2022-23 Curtis Vikings Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Curtis Vikings are in position to do what only four teams have done since 2001, repeat as 4A Champions. They return nine varsity players and four starters from last season. What they lack in size, they make up for in heart. Curtis was one of the best defensive teams across the state and came up with countless clutch moments throughout the 2021-22 season. Led by Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1450483' first='Zoom' last='Diallo'] and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='923122' first='Tyce' last='Paulsen'], this team grinds out victories and plays an unselfish, team-first brand of ball that helped them win their first state title since 2013. They have as good a shot as any at taking home the championship trophy this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Graduated: </em></strong>Gabe Martin <em>(Highline)</em>, Trent Williams <em>(Tacoma CC)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Incoming: </strong></em>[player_tooltip player_id='1439252' first='Josiah' last='Johnson'] <em>(Central Kitsap)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Key Returners: </strong></em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450483' first='Zoom' last='Diallo'], [player_tooltip player_id='923122' first='Tyce' last='Paulsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450566' first='Devin' last='Whitten'], [player_tooltip player_id='1416284' first='Cinque' last='Maxwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1439246' first='Tyler' last='Logan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings return five key players and get a highly skilled transfer in [player_tooltip player_id='1439252' first='Josiah' last='Johnson']. While they lose their "big man" in Trent Williams, the Viks play extraordinary team defense that allows them to get away with not having a true big on the court. They make their free throws, limit turnovers, and know how to protect a lead. At the state tournament last season, they won games by 7, 12, 9, and 3, proving that this team finds ways to win tough games and outlast opponents. Here's a look at the key players for the Vikings in 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635329b29e014","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450483"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1634641,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The number 18 player in our national rankings, Diallo just continues to get better and evolve his game at a rapid rate. He led the way last season as a sophomore, showing an elite ability to score the rock and find teammates in great positions. As a 6'5 point guard, Diallo poses a tough draw for opposing guards as his length, quickness, and strength tend to shut down even the best guards. On offense, he chews up defenses in and around the paint with a variety of finishes and dump downs. And now that his three-point shot has gotten better there is nowhere for defenses to go. A candidate for 4A State Player of the Year, Diallo has a bright future ahead of him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["923122"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Now that I'm done gushing about Diallo let's get to the Viks other standout player who quietly does a lot of everything. Tyce is a tall guard with limitless range that has the clutch gene. He can hit from way back, with a hand in his face, and has great movement without the ball to sink or rise into open spaces and create good passing lanes. He's an excellent rebounder and passer, both of which really stand out among high traffic areas. Paulsen plays with a high-level understanding of the game that helps him make plays in every situation.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1416284"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Maxwell is a long and quick player who shines defensively matching up against multiple positions and is a guy you can count on to lock up opposing scorers. He hounds the dribble, tips passes, limits vision, and contests shots. He's another guy for Curtis that rebounds better than his height and position would suggest and probably relishes the idea of being overlooked. That is the feel of this Curtis team, guys who love a challenge. Maxwell is a big player for them inside on the offensive end too, cleaning up missed shots and is also a player who can step out and spread the floor.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1450566"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":1179787,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"I feel like a bit of a broken record at this point, but Whitten is another player who exemplifies toughness and selflessness. He can hit from behind the arc, rebounds well, and is a tough finisher inside. He draws a lot of fouls with an unrelenting motor in the paint and makes opponents pay from the line. He's a money-time player who looks ready to take on a bigger scoring role this season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1439252"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A big, physical guard, Johnson provides even more balance to the Curtis Viks. He's an excellent finisher with elite athleticism who can make plays from the wings and also take smaller players into the post where he has good post moves and a nice turnaround jumper. He adds another ball-handler and could be a huge asset defensively as one of the bigger players on the team, and definitely one of the strongest. Johnson already plays with a number of the Vikings in AAU and his transition should be smooth as they look to hit the ground running on December 2 at Emerald Ridge High School.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1439246"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Logan primarily spent his time on the court last season drilling threes and spacing the floor but he is yet another, yes another, tough guard for Curtis who looks to attack opposing players in any way he can. He can go inside and finish through defenders and seems to always have the green light to shoot. He's a key player off the bench that isn't afraid of taking and making big shots.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is comprised of versatility and defensive effort. Their guys can switch to just about any spot on the floor, sharing ballhandling duties, spreading the scoring load, and chipping in on the glass. They make the extra passes and play with an aggressive yet fundamental approach to the game with a high focus on winning all the little battles. The defending 4A champions have to be the favorite heading into the 2022-23 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->