Top 25 Cross-Classification Matchups to Watch in 2022-23 (Pt I)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all love getting to watch non-league games. The debates about which league is better, or which league produces the best players fuels the anticipation for cross-league matchups. However, here we take it to another level with the best games scheduled across different classifications. Here we have 2A teams playing 4A, 1A playing 3A, and nearly everything in between. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These games give us a chance to debate the talent at each level and see some of the top teams from each division compete to prove why they are among the best in the state, regardless of division. I've narrowed it down to 25 games but there are many more cross-classification games to watch than just the ones listed below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've picked out a few of my favorites and highlighted players to watch plus a little detail of what to expect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Nov 26 North Kitsap @ Union 1:00 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450488' first='Cade' last='Orness'] (North Kitsap), [player_tooltip player_id='1450502' first='Harry' last='Davies'] (North Kitsap), [player_tooltip player_id='1270717' first='Yanni' last='Fassilis'] (Union), [player_tooltip player_id='1493980' first='Evan' last='Manville'] (Union) [player_tooltip player_id='1416285' first='Josiah' last='Baldassare'] (Union)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is opening night for both the North Kitsap Vikings and Union Titans and should be a good battle of strengths. North Kitsap will rely on guard play while Union will lean heavily on the frontcourt guys to lead the way. Fassilis and Orness are two of the top players in their classes and are both electric playmakers that should fill that stat sheets on night one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Nov 29 Brewster @ Chelan 7:15</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 1 Arlington @ Sehome 7:15 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 2 Mark Morris @ Mountlake Terrace 7:15 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 3 Kamiak @ Everett 11:45 AM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Dec 3 Auburn vs North Kitsap (@ Auburn Riverside HS) 4:30 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1086779' first='Semaj' last='Brown'] (Auburn), [player_tooltip player_id='1560530' first='Jerry' last='Petty'] (Auburn), [player_tooltip player_id='1416286' first='Tyrell' last='Nichols'] (Auburn), [player_tooltip player_id='1450496' first='Luvens' last='Valcin'] (Auburn), [player_tooltip player_id='1450488' first='Cade' last='Orness'] (North Kitsap), [player_tooltip player_id='1450502' first='Harry' last='Davies'] (North Kitsap)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a great test for both teams who are coming off of highly successful seasons but lost talented senior classes over the summer. For Auburn, it would be a strong statement to put the 2A contender down with conviction. For North Kitsap, it can serve as a sign of things to come with juniors Orness and Davies taking the reigns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 3 Mark Morris @ Jackson 4:30 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 3 Mountlake Terrace @ Lynden 5:00 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 5 Auburn @ Kentridge 7:00 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 8 Freeman @ Pullman 5:30 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Dec 9 Archbishop Murphy @ Shorecrest 7:15 PM</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Dec 9 Zillah @ Selah 7:30 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1270840' first='Luke' last='Navarre'] (Zillah), [player_tooltip player_id='1612212' first='Dominic' last='Navarre'] (Zillah), [player_tooltip player_id='1270611' first='Levi' last='Pepper'] (Selah), <strong>Jackson Pepper </strong>(Selah)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a big 1A/2A matchup with two of the top players from both divisions. [player_tooltip player_id='1270840' first='Luke' last='Navarre'] is a scoring machine for 1A powerhouse Zillah, and [player_tooltip player_id='1270611' first='Levi' last='Pepper'] is an all-around playmaker that is trying to lead Selah back to the state tourney before heading to Central Washington after this season. Don't underestimate the younger brother's in this game as they could be next up out of their respective schools. Last season, Zillah took down Selah 81-76 at home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Dec 10 King's vs Mountlake Terrace (@ Highline CC) 2:30 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Player to Watch: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1354101' first='Cam' last='Hiatt'] (King's), <strong>Nick Linhardt</strong> (King's), [player_tooltip player_id='1450935' first='Dylan' last='Meyers'] (King's), [player_tooltip player_id='1450489' first='Zaveon' last='Jones'] (Mountlake Terrace), [player_tooltip player_id='1450563' first='Jaxon' last='Dubiel'] (Mountlake Terrace)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountlake Terrace has three tough out-of-conference games early in the season; Mark Morris, Lynden, and King's. The Hawks ended last season on a roll rattling off 11 straight wins before losing to Mt Spokane at State and then falling to Garfield for a 6th-place finish. Meanwhile, King's was four points away from a 1A State Title. This should be a great game with two rising stars in Hiatt and Jones, but keep your eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1450563' first='Jaxon' last='Dubiel'] too. He is stepping up to lead the Hawks' backcourt and could be a star in the making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->