League play is officially here

On this episode of Buckets in the 503, we’re breaking down the biggest games of the week: Oregon City vs. Tualatin, Grant vs. Benson, Clackamas vs. Barlow, Southridge vs. Beaverton, and more statement wins across the state.

We highlight the top performers, check in on conference races, and kick off the early MVP watchlists as the season heats up.

A father and son conversation after one of the biggest weekends of the season — the Les Schwab Invitational.

Beating the #1 team in Oregon… Taking down the #1 team in Washington… Facing national talent on the biggest stage… And breaking down what it really feels like when the pressure is on.

This isn’t about stats — it’s about growth, work ethic, trust, and the journey behind the scenes.

“On this episode of Buckets in the 503, we’re sitting down with Eli & Alijah — two guards who showed out when the lights were brightest.

Big games. Big moments. Pressure possessions. And performances that turned heads on a national stage.

We talk about competing against top-ranked teams, trusting your work when the pressure ramps up, and what it takes to stay locked in when everyone’s watching.

“Back with a LSI recap addition on Buckets in the 503.

We’re diving deeper into the Les Schwab Invitational — what the numbers didn’t show, the matchups that changed momentum, and what those games revealed about Oregon hoops moving forward.

How teams adjusted on short rest… Who earned real respect on the national stage… And which performances carry over into league play.

If you thought the first recap told the story — this one fills in the gaps.

🎧 LSI Recap Addition — now live on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

The Les Schwab Invitational is HERE — and this is where seasons change.

We’re breaking down the biggest matchups, making our picks, and putting confidence levels on everything — locks, leans, and upset alerts.

From national powers coming into Oregon… To local heavyweights like Central Catholic, Southridge, Tualatin, and Oregon City battling on a neutral floor… This tournament doesn’t lie.

🎧 Full Les Schwab Invitational breakdown and picks

The Capitol City Classic delivered big-time hoops — close games, out-of-state battles, and players stepping up when it mattered most.

We saw Tualatin lock up third place with a balanced attack… Sherwood survive a thriller for fourth… Nelson and Benson with great games … And multiple guys put together statement performances on a neutral floor.

We break down every key game, the top performers, and what this tournament tells us moving forward.

The new 6A Coaches Poll just dropped — and it’s already shaking things up.

Central Catholic stays at #1 despite a tough start… Southridge and Oregon City are climbing fast… Lake Oswego and Barlow force their way into the Top 10… And a few familiar names are sliding after brutal early schedules.

We break down what the coaches are really saying — who’s legit, who’s rising, and who’s built for February and March.

We had top-10 battles at the Sherwood Shootout… Southridge knocking off #3 Tualatin in a tournament final… Beaverton upsetting Lake Oswego… Central Catholic looking every bit like the #1 team… And stars like Jemai Lake, Maddyn Cummings, RJ Barhoum, Eli Hopkins, and TKO Westbrook lighting it up all week long.

From the coaches poll shake-up to breakout performances — Week 1 delivered EVERYTHING.

5A basketball in Oregon is looking crazy this year.

We’ve got returning stars… breakout sophomores… new transfers… and a whole lineup of teams ready to make a real run at the 5A title.

Which programs are poised for a big jump? Who’s slipping? And which team has the pieces to dominate from Day 1?

We’re breaking it all down — contenders, sleepers, and our full 5A preseason power rankings.

The Metro League is back, and this year might be the most competitive we’ve seen in a decade.

Can Southridge build on the momentum they finished with last season? Does Jesuit have enough experience to climb back to the top? What about Sunset, Mountainside, Beaverton, Westview, and Aloha — who’s rising, who’s rebuilding, and who’s ready to shock the league?

And with so many young players stepping into bigger roles, the youth movement in the Metro is REAL.

Tap in as we break down the contenders, the sleepers, and our full preseason rankings.