4A/3A Preview: Top 10 Non-League Games to Watch (Pt I)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The games just keep on coming and these non-league games are just a taste of what the coming season has to offer. The 4A and 3A divisions are stacked with talent yet again, so I had to dig up the best games for you to enjoy this coming season with the top teams and most attractive prospects Washington has to offer. Here is the first part of the top upper division non-league matchups coming your way in 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Nov 29 Everett @ Seattle Prep 7:00 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450954' first='Isaiah' last='White'] (Everett), [player_tooltip player_id='1425653' first='Hayden' last='Conaxis'] (Everett), [player_tooltip player_id='923126' first='Daniel' last='Savovic'] (Everett), [player_tooltip player_id='1587979' first='Isaiah' last='Parker'] (Everett), [player_tooltip player_id='923118' first='Christian' last='King'] (Seattle Prep), [player_tooltip player_id='1631540' first='Nirvaan' last='Misra'] (Seattle Prep), <strong>Soloman Ashenafi</strong> (Seattle Prep), [player_tooltip player_id='1485543' first='Beckham' last='King'] (Seattle Prep)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>While Everett is a team building on last season and getting ready to make their push this season, Seattle Prep is a squad re-tooling and looking for younger players to step in and fill roles left by a talented 2022 class. [player_tooltip player_id='923118' first='Christian' last='King'] is a UW-bound guard/forward that has the talent to lead Prep far but in this matchup it is going to be a challenge to overcome the balanced attack of Everett.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Nov 29 Timberline @ O'Dea 7:15 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1270609' first='Brooklyn' last='Hicks'] (Timberline), [player_tooltip player_id='1463069' first='Darrell' last='Gipson'] (Timberline), [player_tooltip player_id='1485586' first='Kenyon' last='Simmons'] (Timberline), [player_tooltip player_id='923132' first='Mason' last='Williams'] (O'Dea), [player_tooltip player_id='1086786' first='Amare' last='Jackson'] (O'Dea), [player_tooltip player_id='1439541' first='Miles' last='Clark'] (O'Dea), [player_tooltip player_id='1440564' first='Malcolm' last='Clark'] (O'Dea), [player_tooltip player_id='1463067' first='Noel' last='Davis'] (O'Dea), [player_tooltip player_id='1450495' first='Miles' last='Goodman'] (O'Dea), [player_tooltip player_id='1612193' first='Pawlose' last='Aschalew'] (O'Dea), [player_tooltip player_id='1416693' first='Quincy' last='Linton'] (O'Dea)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>Timberline has one of the top players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1270609' first='Brooklyn' last='Hicks'] who has the ability to single-handedly lead a team to the playoffs. However, it is going to be a tough test against a deeply talented and balanced O'Dea team who has the look of a 3A Title contender. The Irish have the ability to attack you from outside, inside, behind the arc, and slashing to the hoop. It may not turn out great for Timberline but this matchup should bring out the best in Hicks, a UNLV commit with supreme athleticism and IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 6 Jackson @ Woodinville 7:15 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1416319' first='Sylas' last='Williams'] (Jackson), [player_tooltip player_id='1450608' first='Ryan' last='McFerran'] (Jackson), [player_tooltip player_id='1420211' first='Harris' last='Kampe'] (Jackson), [player_tooltip player_id='1450576' first='Jamison' last='Atwood'] (Woodinville), [player_tooltip player_id='1440884' first='Jaiden' last='Blackmon'] (Woodinville), [player_tooltip player_id='1450612' first='Hudson' last='Duff'] (Woodinville), <strong>Ethan Unruh</strong> (Woodinville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>Jackson made a late push in districts last season, showing what they were truly capable of. Now they get another shot at the 4A Tournament with [player_tooltip player_id='1416319' first='Sylas' last='Williams'] looking ready to dominate this season. Woodinville was on the cusp of something last year but they lose seven seniors from last season and look to re-tool in 2022-23. The Falcons have an emerging cast of players that could surprise some in the KingCo and make their own path to a state tournament appearance. Either way, this should be a good early-season test for both teams as they look to get out of the gates hot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 9 Davis @ Richland 7:30 PM </h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450999' first='Cesar' last='Hernandez'] (Davis), [player_tooltip player_id='1450565' first='Blake' last='Garza'] (Davis), [player_tooltip player_id='1450945' first='Brandon' last='Lee'] (Davis), <strong>Finnegan Anderson</strong> (Davis), [player_tooltip player_id='1450498' first='Lucas' last='Westerfield'] (Richland), [player_tooltip player_id='1612191' first='Josh' last='Woodard'] (Richland), [player_tooltip player_id='1612194' first='Zaevion' last='Gladney'] (Richland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>Davis went 19-3 last season but graduated a pair of key seniors from a year ago. That being said, the rest of the key guys are back and only entering their junior and sophomore seasons. Davis has plenty of guys to make another run to the state tournament this season and this matchup with Richland should give a good idea of how well they will fair in that quest. Richland also loses some key upperclassmen but they too had a good mix last season of older and younger players. The Bombers have a great complement of inside and outside players that should have them also in contention for a spot at the 4A tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 10<em> </em>Union @ Mt Si 6:30 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1270717' first='Yanni' last='Fassilis'] (Union), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1416285' first='Josiah' last='Baldassare']</strong> (Union), [player_tooltip player_id='1493980' first='Evan' last='Manville'] (Union), [player_tooltip player_id='923112' first='Miles' last='Heide'] (Mt Si), [player_tooltip player_id='1450486' first='Trevor' last='Hennig'] (Mt Si), [player_tooltip player_id='1450494' first='Blake' last='Forrest'] (Mt Si), [player_tooltip player_id='1177126' first='Bennett' last='Olujic'] (Mt Si)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Notes: </em>Union was a top 4A team last season but relied heavily on some seniors that are no longer there. However, they did retain 2023 point-forward [player_tooltip player_id='1270717' first='Yanni' last='Fassilis'] who brings attitude, leadership, and tons of skills to the hardwood. Alongside him, the Titans bring back some nice size and skill in the frontcourt and could be one of the few teams in a position to give [player_tooltip player_id='923112' first='Miles' last='Heide'] a tough time. Mt Si still has enough talent around the perimeter to pull out the win but it will be an interesting game early on in the season and the result could be a good barometer for Union and where their season is headed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->