^{This article is a guest submission. To submit your own work for consideration, send your piece to redwoodvoicedn@gmail.com. Photos courtesy of Elijah Brunson.}

Written and submitted by Elijah Brunson.

Crescent City, CA – The Crescent City Beast Boys 5th and 7th grade basketball teams are gearing up for the Oregon State Middle School Championships, set to take place in Redmond, Bend, and Sisters, Oregon, from March 14-16.

The 5th grade team is looking to build on their impressive performance last year, where they secured second place as 4th graders. They are eager to capture the championship title this year. The talented roster includes Isaiah Brunson, Jaylyn Perry, Ruben Lopez, Enoch Murphy, Jayden Parras, Rayce Rested, Kyngston Newton, and Jace Price-Lewis.

For the 7th grade team, this marks their first appearance at the state championships. Despite being newcomers, the team is brimming with excitement and confidence, fueled by several successful fall tournament championships. The team, comprised of Asher Fry, Elijah Brunson, La’yeq Alameda, Cody Blue, Izrael Ybarra, Nate Sanchez, Damien Parras, Mason Webster, and Thomas King, is coached by Anthony Alameda, who also coaches the Crescent Elk Middle School 7th grade team. With many players finishing their local school seasons at Crescent Elk Middle School and Redwood Elementary, the 7th graders are expected to be well-prepared for the competition.

Following the state championships, the Crescent Beast Boys will hold spring AAU tryouts in mid-March. The AAU season will run from late March through late May.