Fast-Rising 2A/1A Juniors in the 2024 Rankings

Previous Rank: 10

Simmons looks to be getting more and more comfortable operating with his extreme length, leading his team to a 23-3 record this past season. Last summer, he was still mostly a threat around the paint and struggled sometimes finishing through contact. By the time the regular season ended, he was still that same paint threat but was more physical on both ends of the floor and had developed a nice shot from the outside. In fact, the last game of his I watched, he stroked four 3-pointers in a row in the opening quarter and looked like a much-improved shooter.

Previous Rank: 34

The Monarchs surprised a few people, making it all the way to the 2A state title game this season. Most people were at least somewhat familiar with their leading scorer, Kobe Parlin Kobe Parlin 6'1″ | CG Mark Morris | 2023 State WA , but Olson stepped up to be a dynamic scorer alongside Parlin and averaged over 20 points per game. He showed his worth and potential on a team that knocked off the previously undefeated and top-ranked 2A squad, Pullman, and will get a chance to be the number one guy next season.

Previous Rank: 77

The 6-foot-6 Quincy forward is another frontcourt player who took to expanding his game this season. Like the aforementioned Ajayi Simmons Ajayi Simmons 6'7″ | SF Garfield | 2024 State WA , Bews showed off a budding 3-point shot that could help propel him further up the rankings as it continues to improve. He’s an underrated athlete, running the floor and finishing strong at the rim, but Bews also has a bevy of inside moves that give him a legit inside game. Don’t be shocked if his Jackrabbits make a real run in the 1A next season as they return almost all of their roster.

Previous Rank: 62

Powaukee is the first wing on this list of risers and could have the most well-rounded game of the players mentioned. He’s a big kid at 6-foot-4, has a good wingspan which translates to high-level defense, good rebounding, and strong finishing at the rim. He’s an above average athlete who can wham one down or catch an alley-oop, and he has an improved outside shot that brings his whole game together. He was a secondary scorer for the top-ranked Greyhounds last season and should step right into the leading role next season, with an opportunity to showcase more playmaking and scoring.

Previous Rank: 96

The first of our deeper picks, Trichler is a poised guard who controls the pace and flow of the game with ease, picking and choosing when and where to attack. He can score from all over, and while his offensive game is impressive, it’s his instincts and defensive playmaking that make him stand out. He just reads the floor so well, knows when to gamble, and can translate defensive stops into buckets at the snap of a finger. He pairs up with the next guy on our list, his brother, to make a dynamic duo at Sultan who should be on everyone’s radar next season.

Previous Rank: 95

Toby is another player that displays great instincts, an ability to score from all levels, and make things happen on the defensive side of the ball too. But Toby’s shining trait is the ability to make tough shots and his tenacity in attacking defenses. While Eli seems to be more methodical in his approach, Toby is a guy that will push into defenses, force them to react to what he wants to do, and score anyway. He helped Sultan to a 20-4 record this season and will have a great opportunity to take it one step further next year.