Preseason Predictions: MVP and First Team – 2A CWAC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this new series of articles, I will be showcasing each conference and predicting who could possibly win the MVP for the conference and see who could make each of the all conference teams in each one. This article will be about the 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference MVP and first team selections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>MVP:</em></strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1696634' first='Jackson' last='Pepper'] (2025) - Selah HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one was a tough one to choose. I went back and forth between 2 different guys, the other guy being [player_tooltip player_id='1485677' first='Garrett' last='Marrs'], 2025 graduate from Ellensburg. Pepper is overall a very tough player to matchup with. He can score from all three levels and can create his own shot in unique ways. He has a high basketball IQ, rarely making the wrong decision. Pepper would join his brothers Levi, Noah, and Elijah to win the award, if he succeeds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other MVP Candidates:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1485677' first='Garrett' last='Marrs'] c/o 2025 - Ellensburg HS , [player_tooltip player_id='1451028' first='Koby' last='McClure'] c/o 2025 - Prosser HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>First Team Predictions:</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1696634' first='Jackson' last='Pepper'] (2025) - Selah HS</em> - see above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1485677' first='Garrett' last='Marrs'] (2025) - Ellensburg HS</em> - Garrett is set for a breakout year with him likely being the main option on the offensive side of the ball. His brother is headed over to Oregon State to continue his basketball journey but when his brother missed time last year, Garrett stepped up to help lead the team alongside last year's league MVP, Emmett Fenz. He's continued to showcase growth during the AAU season with [program_tooltip program_id='2076260' first='FOH' last=''] Seattle. He stretches the floor very nicely, hitting outside shots with ease often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1451028' first='Koby' last='McClure'] (2025) - Prosser HS</em> - Koby was named first team all league last season after a very solid season. He is able to control the pace of the game very well, forcing teams to play the pace he would like. Koby hits shots at a high rate, being able to pull up for mid-range shots or hit deep shots. He is a dark horse candidate to take home the league MVP.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450574' first='Kory' last='McClure'] (2024) - Prosser HS</em> - Kory was also named first team all league last season alongside his brother, Koby. They play very similar games to each but to me, Kory is a better deep shooter whereas Koby is more of a facilitator. Kory can score at a high rate and when he is feeling it, he could hit 5-6 threes in a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450987' first='Eli' last='Esquivel'] (2025) - East Valley HS </em>- Eli is an electric guard on the court. He leads his team very well, being able to handle the ball at a high level and facilitate the offense smoothly. He runs the court well, doing a great job at pushing the ball down the court quickly with either his speed or a pass. Eli is a bit undersized but he makes up for it with his willingness to do anything to win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1594659' first='Chase' last='Staymates'] (2025) - East Valley HS</em> - Chase was named honorable mention last season and I think he will take the jump skill-wise to make the first team. He stands at 6'8" and is a force down low in the paint and is tough to matchup against. Chase is a great rebounder, using his body well to his advantage moving out opposing players to grab the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->