Scots, Broncos Invited to Elite Hoop Tournament

Posted by Tim Curran on Jan 11, 2016

Parkrose’s Wilfried Likayi, left, and Isaac Mbuyamba score a combined 46 points in a 64-61 win over Jefferson at the 20th Anniversary Les Schwab Invitational.
STAFF/2015

Last month, the Parkrose Broncos and David Douglas Scots played in the Les Schwab Invitational (LSI), Oregon’s premier pre-season high school basketball tourney.

The LSI hosts Oregon’s top 6A and 5A basketball teams, as well as teams from Washington. In addition, nationally ranked teams with future college and professional stars are invited. This was Parkrose’s first invite to the 16-team, 32-game tourney at Liberty High School in Hillsboro; it was David Douglas’ second.

With each team guaranteed four games, Parkrose finished 1-3, David Douglas 0-4.

Parkrose senior Scar Johnson stepped up his game filling in for injured teammates.
STAFF/2015

Going into the regular season, coaches get an accurate picture where their teams are at playing in a tourney with such tough competition. “We’ve got a ways to go,” said David Douglas Coach Chad Reeves. “We started playing hard the last game and a half; we didn’t play smart the last game.” However, Reeves said he expects his team to make the playoffs. “It’s always our expectation to make the playoffs and see how far we go from there.”

David Douglas senior Charles Jones scores two points against Jefferson; however, the Scots lost the game 61-57.
STAFF/2015

Despite playing without star point guard Isaac Bonton, who was out with a shoulder injury, the Broncos fared a little better beating inner-city rival Jefferson in their second game after losing a close game to Clackamas the night before. “That felt good to get a first win in here,” Bronco’s coach JC Alexander said. “We hoped we could have come back against Clackamas. We felt we had a great shot yesterday [against Jesuit] as well.”

Parkrose junior Wilfried Likayi makes a lay in against Beaverton.
STAFF/2015

Parkrose’s other star player, 6’7″senior Isaac Mbuyamba, turned an ankle against Jesuit and sat out the Broncos’ final game. Alexander said he was happy with his team’s overall performance, especially with players who normally don’t get a lot of playing time. “With both Isaacs out today and Bonton out for the tournament, everybody did step up,” Alexander said. “The kids showed up and played hard today.” The tourney talent was tops, a new experience for both Parkrose players and coach. “We’re playing great talent every single night,” Alexander said. “We’re playing the top 6A schools in the state; it’s a grind.” Alexander is focused on league play and knows he has a talented team this year. With not only Bonton, but also 6’8″ junior transfer Wilfried Likayi, many expect Parkrose to compete for a state title.