The CrawsOver: Top 20 All-Star Game Q&A
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As The CrawsOver Pro-Am wraps up tonight it seems like a good time to rewind and take a look back at the Brooks Scouting Report HS Top 20 Select Game played last Saturday. This was a chance for current high…
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Continue ReadingAs The CrawsOver Pro-Am wraps up tonight it seems like a good time to rewind and take a look back at the Brooks Scouting Report HS Top 20 Select Game played last Saturday. This was a chance for current high school players to jump into one of the biggest basketball events in the area, playing against the top players in the state and in front of big crowds. They opened the show up, taking the court before stars like Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, and local products, Dejounte Murray, Paolo Banchero, Isaiah Thomas, Nate Robinson, and the man responsible for it all, Jamal Crawford.
It was a unique experience and I decided to catch up with some of the players to see how their experiences went and what they can take from the game going forward. I was able to connect with Luke Westerfield Luke Westerfield 6'10" | PF Richland | 2024 State WA , Hunter Carter Hunter Carter 6'5" | CG Annie Wright | 2024 CO , Martin Kaupanger Martin Kaupanger 6'5" | SG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA , Tre Walker Tre Walker 5'9" | CG Mt Tahoma | 2024 State WA and Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA just days after the game to see what stuck with them from the big day.
How did you feel going into that game, once you were selected, and then leading up to it? What was it like playing in that atmosphere?
Luke Westerfield Luke Westerfield 6'10" | PF Richland | 2024 State WA : When I heard I was selected I was excited and then I heard about LeBron pulling up, so I knew there were going to be tons of people there. So, when I finally got to the gym and saw all the people outside, and having to go through the side and walk through the crowd of people to get there kind of put it into perspective for me – how big this weekend was going to be.
Martin Kaupanger Martin Kaupanger 6'5" | SG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA : I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous because of how many people were there. But after a few warm-up dunks I kind of relaxed and just enjoyed the game. The atmosphere was great and I’d love to play in it again.
Did playing in The CrawsOver do anything to impact your aspirations for the next level? As far as school size, student engagement/fan base, competition level, or anything else.
Hunter Carter Hunter Carter 6'5" | CG Annie Wright | 2024 CO : It felt good being selected and the atmosphere was fun to play in. The atmosphere just made me want to play at the next level, in front of the biggest crowds even more.
Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA : I think playing in The CrawsOver made me feel like I belong in the gym with all the best players and it gave me some confidence and motivation to keep grinding and improving my game.
Tre Walker Tre Walker 5'9" | CG Mt Tahoma | 2024 State WA : It definitely shows the next-level talent was all there. Most of the guys I’ve been playing against my whole life, so it was really fun and I know I belong out there. Can’t wait until next year.
Did you get to link with any of the pro players or get any advice from the other more experienced players? If not, what was it like to see those guys operate up close?
Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA : I just got to talk to a couple of guys from Lynden (Clayton Whitman and Cole Bajema). They’ve been great role models for me growing up and are always wanting to see another kid from Lynden succeed at the next level.
Tre Walker Tre Walker 5'9" | CG Mt Tahoma | 2024 State WA : You see some of the pros from our area during, but it was LeBron and Tatum I really enjoyed. And it’s always nice to watch IT, Tacoma guy, one of my favorites from the city.
Do you think this will impact your recruitment? How so?
Martin Kaupanger Martin Kaupanger 6'5" | SG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA : I think it will definitely be something that can get my name in coaches’ heads and get them to my games if I catch their eye.
Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA : I think it may help my recruitment just because colleges could see my name in that star-studded roster and know I can play with the top players.
Tre Walker Tre Walker 5'9" | CG Mt Tahoma | 2024 State WA : Well, I feel blessed just being selected top 20. It makes me want to work even harder on my game. Recruitment has been picking up and I’ve been getting a few more calls, so I’m thankful for that.
What can you learn from this kind of experience?
Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA : I can learn to never take something like that for granted, getting to play a game like that and then seeing some of the guys I idolize was amazing.
Martin Kaupanger Martin Kaupanger 6'5" | SG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA : To gain confidence in playing in front of a large crowd, and to watch what the pros do to hopefully be more like them.
Hunter Carter Hunter Carter 6'5" | CG Annie Wright | 2024 CO : I learned to stay locked in.
Luke Westerfield Luke Westerfield 6'10" | PF Richland | 2024 State WA : One thing you learn is just that you can play with all these top guys and that’s kind of hard to remember sometimes but to get a reminder like that is great.
What do you think this says about the basketball culture in Seattle and across the state?
Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA : It really shows that we’ve got some serious hoopers in Washington and that we need a team back in Seattle.
Martin Kaupanger Martin Kaupanger 6'5" | SG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA : I think it shows our passion and love for the game of basketball.
Luke Westerfield Luke Westerfield 6'10" | PF Richland | 2024 State WA : I think it says what everyone around basketball culture in Seattle/Washington already knows and that’s just the amount of great players and coaches we have here, and put it on a platform to be seen by others outside of the state.
Finally, what are your hopes for the coming season? Team-wise and also for your recruitment.
Tre Walker Tre Walker 5'9" | CG Mt Tahoma | 2024 State WA : Be on the lookout for Silas. We’re gonna surprise some people this season for sure, the goal is playoffs and go as far as we can. It should be fun. As far as everything else, it will take care of itself. The work I have been putting in showed during the summer and the work will continue. Looking to show it in the winter also.
Hunter Carter Hunter Carter 6'5" | CG Annie Wright | 2024 CO : My hopes for next season are to win state, schedule some non-league games with the best of the best, and as far as my recruitment, I want it to skyrocket. I want coaches to see I’m a 6’5-6’6 point guard that can score at will and makes the right plays.
Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA : I just want our team to succeed and contend to go back to back. Individual awards are great and all but I’ve always been team first. And for my recruitment, I think just to show everyone who I am and getting my name on the map.
Martin Kaupanger Martin Kaupanger 6'5" | SG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA : I hope to win a state championship and also win some tough out of league games, but also to get better as an individual player. After this season I hope to get some PAC 12 schools recruiting me.
Luke Westerfield Luke Westerfield 6'10" | PF Richland | 2024 State WA : I’m hoping for us to make a pretty deep state run and to prove that we can be up there with the top teams in 4A.
Here are some highlights from the game, including the game-winning shot and game-saving block by Zoom Diallo Zoom Diallo 6'4" | PG Prolific Prep (CA) | 2024 #19 Nation CA-N .