Devin’s State Predictions – 3A 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 3A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To recap quickly how we got here, check out my road to state articles! For the 3A class, we had a couple of upsets in regional play. #17 Lincoln beat #16 Lake Washington then upset #9 West Seattle to advance to the dome. #13 Todd Beamer ended #12 Mount Vernon's season, who a lot of people thought were under seeded. #8 North Central pulled off the upset over #1 Auburn, advancing straight to the quarterfinals. #6 Mount Spokane would defeat #3 Garfield to advance straight to the quarterfinals as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#3 Garfield vs #11 Arlington</em> - PREDICTION: Garfield - [player_tooltip player_id='1451025' first='Leyton' last='Martin'] for Arlington is such an amazing player and overall athlete but [player_tooltip player_id='1450985' first='Legend' last='Smiley'] and company will be too much for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#7 North Thurston vs #10 Rainier Beach</em> - PREDICTION: Rainier Beach - Metro league teams know how to play late in the season in big games due to the fact the conference is so stacked each year. I think Rainier Beach pulls off this win behind [player_tooltip player_id='1850299' first='Kaden' last='Powers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1451029' first='Nyale' last='Robinson']'s fire power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#5 Mountlake Terrace vs #13 Todd Beamer</em> - PREDICTION: Mountlake Terrace - [player_tooltip player_id='1450563' first='Jaxon' last='Dubiel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450489' first='Zaveon' last='Jones'] are a tough guard combination that plays efficently on both sides of the ball. I think [player_tooltip player_id='1837762' first='Caleb' last='Berry'] has a big game for Todd Beamer but Mountlake Terrace pulls out the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#1 Auburn vs #17 Lincoln</em> - PREDICTION: Auburn - Lincoln's magical run so far comes to an end at this point, in my eyes. Auburn is too talented with [player_tooltip player_id='1451033' first='Jaylen' last='Petty'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450496' first='Luvens' last='Valcin'], among others. They'll take home the win and advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QUARTERFINALS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#3 Garfield vs #4 O'Dea </em>- PREDICTION: Garfield - This game could be such a great game for this late in the season. Both these teams are state champion caliber teams but I think Garfield pulls this one off. They are 1-1 on the season series, so a third would be fun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#8 North Central vs #10 Rainier Beach</em> - PREDICTION: North Central - North Central has SIZE on the court. Jacori and Juju Ervin are both 6'10". [player_tooltip player_id='1450604' first='Eli' last='Williams'] has grown quite a bit too, standing at 6'4" and is an amazing offensive facilitator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#5 Mountlake Terrace vs #6 Mount Spokane </em>- PREDICTION: Mount Spokane - This one would be a phenomenal matchup. Both sides are filled with talent from top to bottom but I'm giving the edge to Mount Spokane just due to them having more all around athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#1 Auburn vs #2 Eastside Catholic</em> - PREDICTION: Eastside Catholic - This game happening in the quarterfinals is insane. Both these teams can easily win the state tournament and this game will be back and forth. [player_tooltip player_id='1450484' first='Jacob' last='Cofie'] is the best player in the state, so that gives Eastside Catholic the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SEMI FINALS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#5 Garfield vs #8 North Central</em> - PREDICTION: Garfield - This late in the season, experience matters. Garfield won the state championship last year and with [player_tooltip player_id='1450985' first='Legend' last='Smiley'] playing his best, Garfield will beat anyone and be tough to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>#2 Eastside Catholic vs #6 Mount Spokane</em> - PREDICTION: Eastside Catholic - I do think that Mount Spokane will give them a run for their money but from top to bottom, Eastside Catholic is just more well rounded. Along with Cofie, [player_tooltip player_id='1450620' first='Nate' last='Krohn'] is a tough guard who hits consistent shots and will step up big.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Eastside Catholic vs #5 Garfield - PREDICTION: Garfield - Going out to on a limb to say Garfield repeats as state champs. Smiley will be doing his thing but [player_tooltip player_id='1450500' first='Jamari' last='Harris'] is a player who will make big, clutch plays for them throughout the state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='1450575' first='Ishe' last='Kanhukamwe'] has been fantastic since joining the squad. He's a big difference maker too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->