By Mike Weber
For Columbia Gorge News
MAUPIN — South Wasco County senior Jason Hull earned the most prestigious award of his basketball career at the end of the 2026 season with his selection as the OSAA Class 1A player of the year.
Hull, a 6-foot-4 guard, averaged 33 points, six rebounds and three steals per game, leading the No. 3-ranked Redsides to a 28-4 record and sixth place in the state tournament at Baker. Hull’s scoring average was the highest of any player in all six OSAA enrollment classifications.
Redside senior Rowen Huff averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and four assists per game and he was also selected to the all-state squad. Huff, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, earned a second team award. Jack Thiemann, a senior who played for the Lyle/Wishram High Cougars (13-11) earned an all-state honorable mention.
Hull said he was excited to win the 1A player of the year award, and the Big Sky League POY for a second consecutive year. “Obviously, we didn’t finish where we wanted to at the state tournament, but winning the award certainly makes up for it a little bit more. I was happy that Rowen was selected as well, especially after coming from Trout Lake, where there wasn’t much success. Having a good run with us and getting the impressive recognition was pretty cool for him.”
Hull set several school and OSAA records, as well. In a 90-26 home win over the North Lake High Cowboys (1-23) on Dec. 30, 2025, Hull set South Wasco’s all-time single game scoring record of 60 points.
Hull also broke a 74-year-old record, which was held by Swede Halbrook (1952) of Lincoln High in Portland, who previously held the all-time, all classifications single season scoring record of 1,035 points. Hull totaled 1,072 points to break the record, which many people thought was unbreakable.
Hull (2,560 points) also set the Class 1A all-time career scoring record, breaking the mark previously held by Matt Eidler (2,344) of Trinity Lutheran. Hull set the record while playing two and a half seasons. He was sidelined most of his freshman and sophomore years because of injuries.
The Big Sky League district champion Redsides (28-4), guided by longtime Coach Jim Hull (Jason’s dad), had a spectacular season. They won one out-of-three games at the state tournament, which marked their first time qualifying the final eight quarterfinals since 2022. The Big Sky League title marked the first for South Wasco since 2023.
“Jason broke a record that everybody thought was unbreakable,” said Jim Hull. “He led us to sixth place at the state tournament. Even though we were hoping to do better, sixth place was a good finish. Anytime you qualify for state, it’s always a good accomplishment.
“I’m also so happy for Rowen and I’m glad he transferred here from Trout Lake. They had a poor record (0-24) this year and they probably wouldn’t have done very well even if he stayed there. I’m glad that people noticed all the positive things that he did for our team this year. His contributions were definitely some of the key reasons that we enjoyed so much success.”
Jason Hull is the second Redsides’ player to win the 1A player of the year award. Oscar Thomas won the award in 2022.
Jason Hull was recently one of 10 Class 1A players selected to play in the Mid Major Classic boys/girls All-Star Basketball Tournament March 21-22 at Riverside High School in Tualatin. Junior Hailee Pechanec of the No. 7-ranked Dufur High Rangers, was selected to compete in the girls games. The event consisted of the boys and girls top-20 Class 3A players, the top-10 2A players and the top-10 1A players. Jim Hull was selected to coach the team in the boys all-star games.
Jason Hull said having his dad “as my coach made my South Wasco High School career seem really much more special than it actually was. We had a good relationship; we won lots of game and we had lots of fun together and I enjoyed it a lot. It was definitely a special time for me and I didn’t take it for granted. I am looking forward for sure to playing in the all-star tournament in June and represent our school one more time.”
Hull and Huff will represent South Wasco for one final time when they’ll wear their Redsides’ uniforms one more time to compete in the 1A All-Star Game at Sisters High School in June.
Hull has plans to continue his career at the next level and he says he’s seeking to attend college and play basketball, but he’s undecided about where that will be at this time.
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