Preseason 3A All-State Teams
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The 3A division has possibly the deepest talent pool of all the divisions in Washington. When it came to filling out the Preseason All-State teams there were a number of ways it could have gone. However, only eleven players make…
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Continue ReadingThe 3A division has possibly the deepest talent pool of all the divisions in Washington. When it came to filling out the Preseason All-State teams there were a number of ways it could have gone. However, only eleven players make the cut, and when making this list I focused not just on talent but how much each of these players meant to their respective teams. We won’t know until it’s over, but these are my preseason picks for 3A Player of the Year and All-State Teams.
POY
Stewart was by all means an All-State-caliber player last season, so it reasons that he would be a solid pick for 3A Player of the Year. He’s an athletic, three-level scorer who is an excellent defender as well. There is no getting around the fact that Garfield was disappointed with last season’s result, and I expect Stewart to lead a highly motivated Bulldog team this winter. The four-star recruit heads to Mansfield after this season to suit up for Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies.
First Team
It is not often you get to say the second rated player in a class is underrated, but Timberline’s Brooklyn Hicks Brooklyn Hicks 6’3″ | CG Timberline | 2023 State #168 Nation WA is the real deal. He had an outstanding summer, garnering national attention and eventually committing to college ball at UNLV just last week. An exceptional athlete, Hicks is a mastermind defensively and will shoulder an even bigger load this season with Miles Gurske Miles Gurske 6’0″ | PG Rainier Beach | 2023 State WA leaving for Rainier Beach. He is a guy that could contend for Player of the Year as well.
The 6’8 shooter from Seattle Prep also recently committed, staying home to play for Coach Hopkins and the Washington Huskies. King elevated his game this summer after earning a reputation for strictly shooting in the 2021-22 season. He’s expanded his game and is ready to take the lead now that Braeden Smith and Tyler Mrus are gone. They’ve got some young talent coming up so look for King to flash some more playmaking skills this season and still shoot the lights out.
The first Junior on this team, Cofie is another player who showed immense growth over the summer and I am anxious to see how he performs in the high school season. He’s big, strong, can move quickly and gracefully. He is showing more aggression on both ends of the floor and there are very few players in the state that can adequately guard him. I’m looking for a big season from Cofie at Eastside Catholic.
McDaniel is back for his senior season and leads a Silas squad that should not go overlooked. He already holds offers from Washington, Montana, Portland State, and Portland, but should get a lot more once the season gets going. McDaniel had one of the stronger sophomore seasons you’ll see, controlling pace, firing from long-range and showing elite finishing at the rim. After missing last year, he is back to lead Silas to its first state tournament since his freshman year when McDaniel and Damani Green led then Wilson to a fourth-place finish.
Sanders is one of the most potent defenders across the state with good athleticism, great timing, and a top-notch motor. He can lineup against guards or posts and makes impact plays on the defensive side of the ball. He went on a tear at the end of last season, culminating in a fifth-place finish at State and a first-round victory over eventual champs, Auburn. Mt. Spokane returns a deep squad led by this man here and should contend for a shot at the 3A Title in 2022-23.
Highlights
Second Team
Baumann has a strong case to be a first-team All-State player. He plays a versatile game with so much calm and control that he may have gone overlooked last year. Well, he had a phenomenal spring and summer which helped him get some of the recognition he deserves. He’ll be the main source of points and playmaking for a Shorecrest team that went 20-4 last season. Baumann is a creative player with exceptional size as a guard.
Highlights
McCullum Jr. is one of the top rebounders in the state and combines that with Charmin soft touch around the rim. He plays with a hunger and forcefulness in the paint that leads to lots of trip to the line and extra possessions for his team. He’s a double-double threat night after night and is a key piece to a team with title dreams.
Landram makes this team because of his ability to do a little bit of everything. He is a supremely impactful player for the Tides, crashing the boards, getting stocks, and drilling shots from all over the court. His length and athleticism help fill a lot of gaps for Gig Harbor as they look to make back-to-back trips to State and build on last year’s quarterfinal appearance.
Over on the eastside of the state in Cheney, Washington, is an absolute stud player waiting to blowup. Stinson quietly put up numbers and made first-team all-league in the Greater Spokane League as a sophomore. He’s a big, fluid player with a flurry of moves that get him space to get off his knockdown jumper. Cheney will ride wherever he takes them, and he should have plenty of big games ahead of him this season.
Sometimes players put up big numbers being the only go-to-guy on their teams, but Williams has an opportunity to be the guy on a team of “guys.” O’Dea is a deeply talented team and Williams leads the way for them. He should have plenty of space to operate as defenses have to key on just about everyone the Irish throw on the floor. He has narrowed his recruitment to three schools: Montana, Washington State, and Eastern Washington. Williams reveals his decision this Friday the 28th.
All-State Watchlist
Miles Gurske Miles Gurske 6'0" | PG Rainier Beach | 2023 State WA , Zaveon Jones Zaveon Jones 6'2" | SF Mountlake Terrace | 2024 State WA , Emmett Marquardt Emmett Marquardt 6'6" | SF Garfield | 2023 State WA , Myles Daymon Myles Daymon 6'1" | PG Garfield | 2023 State WA , Ryan Lafferty Ryan Lafferty 6'5" | CG Mt Spokane | 2024 State #320 Nation WA , Luke Browne Luke Browne 6'6" | SG Gig Harbor | 2023 State WA , Ryan Gallagher Ryan Gallagher 6'4" | SG Liberty | 2023 State WA , Amare Jackson Amare Jackson 6'5" | SF O'Dea | 2023 State WA , Miles Goodman Miles Goodman 6'10" | PF Southern California Academy | 2024 CA-S