water polo Lake Oswego football Lake Oswego girls basketball Lake Oswego girls cross country Lake Oswego girls soccer Lake Oswego wrestling Lakeridge boys basketball Lakeridge boys cross country Lakeridge boys soccer Lakeridge football Lakeridge girls basketball Lakeridge girls cross country Lakeridge girls soccer Lakeridge girls water polo Lakeridge volleyball Mark Hamper Max Archambo Miles Vance Sports Journal Photo of the Day Play of the Day Ryan Oliver Sam Leavitt West Linn boys basketball West Linn boys cross country West Linn boys swimming West Linn football West Linn girls basketball West Linn girls cross country West Linn girls soccer West Linn girls swimming West Linn volleyball West Linn wrestling Winters Grady Zoey Davis

Copyright © 2023 · Website by Waterlink Web // connecting your customers with you · Log in