2A Preview: Top 5 Non-League Games to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are some of the top teams in the 2A division competing against each other in non-league games, giving us a chance to see some of the top-ranked players in 2A play against new competition. Unless they meet again in the playoffs, it is likely the only opportunity to see these teams and players go head-to-head. Here are my top 5 non-league games to watch in the 2A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 10 Franklin Pierce @ Sammamish 5:15 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450568' first='Mason' last='Thomas'] (Franklin Pierce), [player_tooltip player_id='1450984' first='Javon' last='Barbee'] (Franklin Pierce), [player_tooltip player_id='1439247' first='Zakarie' last='Abdulkadir'] (Sammamish), [player_tooltip player_id='1631542' first='Barry' last='Morrisette'] (Sammamish)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes:</em> Both teams barely got a taste of the 2A State Tournament last season. Sammamish was knocked out in Regionals, while Franklin Pierce lost in round one at State. They boast some of the best scoring guards in the 2A in Thomas and Abdulkadir, and [player_tooltip player_id='1450984' first='Javon' last='Barbee'] looks to add to a long lineage of Barbee's at Franklin Pierce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 19 Clarkston @ Ellensburg 5:00 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450933' first='Xavier' last='Santana'] (Clarkston), [player_tooltip player_id='1052463' first='Gavin' last='Marrs'] (Ellensburg), [player_tooltip player_id='1365931' first='Emmett' last='Fenz'] (Ellensburg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>Santana is one of the most electric players in the 2A but his Clarkston team was upset in districts last year and missed out on the State Playoffs. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='1052463' first='Gavin' last='Marrs'] is back and the Oregon State commit is ready to lead Ellensburg on a deep run in the 2A with the help of Fenz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 20 Renton @ Port Angeles 7:00 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1451027' first='Dennis' last='Johnson III'] (Renton), [player_tooltip player_id='1450992' first='Jordan' last='Agosto'] (Renton), [player_tooltip player_id='1450492' first='Ajayi' last='Simmons'] (Renton), [player_tooltip player_id='1086787' first='De'Rai' last='Taylor'] (Renton), [player_tooltip player_id='1450564' first='Parker' last='Nickerson'] (Port Angeles)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>Renton was one of the top 2A teams last season until they lost their footing in districts and missed the State Tournament. It's a new-look team but the guard play is there and they have a supremely talented big man in Simmons. Port Angeles is going through some changes as well, losing their top two players from last season, but Nickerson is an underrated player who could lead the Roughriders to some surprising wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Jan 16 Lynden vs North Kitsap (@ Showare Center) 2:00 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450490' first='Anthony' last='Canales'] (Lynden), [player_tooltip player_id='1417278' first='Coston' last='Parcher'] (Lynden), <strong>Kobe Barr </strong>(Lynden), <strong>Brant Heppner</strong> (Lynden), [player_tooltip player_id='1450488' first='Cade' last='Orness'] (North Kitsap), [player_tooltip player_id='1450502' first='Harry' last='Davies'] (North Kitsap)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>Lynden won the 2A Tournament last season but North Kitsap was one of the top teams all year, and both should be in contention for the 2A State Title again this season. Led by some of the best prospects at the 2A level in Canales and Orness, these teams should meet in an exciting battle this January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Jan 16 Sammamish @ Port Angeles (Possibly @ Renton HS) 3:00 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1439247' first='Zakarie' last='Abdulkadir'] (Sammamish), [player_tooltip player_id='1631542' first='Barry' last='Morrisette'] (Sammamish), [player_tooltip player_id='1450564' first='Parker' last='Nickerson'] (Port Angeles)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>This will be a matchup of teams looking to prove they have what it takes to make a move toward the 2A State Playoffs in 2022-23. At this juncture in the year, it should be a crucial game that could swing these teams' seasons one way or the other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->