Basketball season is so much fun, and it’s always a bit depressing when it ends — although I’ve certainly spoken to a few coaches, players, and reporters who are all ready for a break. After twelve state championships were handed out on Saturday night in Tacoma, Yakima, and Spokane, it’s now another nine months until the state’s preps will return to the hardwood.
To help pass the time, here’s a three-part post to rehash the weekend’s state-tournament action, including a full list where teams finished, a recap of how it all went down, and a sneak peek at who some of the best teams figure to be when we get back down to the business of high-school hoops next November.
This post covers the Class 4A and 3A tournaments in Tacoma. You can find a Class 2A and 1A recap here, and Class 2B and 1B here.
4A Boys
Results
First: Federal Way
Second: Kentwood
Third: Gonzaga Prep
Fourth: Union
Fifth: Curtis
Sixth: Issaquah
Recap
It certainly wasn’t easy, but Federal Way did what most expected them to do, finishing off an undefeated season and winning a second straight state title. The Eagles senior core of Jalen McDaniels, D’Jimon Jones, Christian Jones and Ferron Flavors came up huge in a 66-54 win in the title game over SPSL rival Kentwood. Speaking of the Conquerors, they put together quite a run themselves to get to the championship game, with Darius Lubom and Rayvaughn Bolton leading the way. Gonzaga Prep was the weekend’s other major success, as the Bullpups took Federal Way down to the buzzer in their semifinal and then topped Curtis in the third-place game. GP was the lone interloper from outside the SPSL in the semis, and the Pups more than held their own.
Three to watch next season
Kentwood
The Conks will be the SPSL 4A favorites in 2017 with Lubom, Bolton, and the rest of a talented junior class returning. Only three seniors move on, none who averaged more than 5.6 points per game.
Gonzaga Prep
Leading scorer Logan Adams won’t be back, but the emerging frontcourt of Anton Watson and Devin Culp should be able to pick up the slack.
Issaquah
With four players 6-foot-6 or taller returning, few teams will be able to match the Eagles’ size, and high-scoring point guard Trevon Ary-Turner will be back to run the show.
3A Boys
Results
First: Rainier Beach
Second: O’Dea
Third: Garfield
Fourth: Bellevue
Fifth: Kennedy Catholic
Sixth: Cleveland
Recap
The real championship game took place in Friday’s semifinals, when Rainier Beach overcame a double-digit first half deficit against Garfield to emerge with a 66-61. The Vikings throttled O’Dea on Saturday night, opening up a 22-point lead by halftime en route to a 70-49 victory. Still, the Fighting Irish had a great weekend; this is a tremendous first step for coach Jason Kerr in his efforts to turn his alma mater into a consistent state-title contender. Kennedy Catholic was the other big winner of the tournament, upsetting Bellevue early Thursday morning and pushing O’Dea to the brink in a 61-60 semifinal thriller.
Three to watch next season
Garfield
They lost to Beach in the semis, but Garfield was still the most talented team in the state this season. They will be again next year, too, with big-time talents Jaylen Nowell, Daejon Davis, J’Raan Brooks and P.J. Fuller all back in the fold.
Rainier Beach
Stars Sam Cunliffe and Keith Smith move on, but the next generation will be ready to step in and shine, including Kevin Porter, N’Keil Nelson and Tijon Rodde. As usual, Beach and Garfield will battle for the Metro and state titles.
Cleveland
Breaking news: Metro will again be the best league in the state. While the Eagles lose some talent, they bring back a good deal of it, too. Rising junior C.J. Elleby could be the state’s next great wing.
4A Girls
Results
First: Central Valley
Second: Snohomish
Third: Beamer
Fourth: Moses Lake
Fifth: Bothell
Sixth: Lewis & Clark
Recap
The Bears defeated Moses Lake 47-39 in a quarterfinal showdown between the state’s top two teams, then took care of business against Beamer and Snohomish to wrap up a 27-0, title-winning campaign. The scary part for the rest of the state: Central Valley’s five leading scorers were all freshmen or sophomores. Kudos to Snohomish for its run to the title game — a first-round nailbiter against Lewis & Clark, a 54-50 overtime win, might have been the best game of the tournament. A third-place finish was a strong result for Beamer, but some little part of the Titans must wonder if they might have won the whole thing if guard Quinessa Caylao-Do hadn’t transferred to Bellevue.
Three to watch next season
Central Valley
As mentioned above, the Bears are crazy young in addition to being crazy good. Star wing Lexie Hull will be one of the state’s best players, and her team should be a hefty favorite to repeat as champs.
Moses Lake
Another undefeated regular season wouldn’t be a surprise. The Chiefs lose just three seniors, and coach Matt Strophy seems to have his program positioned as a year-in, year-out contender.
Kentlake
A bit of an under-the-radar pick here, but the Falcons should take Beamer’s place next season as the top team in the SPSL. Their whole core will be back after a run to this year’s quarterfinals, with scoring guard Sydney Peterson leading the charge.
3A Girls
Results
First: Bellevue
Second: Arlington
Third: Lynnwood
Fourth: Mt. Spokane
Fifth: Kamiakin
Sixth: Edmonds-Woodway
Recap
The long-awaited tilt between Lynnwood and Bellevue lived up to the hype: It was a one-point game at the half and tight into the fourth quarter until the Wolverines began to pull away, ultimately escaping with a 73-60 win led by Shelby Cansler and Quinessa Caylao-Do. They went on to pummel Arlington in the title game, 69-40, while Lynnwood blitzed Kamiakin in the third-place contest, 64-27. It’s a bit humorous that our third-place finisher defeated the second-place finisher by 38 points when the two teams played last month, but so it goes. The tourney’s other major storyline was two overlooked teams from east of the mountains — Kamiakin and Mt. Spokane — coming over to Tacoma and making things interesting against some opponents with much glitzier résumés. In fact, Mt. Spokane came closer to Bellevue than anybody else in the field during its 62-53 quarterfinal defeat.
Three to watch next season
Kamiakin
The entire roster will be back next year after a trip to the semifinals. Bellevue and Lynnwood both lose massive amounts of talent and figure to regress, so there will be some fresh faces atop the polls in 2017. The Braves should be one of them.
Snohomish
This year’s runners-up at Class 4A will drop down to 3A. Lynnwood will still be really good, but the Panthers are positioned to become the next big thing in Wesco 3A.
Bishop Blanchet
This is a team that should be plenty motivated next season after a regional-round upset. The Braves will have plenty of talent, too, with scoring machine Jadyn Bush and savvy guard Taylor Chambers both coming back to lead a group that will be the Metro favorite.