Top Ranked 3A teams as we enter post-season play

Here I will be previewing the top ranked teams in the 3A 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, you can read the 1A teams here : <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/02/top-ranked-1a-teams-as-we-enter-post-season-play/">https://prephoops.com/2023/02/top-ranked-1a-teams-as-we-enter-post-season-play/</a> and the 2A teams here : <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/02/top-ranked-2a-teams-as-we-enter-post-season-play/">https://prephoops.com/2023/02/top-ranked-2a-teams-as-we-enter-post-season-play/</a> . Here are some 3A teams to watch for.   Garfield 18-0 (14-0 league)   I don't think people can argue with me when I say that Garfield has the most talented roster within the entire state. They are stacked with talent all over including seniors [player_tooltip player_id='923128' first='Jaylin' last='Stewart'] (top ranked player in his class), [player_tooltip player_id='1436196' first='Myles' last='Daymon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1270842' first='Emmett' last='Marquardt'], as well as sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1450985' first='Legend' last='Smiley']. Stewart is headed to UCONN next year and has been having a phenomenal season for the Bulldogs. They are very well coached with former NBA player Brandon Roy at the helm. They have had some very tough games against O'Dea and Rainier Beach, but won all 4 of those games (played both teams 2 times.) They won a tough one against Eastside Catholic during the regular season too. Stewart can take over at any moment but it's the talent around them that keeps them going. [player_tooltip player_id='923116' first='Jamari' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='923105' first='Yemoni' last='Bradley-Howell'] are also 2 players who could step up when needed to provide for their team. Like I said, they are just too deep.   Mt Spokane 18-1 (8-0 league)   Mt Spokane is a very tall, lengthy team. Their one loss was to a dominate 4A team in Curtis, who have a very deep, talented team. They have some solid wins against North Central (x2), Gonzaga Prep, and Central Catholic (OR). They are led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1391705' first='Maverick' last='Sanders'], juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1450607' first='Andrew' last='Rayment'], Bode Gardner, and [player_tooltip player_id='1450491' first='Ryan' last='Lafferty']. All 4 of those players know their roles within the team and are great at getting their jobs done nightly. Lafferty is a top 5 player within his class and has a ton of potential. He's extremely athletic and can drive to the rack, step back and hit the 3, and is an improved facilitator. He's a solid rebounder for his size and has the ability to grab-and-go when he ends up with a defensive board, often finding Rayment or Sanders down the court. Lafferty is a player who can take over at any time but so is Sanders. Sanders is dominate on the defensive side of the ball, he is one of the most potent defenders across the state with good athleticism and a top-notch motor. He can lineup against guards or posts and makes big plays on the defensive end.   Arlington 16-3 (13-2 league)   Arlington is another team that has some very impressive wins on their schedule. They have wins against Camas, Cedarcrest, Lake Stevens, and Shorecrest. Their 3 losses have been tough ones, losing the first game of the year to a tough Sehome team but I think it's worth mentioning big man [player_tooltip player_id='1440561' first='David' last='Zachman'] was in foul trouble this whole game. They lost 2 league games, one to Mountlake Terrace and the other being a 1 point loss to Monroe HS. [player_tooltip player_id='1451025' first='Leyton' last='Martin'] is a player who has shown a lot of improvement this season and has evolved his game in a very positive way. Zachman does his thing down low and is always involved in the rebounds. He is patient on offense and gives his all every game. They play well as a team, which could be a recipe for wins late in the season.   Gig Harbor 19-2 (11-2 league)   Now Gig Harbor is a team that also has some solid victories. They have defeated Lynden in a non-league game and took care of Capital for both of their league matchups. There is one team that they couldn't sneak past and that was Timberline. Timberline took home the victory both meetings between these 2 teams and Gig Harbor is ready for post-season play to begin. They are led by arguably one of the best duos in the entire state in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1416283' first='Will' last='Landram'] and [player_tooltip player_id='923106' first='Luke' last='Browne']. Both play off each other so well and despite both being 6'6", they are EXTREMELY skilled on the perimeter. Inside the arc, they are different. Browne relies on strength and positioning inside to grab the rebounds or for shots from the post. Landram relies more on his athleticism and basketball IQ to do his damage.   Bellevue 18-2 (11-0 league)   Bellevue is a team that honestly, hasn't been tested much by a team within the state of Washington. They played a close one with Lake Washington but that was the sole game that was within 10 points. Looking back at it, they should have beat Roosevelt HS (OR) but it was early in the season and the team was just getting going. Their other loss to St Louis School (HI) was a respectable one. St Louis has played some of the top teams on the west coast and has held their own. Bellevue is led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1617873' first='Brady' last='Kageyama'] and [player_tooltip player_id='923133' first='Alex' last='Yu']. Brady's younger brother Bryce has also stepped up in a positive way for the team. Alex is the ultimate glue guy who is a very solid shooter from deep. He's willing to do the little things (rebounding, boxing out, making the extra pass) which is why he's so valuable to the squad. Brady does the things you love to see from a quick point guard with floor general skills. He works well out of the P&R and can get open looks for his teammates or pull up off the dribble. From 3, he can get clean looks with a transition pull-up, or coming off screens.

Here I will be previewing the top ranked teams in the 3A 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, you can read the 1A teams here : https://prephoops.com/2023/02/top-ranked-1a-teams-as-we-enter-post-season-play/ and the 2A teams here : https://prephoops.com/2023/02/top-ranked-2a-teams-as-we-enter-post-season-play/ . Here are some 3A teams to watch for.