Devin’s State Title Predictions: Class 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season beginning very soon, here are my state title contenders in the 3A class. I will also be predicting each classes state champion in these series of articles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rainier Beach took home the state title last year despite losing in the first round of the state tournament. Jaylen Petty, Kaden Powers, and Nyale Robinson all helped lead Beach to the title. None of them returning but trust me, they are loaded back up. Edmonds-Woodway lost in the state title game with Cam Hiatt helping carry his team as far as he could. He graduated, but they have talent coming back. Garfield placed 3rd last year but they also saw a lot of players graduate or transfer away. Seattle Prep took home 4th with Nirvaan Mirsa and Beckham King doing what they could for the team but this is still a team to keep an eye on. Mt Spokane finished 5th and with [player_tooltip player_id='2380116' first='Jaden' last='Ghoreishi'] coming back, they will be a team to watch as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rainier Beach </em>- Honestly, almost everyone is going to say Beach will win the title once again and there is no reason why they won't be the favorite with the #1 player in the country in [player_tooltip player_id='1702934' first='Tyran' last='Stokes'] joining the team. Wesley Armstrong will also be joining the squad and they have a plethora of backcourt players ready to make an impact in [player_tooltip player_id='2627284' first='Knowledge' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2194480' first='JJ' last='Crawford']. We can't forget Micah Illi-Meneese or Marques Illi-Meneese either, who had length to the squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edmonds-Woodway </em>- Despite losing their top player in Hiatt, [player_tooltip player_id='2205069' first='William' last='Alseth'] will be back. He has made his offensive game more well rounded and has great length on the court. He scores from all 3 levels and should be a rising player in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='2173102' first='Julian' last='Gray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2622808' first='DJ' last='Karl'] are some other players from last years team to watch. [player_tooltip player_id='2548216' first='Shy' last='Shah'] will also be transferring in and will add another threat on the wing for the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Seattle Prep</em> - Even with Seattle Prep losing their 2 top players, I think they will be able to contend for a state title. [player_tooltip player_id='1863191' first='Niko' last='Christofilis'] is a dynamic scoring guard who can take over any game and go on a streak of hitting shots often. [player_tooltip player_id='2140837' first='Kellen' last='Matt'] will be a junior this season and a big breakout year would not shock anyone in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='2375391' first='Balin' last='Meza'] is another player to keep an eye on with most of the attention going to Niko.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: </em>Mt Spokane, Lincoln, Bellevue</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Devin's State Title Prediction</em>: Rainier Beach over Seattle Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->