X-Factors heading into Regionals (Part 2)

"X-Factors heading into the Regionals (Part 1)" highlighted 5 of the state’s top players who have a chance to be the difference-maker for their programs. Those players look to lead their teams to victory this weekend, as they have done all year. Here are five more players who look to do the same: Kody Kasper (2022) - 5’11 PG - Tahoma Those who have coached against Kasper, know how important he is to the Tahoma Bears. The Bears are a well-balanced ship that is run by the likes of their "Twin Towers" in [player_tooltip player_id="674436" first="Cooper" last="Church"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1262698" first="Carson" last="Talbert"] but don’t be mistaken, Kasper is the captain of that ship. He gets a bucket when needed, finds the shooters on the wing, and helps get the bigs going. Kasper has a calm demeanor but he can do whatever the team needs to come out with the win. His production doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet but he is often the difference-maker. [player_tooltip player_id="1270690" first="Elijah" last="Cain"] (2023) - 6’2 SG - Graham Kapowsin Cain is one of the biggest X-Factors in the state heading into the weekend. His team plays in a loser-out game against a higher-seeded Glacier Peak but "pressure" is just a word to Cain and his teammates. The Eagles were the 4A State Champions in Football and finished as one of the top teams in the nation and that confidence has carried over to the gym. After years of losing seasons, the Eagles are winning and looking to continue to open more eyes on Saturday. Cain is a "big guard" not because of his height but because of his strength. He uses his mix of strength and quickness to defend 1-4, finishes amongst the trees, and outrebound opposing bigs. He has multiple double-doubles on the season and his improved jumper from outside helps him to be a threat to score 20+ points on any given night. [player_tooltip player_id="923118" first="Christian" last="King"] (2023) - 6’6 SF - Seattle Prep I had heard about his ability to shoot the ball but I hadn’t had the chance to see it in person until recently. King may be one of the best shooters in the state regardless of class. His shooting, lanky frame, and high defensive IQ make him one of the most interesting players in Regionals. With guys like [player_tooltip player_id="674424" first="Braeden" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="674421" first="Tyler" last="Mrus"] on the roster, King doesn’t have to be a go-to guy but that doesn’t mean he can’t light it up and change the outlook of a game. With the #5 seed, Seattle Prep is guaranteed to play in the next round, but watch out for the play of King to be the X-Factor in the battle against Rainier Beach. [player_tooltip player_id="923111" first="Miles" last="Gurske"] (2023) - 6’0 PG - Timberline Gurske and [player_tooltip player_id="1270609" first="Brooklyn" last="Hicks"] make up one of the toughest backcourts in the state and anyone who has faced them this season would agree. However, the fact that Gurske plays alongside Hicks often keeps people from realizing how good this kid is. He is currently #24 in the 2023 Prep Hoops WA Rankings for a reason. He is a team-first guy, a menace on defense, and facilitates the offense for the Blazers, but Gurkse can take a game over. Earlier in the playoffs, he went off for 37 points to beat Kelso in the district semifinals. Timberline has played their way into a top seed, but look for Gurske to make some noise against the #1 ranked Garfield Bulldogs. Rylan Donovan (2022) - 6’5 SF - White River Donovan, much like a lot of talented kids in smaller classifications, is unknown to many across the state. Lack of popularity and exposure is often the downside to playing at a small school but Donovan only cares about winning and it shows. On his senior night he scored 11 straight points to send the message to the packed house that he had no plans on losing. Donovan doesn’t talk a lot on the court but his game says more than enough. He is currently averaging around 25 points and 15 rebounds while leading the Hornets to a seed that keeps them safe from elimination in the regional round. You may not know him but he can be the difference between an early exit and a state title run for the small town he calls home.

"X-Factors heading into the Regionals (Part 1)" highlighted 5 of the state’s top players who have a chance to be the difference-maker for their programs. Those players look to lead their teams to victory this weekend, as they have done all year. Here are five more players who look to do the same:

Kody Kasper (2022) - 5’11 PG - Tahoma

Those who have coached against Kasper, know how important he is to the Tahoma Bears. The Bears are a well-balanced ship that is run by the likes of their "Twin Towers" in Cooper Church Cooper Church 6'10" | PF Tahoma | 2022 State WA and Carson Talbert Carson Talbert 6'7" | SF Tahoma | 2022 State WA but don’t be mistaken, Kasper is the captain of that ship. He gets a bucket when needed, finds the shooters on the wing, and helps get the bigs going. Kasper has a calm demeanor but he can do whatever the team needs to come out with the win. His production doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet but he is often the difference-maker.

Elijah Cain Elijah Cain 6'2" | SG Kentridge | 2023 State WA (2023) - 6’2 SG - Graham Kapowsin

Cain is one of the biggest X-Factors in the state heading into the weekend. His team plays in a loser-out game against a higher-seeded Glacier Peak but "pressure" is just a word to Cain and his teammates. The Eagles were the 4A State Champions in Football and finished as one of the top teams in the nation and that confidence has carried over to the gym. After years of losing seasons, the Eagles are winning and looking to continue to open more eyes on Saturday. Cain is a "big guard" not because of his height but because of his strength. He uses his mix of strength and quickness to defend 1-4, finishes amongst the trees, and outrebound opposing bigs. He has multiple double-doubles on the season and his improved jumper from outside helps him to be a threat to score 20+ points on any given night.

Christian King Christian King 6'8" | SG Seattle Prep | 2023 State WA (2023) - 6’6 SF - Seattle Prep

I had heard about his ability to shoot the ball but I hadn’t had the chance to see it in person until recently. King may be one of the best shooters in the state regardless of class. His shooting, lanky frame, and high defensive IQ make him one of the most interesting players in Regionals. With guys like Braeden Smith Braeden Smith 5'11" | PG Seattle Prep | 2022 State WA and Tyler Mrus Tyler Mrus 6'6" | SF Seattle Prep | 2022 State WA on the roster, King doesn’t have to be a go-to guy but that doesn’t mean he can’t light it up and change the outlook of a game. With the #5 seed, Seattle Prep is guaranteed to play in the next round, but watch out for the play of King to be the X-Factor in the battle against Rainier Beach.

Miles Gurske Miles Gurske 6'0" | PG Rainier Beach | 2023 State WA (2023) - 6’0 PG - Timberline

Gurske and Brooklyn Hicks Brooklyn Hicks 6'3" | CG Timberline | 2023 State #168 Nation WA make up one of the toughest backcourts in the state and anyone who has faced them this season would agree. However, the fact that Gurske plays alongside Hicks often keeps people from realizing how good this kid is. He is currently #24 in the 2023 Prep Hoops WA Rankings for a reason. He is a team-first guy, a menace on defense, and facilitates the offense for the Blazers, but Gurkse can take a game over. Earlier in the playoffs, he went off for 37 points to beat Kelso in the district semifinals. Timberline has played their way into a top seed, but look for Gurske to make some noise against the #1 ranked Garfield Bulldogs.

Rylan Donovan (2022) - 6’5 SF - White River

Donovan, much like a lot of talented kids in smaller classifications, is unknown to many across the state. Lack of popularity and exposure is often the downside to playing at a small school but Donovan only cares about winning and it shows. On his senior night he scored 11 straight points to send the message to the packed house that he had no plans on losing. Donovan doesn’t talk a lot on the court but his game says more than enough. He is currently averaging around 25 points and 15 rebounds while leading the Hornets to a seed that keeps them safe from elimination in the regional round. You may not know him but he can be the difference between an early exit and a state title run for the small town he calls home.