City Rankings: Top 10 players in Whatcom & Skagit Counties
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There’s so much talent here up in the northern part of the state. I took a closer look at the top talent throughout Whatcom & Skagit counties. As there was many players who could’ve made this list, here are 10…
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Continue ReadingThere’s so much talent here up in the northern part of the state. I took a closer look at the top talent throughout Whatcom & Skagit counties. As there was many players who could’ve made this list, here are 10 guys that i consider to be some of the top guys.
1- Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6’4″ | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA -Lynden HS, 2024
Anthony had a great year last season with the Lions, ending in a him earning the 2A state tournament MVP trophy helping the Lions win state. Canales can score at all 3 levels & does it very effectively. He has an incredibly smooth shooting stoke, being able to shoot off the catch or dribble. Offensively he creates his own shot extremely well in the mid-range and is nearly unstoppable from there.
2- Tyler Sipma Tyler Sipma 6’0″ | CG Lynden Christian | 2023 State WA -Lynden Christian HS, 2023
Tyler also stepped up huge for his team late in the season last year. He helped lead the Lyncs to the 1A state title, capping off a great season for him and his teammates. Now with Andrew Hommes graduated, Sipma has stepped up into that leader role and did a phenomenal job over the summer. He was facilitating the offense very well. He always found his open teammates, was able to get his teammates in a groove, but also get his own shots as well. He’s going to have a huge senior season for Lynden Christian as they look to go back to back.
3- Grant Kepley Grant Kepley 6’4″ | CG North Creek | 2023 State WA -Sehome HS, 2023
Grant was first team all NWC last year, one of only 3 non seniors to be on the first team. He’s extremely patient on the court and lets the game come to him. He’s always including his teammates, especially since his surrounding cast is very talented. Kepley has a great shot from long range, as well as the mid range. He works well off the pick and roll and attacks the rim with authority. He’s poised for a great senior year as Sehome looks to make a deep run.
4- Coston Parcher Coston Parcher 6’0″ | PG Lynden | 2023 State WA -Lynden HS, 2023
Coston is one player who has really impressed me over the summer. He has shown his ability to be the number 1 option in the team, giving the Lions a 2 headed monster. Parcher is fantastic at reading the game. His basketball IQ really stood out to me every time I watched him play. He can take over the game at any moment, i remember watching him play against Mount Vernon over the summer where he scored 3/4 straight buckets. Most of that stretch he had was him finding his spot and hitting his shot, right at the left high post. The Lions have a great opportunity to win it again, if you ask me.
5- Jeremiah Wright Jeremiah Wright 6’6″ | PF Lynden Christian | 2024 State WA -Lynden Christian HS, 2024
Jeremiah is a player who will be on everyone’s radar when the season starts and everyone notices how dominant he is down low. He was behind Hommes, who I mentioned before, but now is ready to have the starting spot & be a key part of the offense. He showed amazing athleticism all summer long. He was getting every single rebound it seemed like while I watched him play, even if there were 3 players from the other team right there. The pick and roll with Sipma & Wright is one of the best in the state, everyone will agree with that soon.
6- Quinn Swanson Quinn Swanson 6’2″ | SG Mount Vernon | 2024 State WA -Mount Vernon HS, 2023
Quinn was named to the 2nd team all NWC last season, being the only sophomore on either team besides Canales from Lynden. Quinn’s game is very fast. He has fast feet, quick hands on defense, a great first step off the dribble, and a lightning quick release. When I first watched him, his shooting stood out. He was shooting from DEEP and hitting the shots consistently. His fast release forces defenders to close out fast, but he has a fantastic first step and goes right by them with ease. His senior year will be a big one with his supporting cast around him down in Mount Vernon.
7- Davis Fogle Davis Fogle 6’6″ | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2025 #105 Nation AZ -Anacortes HS, 2025
Davis is the youngest player on this list, but I know he deserves to be here. He’s a new addition to this Anacortes team & he’s just the addition they needed. He will fit in very well as the facilitator for the offense & compliment Braden Thomas, John-Fritz VonHagel, Landon Schafer, and others. Davis has a lengthy frame, which helps him on the defensive side of the ball. His ball handling is steady as his shot from mid range/long range. He’s a great finisher around the rim, using his body effectively when he needs. Having already received an offer from Seattle U, his name will be on peoples radar very soon.
8- Bennett Howe Bennett Howe 6’5″ | C Burlington-Edison | 2023 State WA -Burlington-Edison HS, 2023
Bennett is another extremely athletic player who played very well over the summer. I remember watching Bennett and Burlington-Edison play in the district playoffs last year, his game has improved a lot since then. Over the summer he’s proved that he can hit the long range shot but also hit the mid range shot consistently, while being contested too. He is always all over the boards, grabbing many rebounds over his defenders using his athleticism to rise above. Howe is locked in right when the game starts. You will always see him hustle back on defense, even if he’s the one to throw down a big transition dunk. Him & the Tigers are going to have a solid year.
Highlights
9- Blaine Granberg Blaine Granberg 6’3″ | CG Burlington-Edison | 2023 State WA -Burlington-Edison HS, 2023
Blaine is another player on the Tigers who I feel like has taken a step up since I saw them last year in the district playoffs. Blaine has a lights out shot from long range. He runs the court extremely well, finishing at the rim contested or finding his open teammates. His athleticism also stands out. He’s able to rise to slam the ball home with ease and also grabs rebounds with his strong grip on the ball. Defensively he stands out as well, having fast feet and always keeping his hands out. He’s shown that he’s a top talent in the Whatcom / Skagit counties over the course of the summer and will continue to do so when the season starts.
10- Mathew Storms Mathew Storms 6’3″ | SG Sehome | 2023 State WA / Grey Garrison Grey Garrison 6’5″ | PF Sehome | 2023 State WA -Sehome HS, 2023
I cheated a little bit here, I couldn’t decided between these 2 teammates so I put them both. Mathew last year was 2nd team all NWC, one of few non seniors to be on the teams like I mentioned. Mat has a smooth lefty shot that I could watch all day. He shoots the ball efficiently and moves off the ball very well. He’s able to create his own shots too. His teammate, Grey, has shown tremendous growth over the summer which is why I wanted to include him. Garrison has been throwing down in-game dunks left & right all summer long while still being able to hit the outside shot frequently too. Garrison will be effective off the pick and roll with Mat & Grant at the helm handling the ball. Grey has great vision so I advice defenders to not collapse as he will find other senior, Issac Lawrence in the corner for a shot that he makes over 50% of the time. Sehome will be an EXTREMELY fun & electric team to watch next year.
Honorable Mention (no order)
Matt Russ -Blaine HS, 2023
Michael Johnson -Mount Vernon HS, 2025
Bennett DeLange Bennett DeLange 6'2" | SG Nooksack Valley | 2023 WA -Nooksack HS, 2023