This Month’s Games to Watch: November

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the basketball season creeping up I thought it would be fun to look ahead at some of the marquee matchups lined up for this month. Once December hits, I'll post weekly overviews of all the top games coming your way. Whether it's a powerhouse matchup, games with league or playoff implications, or simply top teams we don't see play very often, I'll try to stay on top of all the games you need to know throughout the season. Here are some of the best matchups to kick off the opening month of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nov. 27</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty (Renton) @ Issaquah 7:15 PM</strong> <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/issaquah-high-school-issaquah-wa/gamdef92e15c4">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty has a lot of sophomores and juniors stepping up this year to go along with senior PG [player_tooltip player_id='1710051' first='Denali' last='Hatcher']. [player_tooltip player_id='1863195' first='Jackson' last='Whitaker'] has also looked ready to lead the way for them but Issaquah's guards are high-motor guys who should provide a tough test for the Patriots in this KingCo 3A/4A matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timberline @ Rainier Beach 7:30 PM</strong> <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/rainier-beach-high-school-seattle-wa/game942e91ce7">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blazers come up north to visit the Vikings in an early season matchup of two teams vying for the top spots in their respective leagues. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Matchup to Watch:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1485586' first='Kenyon' last='Simmons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1850299' first='Kaden' last='Powers']. Powers is a high-powered scorer and Simmons is one of the top defenders in the 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nov. 28</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mercer Island @ Sammamish 7:15 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/sammamish-high-school-bellevue-wa/gam16c2767ee4">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Islanders could make some real noise this season in the KingCo 3A but Sammamish has a couple of guys that are real crafty on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anacortes @ Cedarcrest 7:15 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/cedarcrest-high-school-duvall-wa/gam857785668b">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anacortes was one of the top seeds at the 2A tournament last year but came up short. They'll be coming into the season motivated to do better. Cedarcrest has good size to make things difficult for the Seahawks in this 2A battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arlington @ Jackson 7:15 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams were at or near the top of their leagues last season. Jackson's [player_tooltip player_id='1450608' first='Ryan' last='McFerran'] could be a key guy in this one with his ability to defend around the rim but Arlington's [player_tooltip player_id='1451025' first='Leyton' last='Martin'] is a grinder and showed that grit at last year's 3A tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt Vernon @ Lake Stevens 7:15 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1450959' first='Quinn' last='Swanson'] and Lake Steven's versatile forward [player_tooltip player_id='2156171' first='Javon' last='McFerrin'] in this 3A vs 4A matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roosevelt @ Nathan Hale 7:30 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/nathan-hale-high-school-seattle-wa/gam2a204b16a7">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nathan Hale was the surprise team of last year, finishing with 20 wins. And even though Roosevelt finished on the other end of the standings in the Mountain division, they have a lot of promising players that should make this a big Metro matchup to start the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nov. 29</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sammamish @ Port Angeles 5:15 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/port-angeles-high-school-port-angeles-wa/gama7f5d614bc">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two potential state-bound teams meet in this early season matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Matchup to Watch:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1450564' first='Parker' last='Nickerson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1978881' first='Keith' last='Kariuki']. Nickerson is a potent scorer who Sammamish will need to hold in check. Kariuki could be that guy with his long reach and quick reactions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grandview @ Pullman 7:00 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grandview is a tough team from the balanced CWAC that notched 17 wins last season. Pullman looks to start things off right in the post-<strong>Jaedyn Brown</strong> era. Both teams have a bunch of top players returning from last season. This should be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seattle Prep @ Everett 7:15 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a Metro/WesCo clash with the Panthers taking on the Seagulls. Lots of talent on both sides of the ball as the maturing Panthers get a good test up north against Everett.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Snohomish @ Kamiak 7:15 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snohomish was a middle-of-the-pack team in the WesCo 3A last year but return a lot of guys including forward [player_tooltip player_id='1612355' first='Drew' last='Davis']. Kamiak on the other hand has a bunch of new names on varsity and has a chance to set things off right against the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rogers (Puyallup) @ Stadium 7:30 PM</strong> <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/stadium-high-school-tacoma-wa/gam49cba5be3f">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 4A/3A matchup of two teams with the talent to make a run at State births out of District 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Matchup to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450994' first='Dylan' last='Gilderhus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1984449' first='Donovan' last='Gill']. These guys play with pace and can shoot the lights out. They have the potential to swing a game with their play on both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Renton @ Rainier Beach 7:30 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/rainier-beach-high-school-seattle-wa/gamb70d5077d1">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have a bunch of talent in the backcourt but this could end up being the [player_tooltip player_id='1598394' first='Dominik' last='Robinson'] game inside. A good matchup of two teams with eyes on the 2A and 3A tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodinville @ West Seattle 7:30 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/west-seattle-high-school-seattle-wa/gam6cc6dbd3f8">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams with a bunch of talent across the board. This could be one of the closest games of the month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Matchup to Watch:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1440884' first='Jaiden' last='Blackmon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450934' first='Bo' last='Gionet']. Two bigger guards who can shoot and defend. Get your popcorn ready for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nov. 30</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mark Morris @ Kelso 7:00 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelso could have the edge up front but their guards will have their hands full with potential 2A Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='1450497' first='Braydon' last='Olson']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Matchup to Watch:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1450497' first='Braydon' last='Olson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450613' first='Hayden' last='Yore']. Olson has been tearing defenses to shreds all summer but Yore is a strong guard who might be able to stick with the Mark Morris star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Issaquah @ Auburn Mountainview 7:00 PM</strong> <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/auburn-mountainview-high-school-auburn-wa/gamd9c50870dc">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions have made progress each of the last two years and have a chance to keep that train rolling with another talented team. Issaquah should be a physical squad that gives the Lions a good matchup out of the gates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Matchup to Watch:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1850309' first='Sebastian' last='Arius'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2205068' first='Vincent' last='Crow']. Two different styles but both can get it done. [player_tooltip player_id='1315366' first='Lucas' last='McClendon'] could be another guy who matches up with Crow in a battle of strong guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rainer @ Tenino 7:00 PM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2B meets 1A in this matchup. Rainier brings back a solid core but they'll have to deal with the big and skilled [player_tooltip player_id='1587998' first='Noah' last='Schow'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ilwaco @ Toutle Lake 7:00 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/toutle-lake-high-school-toutle-wa/gam2061f7ca7d">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ilwaco marches into Toutle Lake from the coast in what should be two teams vying for the 2B tournament. Toutle Lake took last year's matchup handily and return a lot of key guys. But so does Ilwaco, and [player_tooltip player_id='1450958' first='Beckett' last='Turner'] has added a lot to his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freeman @ Colfax 7:30 PM </strong><a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/colfax-high-school-colfax-wa/gam088e1b68b8">NFHS Stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 1A/2B matchup where both teams have guys who can play up front and on the perimeter. Freeman has the guys to make a run this year but Colfax could be a team to watch in the 2B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->