First preview – Week one – Game of the week

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Lincoln vs Camas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will be in Tacoma for week one, watching some great young talent. There will be new faces and familiar faces. Camas has proven young talent. Lincoln has a couple of transfers ready to show their stuff. Both teams have at least two starters returning from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Names to know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Lincoln, there are two new faces. [player_tooltip player_id='1315357' first='Isaiah' last='Cunningham'], ranked number 13 in the class of 2025, a transfer from Rainier Beach. [player_tooltip player_id='1588009' first='Zion' last='Norman'], class of 2026 coming in from Life Christian Academy, is the other. They join [player_tooltip player_id='923117' first='Gabarri' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450621' first='Wyatt' last='Ulsh'], the two returning starters. Camas has class of 2025 number 6 prephoops ranked [player_tooltip player_id='1450989' first='Beckett' last='Currie'] returning along with [player_tooltip player_id='1270731' first='Theo' last='McMillan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1450988' first='Jace' last='Vanvoorhis'], and Jamison Carlisle in the backcourt, and Josh Dabasinkas in the font court. I caught up with a few players from Lincoln and asked a series of questions about the upcoming season. I am listing some of their answers throughout this article. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What are your team goals for the upcoming season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>To make it to state for sure but overall to play as a team and learn how to win as a team. </p><cite>Cunningham</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What parts of your game have you improved the most? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":"is-style-default"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-default"><p>My playmaking and getting my teammates open shots and good looks. Shooting and moving without the ball is another key component that I have worked on over the summer. <span style="font-size: revert; color: initial; font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts);"></span></p><p></p><cite>Norman</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Why Camas wins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simply put, they are used to winning. They finished 20-5 last season. Digging deeper, they win because of their ball pressure and ability to force turnovers. They have 3 returning starters and some other key contributions back. They are likely to push the envelope vs a young Lincoln team. They have several players who can create havoc on the defensive end and. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Why Lincoln wins </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my opinion they have the best prospect in this game in [player_tooltip player_id='1315357' first='Isaiah' last='Cunningham']. If they can avoid turnovers, and stay within themselves they can get a win. They will need contributions from everyone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More thoughts shared on the upcoming season :</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Be a leader overall and know when to take over games, being the best possible teammate I can be <span style="font-size: revert; color: initial; font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts);"></span></p><cite> Cunningham </cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How has the transition to Lincoln been. Both basketball and school wise?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>I love the kids and teachers here. They have welcomed me with open arms. I love the effort the teachers have put in to make sure I succeed. I have made so many friends already. Basketball wise, I love how competitive it is and how the school cherishes basketball. </p><cite>Cunningham</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What drew you to Lincoln?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>The deep rooted basketball history in Tacoma and the state. I wanted to be a part of something really special. Everyone here is driven to be better, which makes practice and workouts more competitive and intense. </p><cite>Norman</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What role do you see yourself having on this team?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>I see myself as a guy who can do it all but position wise a shooting guard or point guard at times </p><cite>Cunningham </cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Lincoln </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634dcecfa42a4","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1315357"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"After transferring over from Rainier Beach, he is one of the more exciting prospects to follow. He's had great success at some of the camps he's been to this summer, including making the cream of the crop at the Pangos All West camp and was an all star at a couple more. I watched him play at the Pangos camp and he was head and shoulders better than most of the players on the floor. He's improved every aspect of his game, allowing the game to slow down. He's an elite level athlete who can do a little bit of everything. He's a scorer, and has improved his jumper making him a threat on all levels. He's got great quickness, and getting to the rack is his best strength. He gets downhill with a purpose, often using cross over dribbles, or spin moves along the way. He's got good strength and body control that allows him to finish at the rim. He's explosive, and then some. He has worked hard to make his pull-up jumper into a weapon. He will grab rebounds and go coast to coast and finish. He was a calming presence for his team at the Pangos camp. He often played the point and played it well. I don't think I have seen a better on ball defender in the off-season. Plenty of potential here for a huge break out season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1450621"],"_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":"u003cpu003eThe big man has made some big strides and improved his game throughout the off-season. He's got a big frame and has worked on being a back to the basket scorer. He had a great showing at the Expo Top 250, including a breakaway game winning dunk in a game that he also scored 19 points in. He should be able to move people around with his strength making him tough to stop when he goes at the rim. Lincoln will need him to be a monster on the boards, something that his size and athletic ability will allow for him to do.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["923117"],"_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":"u003cpu003eMulti-year starter and division 1 QB, has signed with Missouri to continue playing football. He hasn't been with the team this fall due to football. He should make a big difference when he gets on the hardwood. A tough guard who can get to the paint, finish, protect the ball, and be a leader for this young team. He will be counted on heavily to help bring Lincoln stability as a senior guard on a team full of underclassmen. He can provide points, and defend at a high level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1587965"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cpu003eHe's just a freshman but he brings a wealth of potential. A true point guard who understands the game and can distribute the ball to the right people. A lefty who is also crafty when he gets going downhill. He shows no fear, and although he may take his lumps as any freshman does, he will keep coming. He's a young kid, waiting for his body to catch up to his game, in the meantime, he will be fine playing with the big boys.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1450989"],"_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":"u003cpu003eHe was outstanding as a starting point guard in his freshman season for Camas. He's a great facilitator, getting into the lane at will and making the right decision. He can score, and often uses a little floater. He understands the importance of a bounce pass and uses it well. He's quick with the dribble and gets downhill. He can shoot it well but is more dangerous facilitating the offense. He will get his points, whether it be blowing by the defense or knocking down open looks. He'll get his team points with excellent vision and a floor game that is beyond its years. He's a good player with greatness sealed and waiting. He will get lots of steals and create havoc along with his backcourt mates. They love to get out and run, and do it well. That starts with pressure defense.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1270731"],"_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":"u003cpu003eBackcourt mates with Currie, they feed well off of each other. He's a good shooter and the beneficiary of lots of drive and kicks from Currie. He can also get downhill and to the basket. He is active on defense, creating lots of turnovers, which usually lead to easy buckets the way they run the floor and see the open man. He is capable of playing either guard spot, and plays hard all the time.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Jamison Carlisle ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Camas ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"He's a really good athlete and great in the open floor. He's another one who really plays defense and moves his feet extremely well. He is best at getting to the rim. He is a great at finishing  and a great defender. He's a smooth player who can cover a lot of ground in not many dribbles.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->