Devin’s State Predictions – 1A Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the state tournaments start on Wednesday, we have the final 12 teams left in each class. Here are my state predictions for the 1A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seattle Academy, the 5 seed, pulled off a slight upset on 4 seed Freeman in regional play. Number 13 Sultan also defeated 12 seed Montesano, sending them home. No other higher seeds won their games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#6 Royal vs #11 Riverside</em> - PREDICTION: Royal - Royal only has one senior, meaning they will be around this late in the season next year too. Trent Jensen adds size while Lance Allred is an all around dynamic athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#7 Seton Catholic vs #10 Meridian </em>- PREDICTION: Meridian - Despite [player_tooltip player_id='2375392' first='Kaiden' last='Wilson']'s impressive talent and him only being a freshman, I think the Trojans are just too hot right now. [player_tooltip player_id='1984464' first='Talon' last='Jenkins'] averages almost 20 points a game, [player_tooltip player_id='1485653' first='Jaeger' last='Fyfe'] has always been a steady impressive guard too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#4 Freeman vs #13 Sultan</em> - PREDICTION: Freeman - [player_tooltip player_id='1485584' first='Colton' last='Wells'] and Jack Florance add quite a bit of size on the court. These two and more have helped Freeman get where they arre and have all their success. I think they take care of Sultan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#8 Tenino vs #9 Kings</em> - PREDICTION: Tenino - It is 100% hard to choose against a team who has made 3 straight 1A championship games but without [player_tooltip player_id='2478559' first='Cam' last='Hiatt'], Kings has been very good but not the same. Tenino has [player_tooltip player_id='1587998' first='Noah' last='Schow'] who scores over 20/25 a game and Jack Burkhardt who adds size downlow. Tenino takes this, barely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QUARTERFINALS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#5 Seattle Academy vs #6 Royal</em> - PREDICTION: Seattle Academy - [player_tooltip player_id='1837776' first='Hunter' last='Ackerley'] is a big time player who has been playing steady and solid all season long. [player_tooltip player_id='1587997' first='Miles' last='Struss'] and Malcolm Albert add length to the squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#<em>1 Zillah vs #10 Meridian</em> - PREDICTION: Zillah - Zillah has yet to lose this season and I am not sure if any 1A school will be able to defeat them. They are well rounded and know how to win games. They will win this game by 15/20 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#3 Annie Wright vs #4 Freeman </em>- PREDICTION: Annie Wright - [player_tooltip player_id='1450980' first='Martin' last='Kaupanger'] keeps improving as the season continues and he continues to showcase that he can carry this team deep. [player_tooltip player_id='1450983' first='Jeremiah' last='Harshman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1863197' first='Amare' last='Breedlove'] are what separates this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#2 Lynden Christian vs #8 Tenino </em>- PREDICTION: Lynden Christian - The back to back state champs may look a little different this year but with [player_tooltip player_id='1457515' first='Jeremiah' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2158603' first='Kayden' last='Stuit'] down low, not many teams can matchup with them. [player_tooltip player_id='1587998' first='Noah' last='Schow'] will have a big game but the Lyncs will be too big for Tenino.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SEMI FINALS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#1 Zillah vs #5 Seattle Academy</em> - PREDICTION: Zillah - No other team has been able to beat this Zillah team and I just don't see Seattle Academy being the first despite the size to matchup well. Zillah has beaten every team they've matched up against, even 2A powerhouse Lynden. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#2 Lynden Christian vs #3 Annie Wright</em> - PREDICTION: Annie Wright - Lynden Christian is local to me and the team is insanely impressive, especially winning the last 2 state championships and appearing in the last 3. The difference is [player_tooltip player_id='1450980' first='Martin' last='Kaupanger']. The Lyncs have players who match up height wise, but I personally think Kaupanger is too skilled with the basketball to be stopped at this point, he's in a rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#1 Zillah vs #3 Annie Wright </em>- PREDICTION: Annie Wright - I know I have been talking non stop about how Zillah has been unbeatable and how I'm not sure if that will change but, I do think Annie Wright has the talent to outlast them. Along with Kaupanger, [player_tooltip player_id='1450983' first='Jeremiah' last='Harshman'] is an amazing facilitator and ball handler for the team. [player_tooltip player_id='1863197' first='Amare' last='Breedlove'] is a great talent who adds intensity and toughness to the squad. I think they will be the 1A state champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->