1A Preview: Top 5 Non-League Games to Watch

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As we prepare for the new hoops season to get underway I did a little digging to uncover the best non-league games to watch this year. This list excludes in-season tournaments, of which there will be plenty, and focuses on the best 1A non-league games. These games include some of the top players and top teams from this division, and you may only get one chance to see them compete against each other. Here are my top 5 non-league games in the 1A division this season.

Dec 2 King’s vs Blaine (@ Nooksack HS) 5:40 PM

Notes: King’s were runners-up in last year’s 1A State Tournament. Cam Hiatt Cam Hiatt 6'4" | CG Western Reserve Academy | 2025 OH was one of the best freshmen in the state and takes the lead for the Knights this year. Blaine’s seniors look to lead them deeper than their first-round exit at last year’s tournament, and it starts with a great test against King’s.

Dec 28 Quincy @ Freeman 6:30 PM

Notes: These two teams actually met at the end of last season after both suffered losses in the second round of the State Playoffs. Freeman took the win by double digits, but both teams lost some key players between now and then. Quincy has two super-solid players leading their charge while Freeman depends on Phelps to light their fire. Young talent stepping up could be the difference in this one.

Dec 29 Chelan @ Freeman 5:00 PM

Notes: Freeman takes on two of the top teams from District 5 in back-to-back nights, ending with a Chelan team that knows how to put a lot of points on the board. Dylan Jay Dylan Jay 6'4" | SG Phhoenix Prep | 2024 State AZ is a tall sharpshooter that fits the mold of Chelan’s attack. Boyd was an all-league player last season and Isaac Wilson steps up to run point for the Goats.

Jan 14 Lynden Christian @ Seattle Academy 2:30 PM

Players to Watch: Tyler Sipma Tyler Sipma 6'0" | CG Lynden Christian | 2023 State WA (Lynden Christian), Jeremiah Wright Jeremiah Wright 6'6" | PF Lynden Christian | 2024 State WA (Lynden Christian), Kayden Stuit Kayden Stuit 6'4" | PF Lynden Christian | 2024 State WA (Lynden Christian), Griffin Dykstra Griffin Dykstra 6'0" Lynden Christian | 2023 WA (Lynden Christian), Carson DeBruhl Carson DeBruhl 6'0" | CG Seatte Academy | 2023 WA (Seattle Academy), Chaney Wampold Chaney Wampold 5'9" | PG Seattle Academy | 2024 WA (Seattle Academy), Finn McSherry Finn McSherry 6'2" | CG Seattle Academy | 2023 WA (Seattle Academy), Jalani Clemmons Jalani Clemmons 6'2" | SG Seattle Academy | 2025 State WA (Seattle Academy), Miles Struss Miles Struss 6'7" | PF Seattle Academy | 2025 State WA (Seattle Academy)

Notes: Lynden Christian is the defending 1A Champions and shows no reason why they can’t repeat. Meanwhile, Seattle Academy is full of up-and-coming talent and has a good mix of experienced guards that could lead them to a strong season in 2022-23.

Jan 26 Zillah @ Chelan 7:15 PM

Notes: Zillah will lean heavily on the Navarre brothers this season with Luke a returning all-league player and versatile scorer, and Dominic a budding player with big size and increasing skill. This will be another heavyweight matchup in the 1A late in the season.