Two Key Players on Each Metro Team (Pt 1)

In the first of many league previews coming, I'm looking at the Metro League and two key players for each squad heading into the 2024-25 season. These are guys playing bigger roles, maybe different roles than last year, players who will lead, add key depth, or have the potential to take that next step forward this winter.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Roosevelt</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1451020' first='Caden' last='Young']   With Jalen Dollar off to California Baptist, it's going to be Young's show to run this season and he'll have plenty of talent to feed. [player_tooltip player_id='2021600' first='Jaden' last='Marlow'], [player_tooltip player_id='2021603' first='Jake' last='Sprangers'] are capable wings who can shoot and get tough inside. They have two bigs with very different skill sets and provide differing looks up front. Young has the quickness and IQ to help this team go, and he'll be one of the most important guys stepping on the court for Roosevelt this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1984466' first='Anthony' last='Washington Jr.']   Washington is a key guy because of the effort and physicality he brings to the floor. The Roughriders have guys who can play on the perimeter, shoot, and get to the hoop, but Washington is the one kid who can really make an impact on the glass and assert himself with relentless play at the rim.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">O'Dea</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='2021597' first='Levi' last='Orbino']   Orbino will presumably be the starting point guard for the Irish this season and he fits the mold of past O'Dea points with his ability to lock up on the ball and his selfless, pacey play on offense. He'll be instrumental in keeping the offense on track while also setting the tone defensively with his sticky on-ball defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1631541' first='Breylon' last='Webb']   One of the highest potential players in his class, Webb will need to be a guy who consistently makes plays all over the court for the Irish. He's going to have to match up with bigs and skilled wings throughout the season and has the ability to be a constant two-way force who can operate off the ball for catch-and-shoot looks, as well as finding space to dive to the rim and get behind the defense with back door cuts.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ballard</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='2464768' first='Gavin' last='Klassen-Matuska']   Heading into his junior year, Klassen-Matuska has game-changing length that will be a big factor for Ballard. He's active by the rim, can work the offensive glass and get put-backs, but has also shown some more capability from the wings this summer shooting the 3-ball and working to the hoop. However, his biggest impact could come defensively. He'll have to guard some talented wings and forwards this winter and how he fares on the defensive end will mean a lot for Ballard's success.   [player_tooltip player_id='2384289' first='Nolan' last='Larson']   Another long player who should have a big impact for Ballard, Larson had a strong freshman season and showed up with some big double-doubles throughout the year. He'll once again have to have an impact around the paint, but has also shown some promise with the short-range jumper, and the ability to knock down some open shots along the perimeter. He's a tough kid who will have to match up with bigs inside and play a key role defensively. He could make a solid step forward and will be a player to watch for the Beavers.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Garfield</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='2173107' first='Isaiah' last='Davis']   The Bulldogs have some talented playmakers heading into the winter which makes Davis's 3-point shooting all the more vital this season. He's super reliable spotting up and knocking down shots off kick outs and taking advantage of slow rotations, but he also has the range to extend the defense and open up some gaps for others to attack. As we saw this summer, he's also a kid who can handle the ball and could be a guy who helps give different looks and let other scorers who typically handle the ball to work off ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='2375377' first='BJ' last='Roy']   Another talented shooter at Garfield, Roy will be another key figure in spreading the floor and forcing defenses to stretch. Roy's also got the burst to blow by closeouts, work quick off the catch, and get defenses moving and out of position. He'll also be a key defender who can move his feet, turn with ballhandlers, and has the quick hands to poke balls free and create turnovers.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Eastside Catholic</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1251215' first='Alex' last='Elston']   The senior point guard is a hard worker who could really flourish this season with two of their higher-usage players graduating from last year's team. He's gotten stronger and played some determined hoop this summer. He should be a counted on leader for the Crusaders this winter who can make things happen getting to the paint, and working with their workhorse big man [player_tooltip player_id='1685489' first='Yeabsera' last='Aklog']. Elston has the two-way ability to set the tone on both ends and is a kid who could have a really strong senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140802' first='Achilles' last='Reyna']   We know all about last year's sophomore stud, Yabi Aklog, who showed up big in the state tournament to help reel in a state title for the Crusaders, but this year's sophomore stud could very well be Reyna. He's a super-talented forward who can impact the game in many ways and could blow up this season as a kid who can have a huge impact moving without the ball as well as finding mismatches in the post. He has good instincts, great hand-eye, and is a powerful kid who can impact the game all around the paint.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rainier Beach</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='2173099' first='Marques' last='Ili-Meneese']   Beach has the top two players in the state, and they will draw a ton of attention from defenses. That's why Ili-Meneese will be such an important piece for the Vikings. He's a powerful, slashing guard who will put constant pressure on the interior and has the type of game that can also get opposing teams in foul trouble. He should have plenty of lanes to attack this winter and is also a relentless rebounder who can win hustle boards and be a physical presence for the Viks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1451029' first='Nyale' last='Robinson']   He's a shifty playmaker who will have plenty of high-level scorers to distribute the ball to. And while he'll surely do his share of playmaking, he's also going to be a key guy off the ball who can be an electric 3-point shooter. They have a number of guys who can bring the ball down and shoot, and while Petty and Powers will get a lot of attention, Robinson is another kid defenses can't leave alone. He'll be a key guy as they enter the year looking like serious contenders for the 3A title.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West Seattle</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='2173025' first='Alex' last='Pierce']   With Sully Janiwade leaving for The Phelps School, Pierce has the chance to step up and lead the way for West Seattle this winter. He'll have help from transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1612213' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'], another high-energy slashing scorer. Pierce showed some booming athleticism last year as well as some deep range from three. He's a junior with big ability who could take an equally large leap this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205065' first='Peyton' last='Duong']   With Pierce and Brown able to create shots off the bounce and hit tough shots, Duong will be a critical floor general who can steady the offense and set the pace, as well as play off those slashers to hit 3s. He can really make defenses pay from outside, but also has good decision-making in tight spaces, whether it's finding the right pass or taking advantage of hesitant defenders to drop in floaters and hit those in-between shots.

In the first of many league previews coming, I'm looking at the Metro League and two key players for each squad heading into the 2024-25 season. These are guys playing bigger roles, maybe different roles than last year, players who will lead, add key depth, or have the potential to take that next step forward this winter.