Top Ranked 1A teams as we enter post-season play

Here I will be previewing the top ranked teams in the 1A classification that could go far in the state tournament. The rankings I will be looking at is the WIAA RPI rankings. I will be previewing each classification, but the 1A class is first.

Zillah 18-1 (7-0 league)

Zillah is a tough, gritty, well coached team. They are lead by senior Luke Navarre Luke Navarre 6'5" | SG Zillah | 2023 State WA and key role players in senior Aiden Garza, junior Dominic Navarre Dominic Navarre 6'7" | PF Zillah | 2024 State WA , and junior Yisrael Sandoval, to name a few. They all play so well off each other and support each other through everything, which makes them a great team. Their one loss was only the third game in the year away against Grandview, which they lost by 6. They haven’t looked back and have some very solid wins against teams like Selah, Toppenish, Chelan, and Prosser to name a few. They are going to make a deep run in the tournament, maybe even winning it all.

Lynden Christian 18-2 (12-2 league)

Lynden Christian is a team who is near the top of the standings every single year. That is due to some fantastic coaching, having players be familiar with the system, and they ALWAYS have athletes apart of the program. They are led by senior guard Tyler Sipma Tyler Sipma 6'0" | CG Lynden Christian | 2023 State WA and junior big man Jeremiah Wright Jeremiah Wright 6'6" | PF Lynden Christian | 2024 State WA . The 2 of them were apart of the state championship team last year, along with others on the team. That will help them in the tournament, having players who have been there could be a big advantage. They played some tough non-league games against Kings, Mountlake Terrace, Glacier Peak, and Sumner. Their 2 losses against league opponents were close games that I feel like they will adjust the mistakes made and be just fine come tournament time.

Annie Wright 18-1 (14-0 league)

Annie Wright is a team with a ton of overall talent that also plays very good together as a team. Their one loss comes to a 6A team out of Oregon, Mountainside HS who plays some of the top teams in Oregon. They have a solid non-league win against Silas, which was honestly their only close game this year. They won by 8 points, that being their only game within 10 points. They haven’t been tested much this year and they are a very young team being led by sophomores Martin Kaupanger Martin Kaupanger 6'5" | SG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA and Jeremiah Harshman Jeremiah Harshman 6'1" | PG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA . They play well off each other as a duo and know how to get their teammates involved. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Annie Wright with another deep run.

Toppenish 16-3 (6-1 league)

Toppenish plays in an extremely tough league, but has held their own with Zillah being their only league loss. Their non-league losses are from Selah and Grandview, both being away games. Toppenish is led by seniors Josh Perez Josh Perez 6'0" | SG Toppenish | 2023 WA and Shane Rivera. Rivera is a very underrated player, who scored his 1000th point for Toppenish earlier this season. He is a solid post player and Perez is a very solid point guard who facilitates nicely. They have another game against Zillah for their last game of the year, so that will be a big test before the post-season run begins.

Freeman 18-2 (12-0 league)

Freeman is a very skilled team led by seniors Boen Phelps Boen Phelps 6'2" | SG Freeman | 2023 State WA and Gabe Schulhauser. Gabe is a very good 3 point shooter and playmaker. The same thing could be said about Boen too, but Phelps is a little more athletic. Their 2 losses are to solid teams. Pullman being one and Lake City HS out of Idaho being the other. Both of those are losses they can deal with as they have taken care of every league game beating Lakeside (Nine-Mile) and Deer Park in both meeting with each team. Be on the watch for the Scotties, I think they could make some noise.