Way Too Early 4A Top 10

Following the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/08/way-too-early-2a-top-10/">Way Too Early 2A Top 10</a>, here is my best guess at who could top the 4A this winter with a few under-the-radar teams to keep an eye on. Again, I have split this top 10 up into tiers but once we get outside of the top eight teams I think there is a lot of room for movement. Anyway, have fun with another Way Too Early set of predictions.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tier 1 - Title Favorites</h3>   1. Mt Si 2022-23 Record (25-4), return 6/13 varsity players   The Wildcats have been right up near the top for the last two seasons and there is no reason to think they can't finally bring home that elusive title in 2023-24. [player_tooltip player_id='1450486' first='Trevor' last='Hennig'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450494' first='Blake' last='Forrest'] return for their senior seasons and lead possibly an even more talented team than last year. They've added the Ford brothers (Langston and Lattimore), two ultra athletes in the frontcourt who can finish and defend high above the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1850529' first='Jake' last='Bonnofsky'] has developed into a reliable guard who shows the poise and skill to be a big add in the backcourt, and they have the depth with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2152256' first='Jack' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1954955' first='Nathan' last='Gardner'].   2. Tahoma 2022-23 Record (19-7), return 6/12 varsity players   Tahoma is another team that has shown it can keep producing year after year, and last year the next group of guys stepped up to show this is one of the biggest and most balanced teams in the 4A. They have versatility on the wings and in the front court with [player_tooltip player_id='1612261' first='Adam' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1612241' first='Dalton' last='Brown'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1612242' first='Jayden' last='Stephens']. The backcourt is deep with [player_tooltip player_id='2153068' first='Carter' last='Stonerock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1977236' first='Parker' last='Plowman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2021595' first='Tre' last='Wohlhuter']. On paper, they have all the tools to make a deep run and this is a group that plays really well together.   3. Davis 2022-23 Record (17-6), return 10/11 players   If there is any time for Davis to step up and have a shot at the title, it is now. They return 10 of 11 varsity players, all five starters, and are a unit that has played a lot of varsity minutes together. They have shooting with Brandon and [player_tooltip player_id='1850304' first='Tyson' last='Lee'], rebounding with [player_tooltip player_id='1450565' first='Blake' last='Garza'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1688028' first='Finnegan' last='Anderson'], playmaking and scoring with [player_tooltip player_id='1450999' first='Cesar' last='Hernandez'] and Anderson, and a deep senior-laden bench. Only three of their losses last season came by more than two points and they lost a heartbreaker at the state tournament to Skyline, 59-60. I have high hopes for this squad in 2023-24.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tier 2 - Contenders</h3>   4. Camas 2022-23 Record (20-9), return 7/12 varsity players   While it is going to be a different-looking Camas team this go around, they have a few younger players who have really elevated their game starting last season at the state tournament, and running throughout the spring and summer. [player_tooltip player_id='1450988' first='Jace' last='Vanvoorhis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450989' first='Beckett' last='Currie'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1863196' first='Ethan' last='Harris'] form a formidable top three that each bring something different to the table. Currie is a volume shooter who can explode at any moment and has continued to improve as a playmaker. Vanvoorhis is an electric slashing guard who can also shoot it from deep. And Harris is a 6-foot-7 combo forward who can block shots and rebound with his length but has also been effective attacking off the dribble and spacing the floor from three. This is a tough team that could make another run at State this winter.   