4A/3A State Tournament Roundup: Day 1 (Pt II)

The first day at the Tacoma Dome was as exciting as any fan of the game could hope for. There’s a lot of great basketball left to be played, but before we jump ahead let’s look back at the best plays of the day, the crucial player matchups, and some of the guys who stepped up to shine brightest under the lights of the dome.

Best Player Matchups

Dylan Darling Dylan Darling 6'1" | CG Central Valley | 2022 WA 6’2 G Central Valley 2022 vs Tyler Bilodeau Tyler Bilodeau 6'7" | PF Kamiakin | 2022 State WA  6’8 F Kamiakin 2022

Here were two of the top players in the entire state going at it for the third time this season. Darling’s Bears got closer each time, and although he played his heart out, couldn’t eke out a win in the final matchup of the two squads this season. The climax of the game was watching Darling (6’2) defend Bilodeau (6’8). The competitive drive in those two players was exactly what fans love to see. Neither player backed down and even shared a few verbal exchanges during the matchup. At the end of the day, it was two guys with a strong desire to win, and that’s what the game’s all about.

Dakota Joseph Dakota Joseph 6'7" | PF Mariner | 2022 State WA 6’5 F Mariner 2022 vs Andreas Engholm Andreas Engholm 6'8" | PF Olympia | 2023 State WA  6’7 F Olympia 2023

This matchup took a little time to develop but when it got going it was fun to watch. The referees were letting the boys play on Day 1 and both Engholm and Joseph took advantage. The two bigs were fighting for every loose ball and stray rebound in their vicinity. Each came at the other repeatedly with finishes around the hoop, and in the end, it was a shame to see one of them eliminated.

Best Chins

This distinction goes to the players who showed extreme will, guts, and the heart it takes to be a champion. Although most of the guys on this list lost their games, they showed an unmatched desire to leave everything they had on the court.

Miles Gurske Miles Gurske 6'0" | PG Rainier Beach | 2023 State WA 6’0 G Timberline 2023

Gurske was relentless attacking the Mountlake Terrace defense. He continued to slash inside and get right to the hoop, though not many of his looks were easy. Even as he dropped a game high 22 points, it seemed Gurske was unlucky, missing shots by just hairs. Undeterred, he knew what was needed of him and he kept up the fight all the way to the end, coming up just short in a 62-65 loss.

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood 6'4" | CG Graham-Kapowsin | 2022 State WA 6’3 G Graham Kapowsin 2022

Wood is the lone winner of the day on this list. He’s here because frankly, not many people thought he would be. His Eagles have been counted out more than a few times, but he continues to lead the squad against the doubters. He doesn’t take plays off and constantly affects the game in any way possible.

Dylan Darling Dylan Darling 6'1" | CG Central Valley | 2022 WA 6’2 G Central Valley 2022

What more can be said about this kid? He plays with a bleeding passion that consistently has him falling to the ground, taking elbows, and playing though it all. He’s a rare breed that has the energy and the will to score 30 plus points, guard one of the best players in the state while giving up six inches to him, and always be looking to get teammates good looks. Darling is a gamer through and through.

Federal Way

The whole team had to get recognized here because the style of ball they play requires everyone to buy in, and everyone to sell out. They came with pressure from the jump and were seeking turnovers the entire game. They never relented, even as the deficit grew, and the Eagles were just a few bounces from really making things interesting.

Plays of the Day

Vaughn Weems Vaughn Weems 6'5" | SF Federal Way | 2023 State WA  6’4 W Federal Way 2023

Weems opened the third quarter for Federal Way by scoring six points in about ten seconds. Weems’ aggressive play was rewarded by two quick steals in the backcourt, and the junior was in the right place at the right time to score three consecutive buckets to cut the lead from ten, to four.

Trey Arland Trey Arland 6'6" | SG Kamiakin | 2022 State WA 6’6 G/F Kamiakin 2022

Arland misfired on a three-point attempt as time ran low in the third quarter but was fortunate to get another chance when Central Valley turned it right back over to the Braves guard. Arland took a set shot from the edge of the mid court logo and drained it as time ran out. That proved a critical shot and Kamiakin would hold on to a six-point victory.

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood 6'4" | CG Graham-Kapowsin | 2022 State WA 6’3 G Graham Kapowsin 2022

Wood made more than a handful of awesome plays but no more impressive than in the third quarter when he came over as a help-side defender to swat down a shot by Dhyantae Bennett-Joe. He then took the ball up the court, drove just inside the three-point line and made a jump pass to the corner where Isaiah Norris Isaiah Norris 5'10" | SG Graham Kapowsin | 2024 State WA sunk the trey.

Jeffrey Anyimah Jeffrey Anyimah 6'0" | PG Mountlake Terrace | 2022 WA  5’11 G Mountlake Terrace 2022

Anyimah had a buzzer beater of his own for the Mountlake Terrace Hawks. With under five seconds on the clock, Anyimah took the inbounds pass, raced up the court, did a sweet behind the back dribble with two defenders on him, and in one fluid motion drained a 30-footer.