Class 1A-Bound for Yakima-Best of the best
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There was a lot of young teams at the class 1A state tournament last year. Back to back champion Lynden Christian is looking for a trifecta. Kings wants revenge. Annie Wright is a year older. Here’s a look at my…
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Continue ReadingThere was a lot of young teams at the class 1A state tournament last year. Back to back champion Lynden Christian is looking for a trifecta. Kings wants revenge. Annie Wright is a year older. Here’s a look at my picks to make a run at the title this season.
1.Annie Wright –
I have had a chance to take a closer look at these teams and Annie Wright may have the most talented group back this year. They are still young, with a junior and two sophomores leading the way. They are my pick to cut the nets down this season.
He may only be a sophomore but he is no doubt one of the top players in class 1A. You don’t see many players who are able to average a double double on a state tournament team as a freshman. He did just that, and his off-season points toward an even bigger year in his sophomore season. He’s an all around talent, elite level athlete, and scorer. His his fierce competitive nature might be the most important thing when it comes down to the last two days in Yakima. He is a confident and cool customer who has serious game. He will show up when it counts and my bet is on him and his team to cut down the nets.
Having recently watched him in Bellevue at the Top 250 Expo, he was even more impressive in person. He was on another level with his athleticism and overall skills from the point guard position. He can play either guard spot, and after leading his team with 20PPG as a sophomore, the sky is the limit for this kid. He brings a rare combination of skill and size for a guard at the 1A level. The duo of he and Kaupanger is the best in the state at the 1A level. Hard to bet against these two. There is plenty more talent on this team, making them my pick to win it.
2.Kings –
The best player in 1A plays for the Knights and he’s only a sophomore. Class 1A is loaded with young talent, and these two teams have most of it.
Hard to pick against this kid. He’s the best 1A player in the state in my opinion. He’s ranked number 1 in prephoops class of 2025. He fell just short of winning a title last year, in the tough loss to Lynden Christian. He was just a freshman but he was the 2nd option on a very good team. He can play either guard position, and he is as skilled a player as you will see at this level. He averaged around 18PPG last season, but also contributed in other areas. I wouldn’t be surprised if he led the state in steals this season, he’s a ball hawk and a great team defender.He is a tough competitor who plays well beyond his years. Kings will be right in the mix again this season and he is the reason why. He’s my Pre-season pick for 1A player of the year.
Highlights
Nick Lindhart
Nick Lindhart
He is the only other returning starter for Kings this season. He is strong and can be effective inside, getting easy buckets but can also step out and hit the three. The lefty has a nice touch and will be counted on to bring more scoring this year. He should be a reliable source of rebounds and points in his junior season.
3. Lynden Christian –
The two time defending Champs should be right back in the middle of it come March. They return their all state point guard and his running mate in the backcourt. The Lyncs lost some big pieces, but have enough back to be a, threat to win a third title in a row.
The all state floor general is back to lead his team. He’s a great point guard who does everything well. He can shoot it with deep range, he’s one of the best ball handling guards at any level, and he’s a leader. He will provide scoring from the point, and also set up his teammates with his great vision and floor game. Expect him to lead them in scoring, although they have another guard back who I expect to make a big jump.
All great shooters never stop shooting. He was in the middle of a slump during the state tournament last year, including missing his first four three attempts early in the first quarter of the title game. He was benched shortly after, but came back to hit some huge shots in the second half, helping his team pull off the comeback victory. His shot is as pure as they come. He will have big game scoring potential for that reason alone, but he’s a good enough athlete and scorer in other areas that will make him a reliable option to go along with Sipma in the backcourt.
He will give Lynden Christian a true post player with good size. He got quality minutes last season as the first option off the bench. He should become an even more important piece this season, and make his presence felt in the paint with scoring and blocked shots. He will be important to the team’s success, and could have a breakout year.
4. Toppenish
They return two key contributors from last year’s state tournament team. They will need to step into even bigger roles this season and both have that ability. It should once again be a battle with Zillah for the league title with both teams being a threat to make some noise in the post-season.
He’s busy as an all state caliber quarterback on the football team right now. When he steps onto the basketball floor, he carries that leadership to the point guard position as a multi-year starter. Solid all around player who has a nice looking jumper, and shoots a high percentage from three and the line. He’s tough and good at getting into the lane where he can finish using a nice floater or getting to the bucket. He’s a reliable ball handler with high basketball IQ. He was arguably their best player on a great team last season. He will have to up the scoring volume even more this season. Toppenish lost some good players to graduation but he remains a steadying force that can score and distribute from the point guard position.
Highlights
Shane Rivera
Shane Rivera
He was an important piece of last year’s success and the other returning starter. He is active and all over the floor with rebounding, scoring in the lane and blocked shots. He’s got a nice touch and gets to the bucket with spin moves to finish at the rim. .d has a nice touch with a variety of moves around the basket. His knack for scoring around the hoop will be big and he will need to score more this season. I think he will flourish in that role and has the experience as a returning starter to step it up to the next level.
5.Zillah –
The leading scorer and rebounder last season, he averaged 20PPG. He’s a versatile player with good size and a length. He can really stretch the floor with his ability to shoot from deep. He’s active on the boards and can score in the paint. A very skilled player at 6’5, and a big time scorer, as evidenced by his 20 a game last season. He should fill up the stat sheet and be all over the floor with his ability to play all spots. He’ll be one of the names in the running for 1A player of the year and should lead his team back to Yakima.
6.Chelan –
I have written about him in past articles. He’s one of the best shooters in the state, who can fill it up in a hurry. He’s got unlimited range with a quick release. He made 9 threes in a game last season as a sophomore. He’s had a great off-season, putting up some huge scoring games. He’s also a great athlete who can run the floor and finish with the best of them. He could be the leading scorer in all of class 1A with his shooting skills. Chelan fell just short of making it to Yakima last year. They return a solid core, led by this kid who is an all state player.
Another top returning player for Chelan. He’s got good size and will help inside, scoring and rebounding. He’s got a solid post game with the ability to step out and hit shots. He is a capable three point shooter with a soft touch. He gets himself to the basket well, using a couple dribbles, or spin moves to finish strong. These two make for a dynamic duo inside and out.
7.Blaine –
The Borderites have a trio of wing players who are back from last year’s state qualifying team. They can all shoot it and give Blaine a trio that will be dangerous this season.
If you have read my past articles, you know that I am high on this kids game. He’s had a frustrating off-season, dealing with injuries and missing some games and tournaments. He should be good to go for the season. What he brings is a shooter, with in the gym range. He’s also developed a nice mid -range game that he uses when teams run at him. He can score around the basket with his size and length, and finishes well on the break. He’s capable of putting up huge numbers and should have a breakout season.
Highlights
Another wing that can shoot it. He’s a good athlete who is versatile and should be a stat stuffer, who is counted on to crash the boards and run the floor. He can get to the bucket and is an active defender. He will provide plenty of scoring, and contribute in all areas of the game. He’s a skilled player.
Mathew Russ
Mathew Russ
The last part of a trio of wings for Blaine. He’s probably the best athlete of the three, and his game is more about getting himself to the basket, using his athleticism to finish around the rim. All three are around the same size, and all three can put up big scoring nights. Blaine has enough with these three leading the way to get themselves back to Yakima.