5. Gonzaga Prep 2022-23 Record (24-5), return 8/11 varsity players   To be fair, I think this Bullpups team has the talent to be up in the title contenders tier but they have so many players shifting into larger roles that there are still some questions on how it will all play out. They lost three guys who have played big roles for the last few seasons (Jamil Miller, Jackson Floyd, Carter Verret). But the explosion of talent waiting behind them is undeniable. [player_tooltip player_id='1631550' first='Nate' last='Christy'] is their main frontcourt guy who has had a great summer. Behind him is a talented sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1685504' first='Dylynn' last='Groves'], who can shoot and play big. They have a plethora of guards ready to go, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1631543' first='Hudson' last='Floyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450986' first='Jayce' last='Swanson']. And then there is [player_tooltip player_id='1450501' first='Henry' last='Sandberg'] who has continued to be one of the most consistent scoring threats in the 4A. If these guys can gel and find their groove, they could be a sneaky pick to win it all.   6. Richland 2022-23 Record (22-6), return 6/12 varsity players   Seeing Richland down this low just goes to show how deep the 4A could be this season. They didn't place at last year's tournament but made it to the final eight and return four of their top six players for the 2023-24 season. They have a good mix of outside and inside players, defensively and offensively talented guys, and have some nice shooters to throw around big man [player_tooltip player_id='1450498' first='Lucas' last='Westerfield']. [player_tooltip player_id='1685503' first='Landen' last='Northrop'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1612191' first='Josh' last='Woodard'] are a solid backcourt combo who can shoot, slash, and dish. And [player_tooltip player_id='1837706' first='Jack' last='Forbes'] is an athletic wing who can defend and score the rock. They went undefeated in the MCC last season and have a great shot at making another run this year.   7. Woodinville 2022-23 Record (18-7), return 11/12 varsity players   The Falcons just missed out on a trip to State last season but return almost their entire varsity squad for 2023-24. They have a good mix of skill and size that should make them one of the top teams coming out of District 2. [player_tooltip player_id='1450576' first='Jamison' last='Atwood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1440884' first='Jaiden' last='Blackmon'] should lead the way but they also have guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1631563' first='Liam' last='Kelly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1850301' first='Warren' last='Bullock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450612' first='Hudson' last='Duff'], [player_tooltip player_id='2172120' first='KJ' last='Marley'], and Kai Kongarat who will play big roles and make them one of the deepest teams in 4A.   8. Kentwood 2022-23 Record (12-11), return 9/12 varsity players   Kentwood has the talent to be a real problem in the 4A and is led by a quartet who can all score and handle the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1587994' first='Mason' last='St Louis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450991' first='Corey' last='Tita'] should be their top scorers and bring a lot of athleticism to the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1434525' first='Blake' last='Stempniak'] is one of the top shooters in 4A who has the height to get his shot off from just about anywhere, and [player_tooltip player_id='1863193' first='Brandon' last='Tagle'] is a young point guard who's shown some incredible talent with the ball in his early years. They have some great pieces and should be able to build on last year's record and perhaps make a push to State.   9. Puyallup 2022-23 Record (14-10), return 11/12 varsity players   This team made a big leap last season and I think they can replicate that growth in 2023-24. Still a relatively young team, Puyallup has five sophomores, four juniors, and just two seniors coming back for this winter along with good size and skill at every position. [player_tooltip player_id='1463084' first='Isaiah' last='Sonntag'] will lead the way but guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1863244' first='Mason' last='Sonntag'], [player_tooltip player_id='1696693' first='Drew' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1685506' first='Will' last='Nasinec'], [player_tooltip player_id='1612216' first='Carsen' last='Lovett'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2375350' first='Lawson' last='Looker'] will all contribute. The Vikings looked like a really strong team in summer league and with the way they ended last season, should be a squad on everyone's radar.   10. Skyview 2022-23 Record (12-9), return 9/11 varsity players   This last spot was hard to choose but Skyview put together a good year in 2022-23 and has a deep lineup with a lot of guys that can hurt you. They return all-league guys in [player_tooltip player_id='1837761' first='Demaree' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2173011' first='Gavin' last='Packer'], have one of the top sophomores to watch in [player_tooltip player_id='1685505' first='Malakai' last='Weimer'], and have skilled guys with size like [player_tooltip player_id='1956182' first='Gavin' last='Perdue'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450960' first='Jaxson' last='Filler']. This could be a really fun team to watch who have a chance to win their league and make a big jump in 2023-24.