Statewide Snapshot: Juniors and Sophomores On the Rise
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There are a lot of players in the 2024 and 2025 classes that are starting to make some real noise across the state. I decided to go around the different regions and find just a few guys from across the…
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Continue ReadingThere are a lot of players in the 2024 and 2025 classes that are starting to make some real noise across the state. I decided to go around the different regions and find just a few guys from across the state that have been laying the groundwork for strong finishes to the season, and major growth heading into the next year.
Seattle Region
Wilcher has already had some big moments for Rainier Beach, and although the backcourt for the squad in the Rainier Valley is deep as hell, he seems to be getting his fair share of looks. He’s a microwave guy, doesn’t struggle to get his shot but can be a little streaky when it comes to finishing the play. He appears quicker and stronger since even the summer and is starting to make those streaks go in his favor more and more.
Highlights
Wright showed off a pure stroke in the AAU season and has continued to shoot with phenomenal touch from just about any spot on the court. Shots from downtown still need to convert at a little higher rate, but his ability to hit the midrange from various takeoffs is impressive. He’s handled a lot of ballhandling duties as well and looks to be a potential breakout player next season.
Najera has been the ultimate compliment to Shorecrest’s lineup with his playmaking, sturdy dribbling, and ability cut up defenses inside. He really is one of the best in his class at continuing the dribble after failed drives and finding ways to reset and keep composure to get another crack at it. He sprinkles in some threes every now and then and could be a guy who really shines comes postseason time.
R’Monte Fields
R’Monte Fields
First time seeing Fields was against a sizeable O’Dea squad. He caught my eye because of the way he fought inside against the Irish’s bigger lineup, stealing away rebounds and chalking up a handful of second chance points. He looked bigger than 6’2, but either way his hustle led to huge plays, and he was able to offset the size disadvantage inside.
Kaden Powers
Kaden Powers
Powers is another Rainier Beach kid I only got a brief look at, but he shows a promising skillset. Can’t say I saw him make many buckets, but he is a bigger kid at 6’5, who’s already playing on the wings and taking guys off the dribble. He showed great confidence in searching for his shot and getting into spots where he could make plays. With a little more time and finesse he could turn into a big player for the Vikings down the road.
South Sound Region
I’ve been waiting to see the Tides’ new 6’8 forward and finally got my wish in a tight game against Capital. First thing that jumps out is how big of a load this kid is. He is not going to be moved easily, and if you try and shove him away be prepared for a shove back. He’s a physical presence and seems to have decent enough ball skills to hop out on the perimeter and run some sets with hand-offs, pick and rolls, swing the ball around, or take a few dribbles away to relieve pressure.
Lindblom has taken a big step into the starting lineup this season and provided yet another guard who can work off the bounce and get his own shot. In their big win against Curtis last week, he was especially potent working towards the middle of the floor and hitting a spin move into the fadeaway or pulling up to his right from the elbow. He also has the ability to knife inside and drew a couple fouls on top of making some nice finishes.
Here’s another kid who has found his way into the starting lineup more often than not. Ahrens has taken on the big man role for the undersized Curtis squad and has played some big minutes solidifying the interior for a team hoping to return to the 4A title game. He’s a hard worker and makes life tough for bigger guys inside with his tenacity on the glass and ability to draw charges. He knows his role right now but still has some room to grow and shows that potential when he steps out to nail down the occasional shot from downtown.
Eastside Region (King County)
Candon Bible
Candon Bible
Bible is one of many smaller, agile guards for the Crusaders that seem to dart around the court with limitless energy. He reminds me a lot of his teammate, Ishe Kanhukamwe Ishe Kanhukamwe 5’9″ | PG Garfield | 2024 State WA , with his shiftiness and defensive intensity. That being said, he seems to only have one speed at times, and it can affect his touch and body control at the rim. If he can get that part of his game down, he could be yet another slashing, defensive pest for Eastside Catholic down the stretch.
Two of Tahoma’s top players graduated after last season, and in their void, it has been Dalton Brown Dalton Brown 6’6″ | SF Tahoma | 2024 State WA leading the Bears. Don’t get me wrong, they have had many players stepping up into the fold this season, but Brown is putting in 17.5 points per game and seems to be getting better as the year goes on. He’s kind of a mix between wing and post, and he has a knack for following the ball and being in the right spot at the right time. The Bears have had some big wins already and look to keep this train rolling into the postseason.
North Region
The lefty out of Stanwood has been progressively getting better, from last season to the summer, to exploding offensively this season. He’s diversified his game from a sharpshooter to a guy who can search and sift through the middle of defenses and make some plays with the dribble. He’s actually a really strong rebounding guard as well and has been playing with a good mix of poise and aggression this year.
The big man out of Nooksack was matched up against Lynden Christian’s Jeremiah Wright Jeremiah Wright 6’6″ | PF Lynden Christian | 2024 State WA when I watched him play. He was able to play straight up defense, mostly without fouling, and appears to be one of the physically stronger post players in his class despite only being 6’4. He showed off some nice feel out of the post and short corner as well, finding dives and cutters going to the basket.
Caden Heutink
Caden Heutink
I first saw Heutink in the same game against Lynden Christian where he had to contend with one of the best 1A guards in Tyler Sipma Tyler Sipma 6’0″ | CG Lynden Christian | 2023 State WA . Heutink was able to get things going and get into the lane fairly easily most of the game, finishing the play himself or finding the open kick out. He even showed he can hit with the jumper too, nailing a couple from mid-range and stepping out to three.
Eastern Washington
Isaac Bone
Isaac Bone
All the way over at Tekoa-Rosalia is a 6’5 guard who can take games over in the 1B. Isaac Bone handles the ball a lot and he shoots a lot too. He stands out against most opponents on the court and is a versatile, do-it-all player for the T-Wolves. He can get going from long-range with a quick and high release, but he also looks like he has the bounce to throw one down at the rim and was able to send a couple shots back when I checked him out. He’s one to keep tabs on especially if Tekoa-Rosalia can wiggle their way into the 1B tournament.
Bews is having a big season at Quincy pouring in buckets and wrangling in the rebounds. He’s up to almost 20 points per game and has been doing it all around the paint. I’ve seen him step out to hit a three every blue moon, but mostly he sticks to jump hooks from the block or an occasional elbow jumper. He has good instincts inside on both ends of the floor and adding some more moves inside to go with more practiced footwork would go a long way to improving his post-game that has already been a huge factor this season.