POY WATCH: Oregon boys basketball

The window on the Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our USA TODAY team that administers the program’s selection process.

Calvin Hermanson
Senior small forward, Lake Oswego (Ore.)

2012-13 Team record: 16-0 (Class 6A)
2012-13 Team standing: Ranked No. 14 nationally by USA TODAY

2011-12 Points per game: 23.0
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 7.4
2011-12 Assists per game: 1.4
2011-12 Steals per game: 1.0

Collegiate destination: St. Mary’s (signed)

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: The state’s 2011-12 Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Hermanson led the Lakers to a 22-6 record and the 2012 Class 6A state championship game as a junior. Also the reigning Three Rivers League Player of the Year, the 6-foot-6, 190-pound wing shot 57.8 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from 3-point range and 73.3 percent from the free throw line last season. In his final three 2012 Class 6A state tournament games, he averaged 28.0 points and 8.7 rebounds, capturing First Team All-Tournament honors.

Khyan Rayner
Senior point guard, Jesuit (Portland, Ore.)

2012-13 Team record: 12-2 (Class 6A)
2012-13 Team standing: Defending Class 6A state champions

2011-12 Points per game: 15.4
2011-12 Rebounds per game: 3.2
2011-12 Assists per game: 2.0
2011-12 Steals per game: 1.5

Collegiate destination: Princeton University

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: The reigning Metro League Player of the Year, Rayner led the Crusaders to a 26-2 record and a fourth straight Class 6A state title as a junior in 2012. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound point guard shot 48.0 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from 3-point range and 78.9 percent from the free throw line last season. He scored 19 points in the 2012 Class 6A state championship win over Lake Oswego, capturing First Team All-Tournament honors.

Make no mistake, the Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year race isn’t over yet. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list. Here are some more of many who’ve been in the conversation throughout the 2012-13 campaign.

Austin Dyer: Senior power forward, Central Catholic (Clackamas, Ore.)
A.J. Lapray: Senior guard, Sprague (Salem, Ore.)
Silas Melson: Junior guard, Jefferson (Portland, Ore.)
L.J. Westbrook: Senior guard, North Salem (Salem, Ore.)