Way Too Early 4A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2024-25 season still a ways off, here's a glimpse of some teams to watch heading into the winter with the <em>Way Too Early 4A Top 10</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Glacier Peak, 2023-24 Record (25-4)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 8/12 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1450981' first='Josiah' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='1927274' first='Reed' last='Nagel'], [player_tooltip player_id='2375333' first='Zach' last='Albright'], [player_tooltip player_id='2415721' first='Jayce' last='Nelson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grizzlies came real close last season, finishing third at State after starting the season 22-1 before back-to-back losses in their district title game and the opening round game of the 4A state tournament. They return four starters including one of the top scorers in the 4A last season, Josiah Lee. They have toughness in the backcourt and up front with point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1927274' first='Reed' last='Nagel'] and big man [player_tooltip player_id='2375333' first='Zach' last='Albright'], and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2415721' first='Jayce' last='Nelson'] gives them an experienced glue guy who can burst out for big scoring games, defend, and play out of multiple spots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Mount Si, 2023-24 Record (27-2)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 8/14 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1685491' first='Lattimore' last='Ford'], [player_tooltip player_id='2021624' first='Brady' last='Hennig'], [player_tooltip player_id='1850529' first='Jake' last='Bonnofsky'], [player_tooltip player_id='1954955' first='Nathan' last='Gardner']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending champions lose some key players from last year's team but still return with good depth and some high-caliber players to lead the way. Both [player_tooltip player_id='1685491' first='Lattimore' last='Ford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2021624' first='Brady' last='Hennig'] can defend with length and provide mismatches on the perimeter with their size, shooting, and slashing. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1850529' first='Jake' last='Bonnofsky'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1954955' first='Nathan' last='Gardner'] have experience in big games and are solid ballhandlers who can spot up outside. They also have some depth up front with <strong>Marcus </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2626178' first='Liam' last='Heide']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Gonzaga Prep, 2023-24 Record (20-7)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 7/10 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1685504' first='Dylynn' last='Groves'], [player_tooltip player_id='1631550' first='Nate' last='Christy'], [player_tooltip player_id='1696796' first='Owen' last='Griffith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1631543' first='Hudson' last='Floyd'], [player_tooltip player_id='1984490' first='Brogan' last='Howell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bullpups have a lot of depth returning to the floor in 2024-25, led by a handful of scrappy guards and two of the most talented forwards on the east side of the state - [player_tooltip player_id='1685504' first='Dylynn' last='Groves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1631550' first='Nate' last='Christy']. Groves has shown a lot of growth over the summer making plays off the bounce, and continues to showcase one of the best outside shots in his class. Christy is a big forward who can play with power and skill around the paint and also brings some versatility to the floor with his passing and corner 3. Their guards are all quick with the ball, tough defensively, and make Gonzaga Prep a team to watch this winter in the 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Kentwood, 2023-24 Record (22-8)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 11/12 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1450991' first='Corey' last='Tita'], [player_tooltip player_id='1863193' first='Brandon' last='Tagle'], [player_tooltip player_id='1587994' first='Mason' last='St Louis'], [player_tooltip player_id='2384349' first='Brent' last='Simmons']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kentwood finished the year with a strong run in the state tournament and return four key starters from last year's squad. The loss of shooter/defender Blake Stempniak will be hard to replace, but junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1863193' first='Brandon' last='Tagle'] looks ready to pick up some scoring after an excellent state tournament and some strong play this spring and summer. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1450991' first='Corey' last='Tita'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1587994' first='Mason' last='St Louis'] provide good scoring options and toughness around the paint, and the Conks also have a couple of sophomores who could have big impacts - [player_tooltip player_id='2384349' first='Brent' last='Simmons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2457269' first='Caleb' last='Ross']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. Camas, 2023-24 Record (15-10)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 7/12 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1863196' first='Ethan' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450988' first='Jace' last='Vanvoorhis'], [player_tooltip player_id='2205036' first='Cade' last='Washington'], [player_tooltip player_id='2458311' first='Channing' last='Nesland']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their top scorer from last season, Beckett Currie, moves on to prep school but the Papermakers still have two high-level players to lead the way in [player_tooltip player_id='1863196' first='Ethan' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450988' first='Jace' last='Vanvoorhis']. Harris is a big, versatile forward really coming into his own heading into his junior year and should be a matchup nightmare on most nights. Vanvoorhis has been primarily a slashing/shooting guard the past