3A Tournament Preview: Knockout Round Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stage has been set, and the opening round of the 3A state tournament gets underway with the knockout round matchups tomorrow night. Here is a quick breakdown of the upcoming matchups, including key players, matchups, and each team's record, RPI, and results against any common opponents throughout the year. Go ahead and let us know who you think will move on with the poll at the bottom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">17 Mountain View @ 16 Snohomish 7:00 PM <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/snohomish-high-school-snohomish-wa/gamdc3f23c564">NFHS Link</a></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountain View (15-7), RPI #25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Player</em>s: [player_tooltip player_id='2751497' first='Luke' last='Swerdlik'], <strong>John Chancellor</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2132829' first='Carter' last='Soucy']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents: </em>Union (W, 66-63; W, 63-49), Battle Ground (W, 73-62)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Snohomish (17-8), RPI #20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Players: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='2396318' first='Grady' last='Rohrich'], [player_tooltip player_id='2726741' first='Deyton' last='Wheat'], <strong>Luke Davis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents: </em>Union (L, 54-44), Battle Ground (W, 64-52)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preview</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunder have a balanced attack with a handful of guys who can stroke the 3-ball (Swerdlik, Chancellor, Soucy, and sophomore <strong>Eli Vongnath</strong>), and have the size inside with <strong>Auzzi Ashdown</strong>, to defend inside and out. But Swerdlik is really their key playmaker and will pose an awesome matchup with Snohomish junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2396318' first='Grady' last='Rohrich']. Rohrich has been rolling as of late and has a smooth jumper and some creativity with the rock. He's one guy who can really create looks in the midrange, but Snohomish has plenty of size to go inside with Wheat, Davis, and some depth off the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">18 Monroe @ 15 University 8:00 PM <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/university-high-school-spokane-wa/gamd813c9d705">NFHS Link</a></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monroe (19-4), RPI #9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Players</em>: [player_tooltip player_id='2021609' first='Caleb' last='Campbell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2021626' first='Wyatt' last='Prohn'], [player_tooltip player_id='2028908' first='Isaiah' last='Kiehl']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents: </em>N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>University (14-9), RPI #26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Players:</em> <strong>Brady Bell</strong>, <strong>Darien Lawson</strong>, <strong>Sam Delegard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents: </em>N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preview</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe has been a scrappy team this winter. They have a handful of guards to rotate through and stay fresh, led by the playmaking of [player_tooltip player_id='2028908' first='Isaiah' last='Kiehl'] and some sharpshooting from [player_tooltip player_id='2021626' first='Wyatt' last='Prohn']. [player_tooltip player_id='2021609' first='Caleb' last='Campbell'] is another key guy for the Bearcats, whose size and athleticism give them a different look with his slashing, ability to post up, and some defensive highlights. University does have some legit size in the middle with <strong>Darien Lawson</strong> (6-foot-11), and if he can be at his best rebounding, defending the rim, and being a big outlet off penetration, he could give the Titans an edge by the hoop. The Titans also have one of the top scorers in the GSL in <strong>Brady Bell</strong> (20.4 PPG), and some length on the wings with <strong>Sam Delegard</strong>, who could be a great matchup for Monroe's Campbell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">19 River Ridge @ 14 Enumclaw 7:00 PM <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/enumclaw-high-school-enumclaw-wa/gamf70ae2d5ae">NFHS Link</a></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>River Ridge (14-10), RPI #31</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Players</em>: [player_tooltip player_id='2383539' first='Dominique' last='Harper'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140856' first='Ryzen' last='Nunez']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents: </em>Sumner (L, 65-50), Federal Way (W, 66-50), Lakes (L, 79-59; W 72-57), Lincoln (L, 84-46)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Enumclaw (15-5), RPI #18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Players: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='2173104' first='Jason' last='Feddema'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140836' first='Kannon' last='Kuzaro']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents: </em>Sumner (W, 60-51), Federal Way (W, 84-79), Lakes (W, 72-58), Lincoln (L, 54-48)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preview</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a pretty definitive paint advantage for River Ridge in this one when they have both Nunez and Harper on the floor, but Enumclaw plays a tough, balanced game on both sides of the floor, and they've been a tough matchup all season. [player_tooltip player_id='2173104' first='Jason' last='Feddema'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140836' first='Kannon' last='Kuzaro'] bring different styles to the floor, but both have been key to their offensive game plan. Their efficiency could be tough for River Ridge's guards to stop, which is why the athleticism, strength, and size of Nunez and Harper will be key to the Riverhawks pulling this one out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">20 Lakes @ 13 Central Valley 7:00 PM <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBn_UwnMXBE">Stream Link</a></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakes (15-8), RPI #28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Players</em>: [player_tooltip player_id='2174677' first='Darius' last='Imperial'], <strong>Jayson Adams</strong>, <strong>Ray Smith</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents:</em> N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Valley (17-7), RPI #11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Players: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='2140806' first='Cameron' last='Walls'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140850' first='Orland' last='Axton'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140814' first='Emerson' last='Lippoldt']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Common Opponents: </em>N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preview</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key to the game for Central Valley is their two playmakers, [player_tooltip player_id='2140806' first='Cameron' last='Walls'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140850' first='Orland' last='Axton']. Walls does a great job prodding defenses and changing speeds to get into gaps, while Axton has the size and control to finish with strength in the paint and provide some additional playmaking from the perimeter. On the other side of the ball, Lakes has speedy guards, including league Co-MVP [player_tooltip player_id='2174677' first='Darius' last='Imperial'] (28.1 PPG), and what they lack in size they make up for with aggression and pace. It could be a battle of who can control the pace of play, with Lakes looking to move the ball quickly, capitalize on space behind the arc, and force turnovers. In contrast, Central Valley will want to use its size to work the ball inside out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://poll.fm/16672214","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"crowdsignal","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-crowdsignal wp-block-embed-crowdsignal"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://poll.fm/16672214 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->