Watch List to Ranked: 2025 Players Making the Leap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of these next players became key guys for their respective teams this season and caught our eye to make the leap into our 2025 rankings. They had been on our radar for some time but showed more than enough to warrant being included in this update and look likely to continue their ascents up the rankings next season. A couple of them are probably still a little under the radar but there are also some names here that made big statements and surely caught the eye of others around the state. Here are some of the guys making the jump from watch list to ranked in this edition of the 2025 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1485655"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Singh's contributions to Mountlake Terrace this season were irreplaceable. He was a key defender on a team that hung their hat on the defensive side of the ball, often taking on opposing teams' top guys, guarding players bigger than him, probably quicker, and was able to stifle some talented scorers along the way. He's just a tough kid with an always churning motor who can D-up on the perimeter and on the blocks. He's also a vital rebounder for the Hawks, but don't discount his ability to chip in on the offensive end either. He doesn't miss many shots inside and is liable to step out and knock down an outside shot here and there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1696799"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Probably this most underrated guy on the 4A champions, Ahrens is an athletic forward who plays above his weight class to be a key player inside for the Vikings. He is an outstanding defender who can matchup with almost every position and works his tail off to be in the right spots on both ends of the floor. He started to show some glimpses of an expanded offensive game as well and could turn into a reliable shooter from outside that spaces the floor against opposing bigs.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1450998"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Dickau probably got the least playing time of the guys on this list but his time on the floor was still impactful. He was a reliable ballhandler for the top-seeded team at the 3A tournament and plays with good awareness and some playmaking ability at the point. He'll probably step into a more relied upon ballhandler and playmaking role next season and has already shown the craftiness to be a key contributor up top. He finds spaces to attack with the ball, can hit with floaters inside, and should help Mt Spokane make another run at state next season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1485585"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":1600267,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The Mountlake Terrace guard showed some real gumption this postseason, hitting timely shots from the perimeter and the foul line, and has that big game clutch that not every player develops. He looked pretty comfortable scoring the ball at times this season and will surely be thrust into a big role next season. He plays with grit, focus, and an attacking attitude no matter who lines up on the other side.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1450987"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"This guy is probably one of the more underrated names on this list but if he is able to help lift East Valley to a playoff appearance next season, he should start to garner more attention. He's starting to get a little bigger, a little stronger, and was already an excellent ballhandler and playmaker for the Red Devils. Esquivel also has a 3-point shot that seems to be getting better and better, and he could end up being one of the top point guards in the 2A next season. Keep an eye out for this under the radar player who shows a knack for making plays and has the instincts to stand out in any game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1450994"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Gilderhus is a talented player with the ball, breaking down defenders with a tight handle, and sinking shots from deep with a quick release. He had plenty of big games this season and is a guy that can really get rolling when a couple shots start to fall. He is part of a young and fun backcourt at Rogers that could make a good run next season in the South Puget Sound League.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641a194e8ef96"} /-->