few years but with the ball in his hands more this winter, he should be able to show off more of his electric playmaking skills. And keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id='2205036' first='Cade' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2458311' first='Channing' last='Nesland']. They didn't play huge roles last season but have the skills to score the rock from different spots and give Camas some balance heading into next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6. Arlington, 2023-24 Record (19-7)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 9/12 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1451025' first='Leyton' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1631548' first='Jackson' last='Trotter'], <strong>Jake Willis</strong>,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2717117' first='Billy' last='Kooy']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arlington is led by one of the top guards in the state in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1451025' first='Leyton' last='Martin']. He puts up gaudy numbers across the board and should once again make the Eagles a dangerous team to watch. They are bumping up from 3A last season to play in the 4A this winter and should be one of the top teams right away. They have several guys who can knock down shots behind the arc and play great team defense. Look for guards [player_tooltip player_id='1631548' first='Jackson' last='Trotter'] and <strong>Jake Willis </strong>to help out scoring and facilitating, and count on big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2717117' first='Billy' last='Kooy']</strong> to anchor the Eagles inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7. Olympia, 2023-24 Record (19-6)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 11/13 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1485541' first='Matt' last='Lindblom'], [player_tooltip player_id='2458323' first='Julian' last='Zapata'], [player_tooltip player_id='1631551' first='Blake' last='Peterson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2021637' first='Kingston' last='Stanciu'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140805' first='Brian' last='Stevenson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olympia is one of the more interesting teams to watch in the 4A this upcoming season. They return 11 varsity players while also adding wing [player_tooltip player_id='2021636' first='Keegan' last='Bell'] from Capital. Bell is a long, athletic kid who should give the Bears some more authority around the paint, and if sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140805' first='Brian' last='Stevenson'] can build on a solid AAU season, he should be another name to add more balance and size to their squad. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1485541' first='Matt' last='Lindblom'], [player_tooltip player_id='2458323' first='Julian' last='Zapata'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1631551' first='Blake' last='Peterson'] are all senior leaders who give them great stability in the backcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">8. Auburn, 2023-24 Record (24-2)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 7/12 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1984463' first='Carter' last='Hansen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1863247' first='Chase' last='Mentink'], [player_tooltip player_id='2021598' first='Daniel' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2391500' first='Isaiah' last='Englund']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Auburn is another team bumping up a classification after playing in the 3A last season. Even with [player_tooltip player_id='1451033' first='Jaylen' last='Petty'] moving to Rainier Beach, the Trojans still bring back some talented guards who can all play with pace and shoot the rock at a high level. They'll still need some different names to step up this season and sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2391500' first='Isaiah' last='Englund'], as well as O'Dea transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2021601' first='Miles' last='Henry'], could be some names to watch. Both are gifted athletes who could give Auburn some different looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">9. West Valley (Yakima), 2023-24 Record (14-8)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 11/13 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1450996' first='Landen' last='Birley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1587955' first='Parker' last='Mills']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team that returns 11 varsity players from a year ago, the Rams have an awesome duo in Birley and Mills who can play off each other and put pressure on defenses inside and out. Birley leads the way on the ball, scoring, slashing, and working off screens, while Mills cleans up messes inside and has the quick feet and touch to work off the blocks. This could be the year they get over the hump and make a run in the state tournament. Keep an eye on freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2473468' first='Austin' last='Birley'] too. He had some nice showings this summer and could provide an immediate impact to give them another scoring guard next to the senior Birley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">10. Richland, 2023-24 Record (22-6)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Return 7/13 Varsity Players</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1685503' first='Landen' last='Northrop'], [player_tooltip player_id='2375347' first='Lance' last='Horntvedt']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The runners-up from last season, Richland loses a lot of talent from last year's roster but still brings back two supremely talented juniors. Northrop and Horntvedt make up one of the most intriguing backcourts in the state with their size (Northrop 6'4, Honrtvedt 6'7) shooting, and athleticism. You can't count them out but we'll have to get a better look at some of the other players filling larger roles to get a better idea of what kind of season lays ahead for the Bombers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Next Up: Issaquah, Emerald Ridge, Kennedy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->