3 “Overlooked” 4A Teams Ready to Make Noise
Every year at the State Playoffs at the Tacoma Dome, there are teams that shock everyone with their level of cohesiveness, size and/or talent. Most major news media publications often favor the Seattle/Tacoma area teams and sometimes one Spokane team,…
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Continue ReadingEvery year at the State Playoffs at the Tacoma Dome, there are teams that shock everyone with their level of cohesiveness, size and/or talent. Most major news media publications often favor the Seattle/Tacoma area teams and sometimes one Spokane team, as is the case this year. Gonzaga Prep and Federal Way are the two favorites to win 4A, but there is more talent to go around. We should not be surprised when there is talented teams from outside of the major cities in western Washington. Be on the lookout for these three teams that look like they have enough to make some noise come playoff time.
Union High School– How does the number one ranked team in 4A (according to the WIAA RPI) get overlooked? Well, a lot of Washington is not in tune with the level of talent in the southern part of the state. A lot of players in Vancouver play club ball with Portland-based teams or stay put in Vancouver, so the players are not quite as recognizable. Union has talent! They are currently 14-0 and coming off a blowout win versus Enumclaw. 2019 6’0 G Ethan Smith is a legitamate scoring threat from the guard position, while 2019 6’8 F Curtis Youngren produces a regular double-double. 2020 6’0 G Brad Lackey is another tough guard for the Titans. They have solid all around depth and will challenge teams in the playoffs with their solid guard play and legit post presence.
Puyallup High School– Puyallup is currently ranked number five in 4A (according to the WIAA RPI) accumulating a 10-1 record so far. Some basketball groups laughed me off when I mentioned Puyallup as a contender in 4A basketball. They have more size than any team in the state at the post positions. 2019 C Zane Foster stands at 7’0 tall with shot blocking ability. 2020 6’8 F Kendall Munson is an athletic game-changing transfer that recently moved in from California. Puyallup also rosters 6’9 centers Dylan Rhoades (2019) and Ethan Lockard (2020). Coaches’ son Cobi Campbell (2021) is a left-handed guard with a smooth stroke out to the 3-line. 2019 6’1 G Jaeden Ingram is one of the most underrated seniors in Washington. Puyallup has size, depth and three point shooting! They are a legitamate threat in 4A. Folks will not be laughing too much longer at that statement.
Mt. Si High School– The Wildcats are currently 10-2 and ranked 9th in 4A (according to the WIAA RPI). Their first loss was in overtime versus Ferris, in the very first game of the season. They were facing some early growing pains as a unit and they had a young freshman point guard in his first ever high school basketball game. That freshman Point guard, 2022 5’10 Bennett O’Connor, has improved game by game. Their second loss came to nationally ranked Pinnacle (AZ) featuring 5-star point guard Nico Mannion. The Wildcats lost by just 3 points, playing out of state. While there are no moral victories, Mt. Si is battle-tested and suffered just two close losses that were both very winnable games. Mt. Si features one of the best 1-2 punches in all of Washington with 2020’s 6’7 SG Tyler Patterson and 6’6 combo guard Jabe Mullins. 2022 6’5 SF Quin Patterson (Younger brother of Tyler) has also given some production off the bench with his size and shooting ability. Mt. Si features elite wing play, a talented, yet young point guard and some hard nosed players that will compete. The expectation is for Mt. Si to not only make it to the state tournament, but actually be a difficult out for most teams. The potential is there!