Nejuan Thompson
Buckets in the 503
Buckets in the 503 dives into the heart of high school basketball across the State of Oregon. From Friday night gyms in small towns to the packed arenas of big-city rivalries, we bring you stories that highlight the players, coaches, and communities that make Oregon hoops special. Each episode breaks down: Game recaps and standout performances Rising stars and under-the-radar prospects Interviews with players, coaches, and insiders Analysis of league standings, playoff pushes, and state tournaments The culture, grind, and tradition of Oregon high school basketball Whether you’re a parent, play...
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Episodes
2029 rankings 08.06.2026 1:05:56
In this episode of Buckets in the 503 , we break down the newly released Prep Hoops Oregon Class of 2029 Top 10 Rankings and discuss the next generation of players set to make an impact across the state. We take a closer look at the players sitting at the top of the rankings, including Kendall Hopkins-McGlothen, Jordan Smith, Ryder Powell, Victor Norris III, and Southridge's Judah Hardt , while hi...
Chiles Center-road to the 6A state title 18.03.2026 50:30
“Eight teams. Three days. One champion. The Chiles Center was electric — overtime battles, statement wins, and a championship that came down to one point. From Benson’s run… to Jesuit locking teams up… to Central Catholic looking like a machine… And then Tualatin finishing the job when it mattered most. We’re breaking down the biggest moments, the top performers, and how it all unfolded on Oregon’...
Review round of 16 -Elite 8 predictions 10.03.2026 46:46
“Eight teams remain… but only four will make it to the Chiles Center . A #1 seed just went down on a game-winner in overtime. A double-overtime thriller sent Clackamas through. Grant pulled off a statement upset. And Central Catholic looks like a machine. Now the matchups are set: Benson vs Clackamas. Sherwood vs Tualatin. Jesuit vs Oregon City. Grant vs Central Catholic. The road to the 6A State...
Round 1 review & Round 2 preview 05.03.2026 1:03:30
we’re breaking down everything from Round 1 of the 6A playoffs — the biggest wins, the standout performances, and the upsets that shook the bracket. From Southridge and Central Catholic making statements to players stepping up under the playoff lights — we’ve got it all. And then we look ahead to Round 2 , previewing the matchups and making our predictions on who’s moving one step closer to the Ch...
Talking Hoops with Sam Thompson 03.03.2026 56:41
Director of PortlandBoyz AAU and SEI Director. We’re diving into grassroots basketball, building programs the right way, navigating the AAU circuit, and what it really takes to elevate Portland hoops on a national level. We’ll also talk about keeping top talent home, why playing for local programs matters, and his take on the current 6A landscape. From culture to competition, leadership to legacy...
6A Bracket review & predictions 02.03.2026 46:49
“The bracket is set. No more hypotheticals. No more projections. Now it’s matchups, pressure, and survive-and-advance. Who’s making the Final Four? Who’s primed for an upset? Which top seed should be nervous? And who’s cutting down the nets in 6A? We’re breaking down the entire bracket — region by region — with bold picks, upset alerts, and championship predictions. March is here.
1 week left of regular season 23.02.2026 46:46
“This week in Oregon high school hoops? Absolute chaos. Oregon City survives Lake Oswego in overtime. Southridge puts up 88 in a Metro showdown. Central Catholic keeps rolling. And Benson locks down Lincoln in the PIL. Overtime games. League shakeups. MVP races heating up. This week preview 2/24-2/27 Jesuit heads to Southridge in a Metro showdown with playoff seeding on the line. Central Catholic...
Top Performers & OSAA Top 20 Reaction -week that was 09.02.2026 55:18
On this episode of Buckets in the 503 , we break down the Top Performers of the 1st Week in Febuary — huge scoring nights, clutch overtime buckets, and guys delivering against ranked opponents . Then we react to the updated OSAA Top 20 — who moved up, who slid, and which teams the numbers love… but the eye test still questions. League play is tight. Margins are thin. And March is coming fast.
AAU season is coming 05.02.2026 1:12:25
AAU season is right around the corner — and recruiting is already happening. On this episode of Buckets in the 503 , we break down what AAU season really looks like right now . What players and families need to ask… And how to find the right fit — not just the biggest name. From exposure to development to recruiting reality, this is the AAU conversation everyone needs to hear.
League Play 1st half and OSSA playoff picture 02.02.2026 36:32
“The OSAA Top 20 is out… but do the rankings really match what we’re seeing on the floor? On this episode of Buckets in the 503 , we'll break down the OSAA top 20 and break the teams into Teirs We break down contenders ,upcoming big matchup and our take on Player of the year canidates.
Big week of League Play 15.01.2026 38:23
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.
Father & Son Eposide 07.01.2026 26:28
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.
Oregon City Eli & Alijah 06.01.2026 7:45
“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 watchin...
Les Schwab recap 06.01.2026 41:00
“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 r...
Les Schwab Invitational Preview 26.12.2025 30:50
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...
Capital City Classic Recap 25.12.2025 21:45
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 w...
Week 2 6a Coaches Top Ten 19.12.2025 25:06
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 Februa...
6A Week 1 in review 10.12.2025 20:38
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 Season Preview 05.12.2025 37:32
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.
Metro League Preseason Preview 04.12.2025 33:33
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 i...
PIL Conference Season preview 03.12.2025 32:10
The PIL looks completely different this year, and we’re breaking it all down in our preseason rankings episode. Where do last year’s champions, Roosevelt , land in this year’s list? Which programs are rising fast thanks to the youth movement taking over the league? And who’s poised to make the biggest jump in Portland high school basketball? We’ve got surprises, sleepers, and a whole new look at t...
6A Top 10 Pre-Season predictions 02.12.2025 48:43
We’re dropping our official 6A Preseason Top 10 — and Oregon hoops is about to be WILD this year. From Central Catholic holding down the #1 spot… to Tualatin, Southridge, Nelson, Jesuit , and the rest of the top teams gearing up for a run — this ranking is loaded with talent, storylines, and championship expectations. We break down every team, who’s rising, who’s underrated, and which squads are b...
Class of 2028 review w/Jed Tai 19.11.2025 28:58
We’re breaking down Oregon’s Class of 2028 — the next generation of hoopers already making noise across the state. From rising guards to long, skilled wings and bigs with real upside… this class is deeper and more advanced than people realize. We talk standouts, sleepers, and who’s got the potential to be the next breakout star in Oregon high school basketball.
Guest: Demetrius McQuarn (Centennial Head Coach) 17.11.2025 27:18
We sat down with Centennial Head Coach Demetrius McQuarn , fresh off a 14–12 season and a top-15 OSAA ranking — and he’s got the Eagles locked in for a big year. Coach talks about the return of Sincere Powe and Darius Andrews , plus the impact of transfers Sebastian Larsen and Je’Mel Baker , and what it will take for Centennial to elevate in one of the toughest leagues in Oregon.
Guest: Daniel Blanks Nelson Head Coach 14.11.2025 51:28
We sat down with Coach Daniel Blanks of Adrianne C. Nelson High School — one of the fastest-rising programs in Oregon hoops. Coach talks about building culture, bouncing back from that tough second-round loss to Jesuit , and leading a talented group led by junior guard Braylon Gaines , incoming transfer Carter Lockhart , and a dedicated coaching staff that’s all-in.
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