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tier 3 - The Bubble</h3>   Graham Kapowsin 2022-23 Record (13-10), return 6/12 varsity players   GK is an interesting team on the bubble with a lot of backcourt talent and one potentially dominant big man ([player_tooltip player_id='1598394' first='Dominik' last='Robinson']). Robinson is a big, broad player at 6-foot-8 who has looked a lot more sure of himself this summer and could be poised for a big year. In the backcourt they have plenty of guys who can score the ball; Isaiah and [player_tooltip player_id='1485658' first='Isaac' last='Norris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1685507' first='Elijah' last='Gillespie'], [player_tooltip player_id='2156159' first='Ciaosen' last='Fuller'], and Ruben Abplanalp. This is a group that has the potential to ratchet up the defensive pressure and throw varying looks at you.   West Valley 2022-23 Record (15-9), return 7/12 varsity players   The Rams are probably a little under the radar but they were a competitive team last season and made the opening round of 16 at State before falling to Camas. They return key guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1450996' first='Landen' last='Birley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1587955' first='Parker' last='Mills'] who should provide a solid foundation this season. Both Birley and Mills have improved a lot over the last year and could have the Rams back in the state tournament this season, looking for better results.   Federal Way 2022-23 Record (25-3), return 4/12 varsity players   It is tough to find a team with more turnover from a season ago than Federal Way, but this team still has plenty of firepower to make another run back to the state tournament. With [player_tooltip player_id='1450499' first='Kofi' last='Peyton'] returning to lead the attack, the Eagles have a solid scorer who can make any game difficult for opposing teams. They also have backcourt guys in [player_tooltip player_id='1485652' first='Angelo' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1485656' first='Nick' last='Sanders'] who are solid scorers and defenders, and big man [player_tooltip player_id='1850311' first='Saxon' last='Niles'] defending the paint and rebounding with his long reach.   Kamiakin 2022-23 Record (17-7), return 7/11 varsity players   Kamiakin could very well be a team on the bubble that cracks the top 10. They lose a big energy guy in Javier Sideregts but still have a big knockdown shooter in [player_tooltip player_id='1409013' first='Peter' last='Dress'], an athletic forward in [player_tooltip player_id='1612194' first='Zaevion' last='Gladney'], and a few younger guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2021628' first='Deontae' last='Howard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2021630' first='Nick' last='Malisani'] who are ready to step up and contribute.   Curtis 2022-23 Record (22-3), return 4/10 varsity players   It will definitely be a different-looking Curtis squad this winter. Tyce Paulsen, Josiah Johnson, Bilal El Ghalemi, and Cinque Maxwell all graduated, and Zoom Diallo is now at Prolific Prep in California. Even so, they still have guys with plenty of experience like [player_tooltip player_id='1450566' first='Devin' last='Whitten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1696799' first='Xavier' last='Ahrens'], and have a solid point guard taking over in [player_tooltip player_id='1485661' first='Jordan' last='Williams']. They also pick up an ultra-talented freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='2173760' first='Keaundre' last='Morris'] who should help put the ball in the bucket. So, while repeating as champs seems like a tall task, this Vikings team will still be a tough matchup coming out of the SPSL North.   Battle Ground 2022-23 Record (13-9), return 8/14 varsity players   The 4A Greater St Helens League produced four teams with winning records last season, one being Battle Ground. They have one of the top returning scorers from last season in [player_tooltip player_id='1450946' first='Tait' last='Spencer'], and his brother Trey can really score the rock too. Both were all-league selections a year ago and there are plenty of pieces around them like 6-foot-6 [player_tooltip player_id='1638359' first='Austin' last='Ralphs'] to help out. It will be a senior-heavy squad that should build on last year's mark.   Teams that just missed the cut: Olympia, Glacier Peak, Bellarmine, Rogers, Skyline

Following the Way Too Early 2A Top 10, here is my best guess at who could top the 4A this winter with a few under-the-radar teams to keep an eye on. Again, I have split this top 10 up into tiers but once we get outside of the top eight teams I think there is a lot of room for movement. Anyway, have fun with another Way Too Early set of predictions.