All-League Preview: KingCo 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot of all-league players in the 2023 class for the KingCo last season, and with all of those guys moving on it opens up quite a few spots for new guys on the all-league teams. There is still plenty of talent rising up in the league with a lot of names to keep track of. Here are a few who could end the season with all-league honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Returning All-League</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>First-Team</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1710051' first='Denali' last='Hatcher'] Liberty (Renton) <em>'24</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hatcher is a quick and heady point guard that should return to fill an even bigger role this coming season. He's a guy that's able to extend plays, keep his dribble alive and attack from all over the half-court. He'll probably be counted on to do more creating off the dribble, create more penetration and find ways to collapse defenses with his quickness on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450990' first='Shelton' last='Henton'] Interlake <em>'25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henton is a big athletic guard who took a crucial leap forward last season to be a first-team all-league selection. He's gotten even better over the summer, getting quicker with the ball, stronger, more consistent from 3-point range, and a more intelligent attacker. He should have another big season as one of the top names in the KingCo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Second-Team</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2086712' first='Tristen' last='Cruzen'] Mercer Island <em>'25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruzen is a smooth player who can attack just about every spot on the floor. He shows good vision attacking lanes with the presence of mind to pull up short for floaters and in-between shots. But he can also shoot it from deep and is a versatile attacker who can distribute the rock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1623734' first='Kiyen' last='Martin'] Lake Washington <em>'24</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick guard who carried himself as a leader last season. Martin can pressure opposing ballhandlers and has the foot speed to lock down his area of the court. He's a ready-to-go offensive player, keeping the ball moving and making quick decisions, but he can also provide some scoring from the outside with a pretty solid jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Honorable Mention</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2173007' first='Clark' last='Tonnon']</strong> Interlake <em>'25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tonnon runs the point at Interlake and does a great job getting the offense flowing. His passes generally lead to good motion in the offense and he makes quick decisions that tend to open up gaps for teammates. He also not only times his passes well, but generally puts the right weight on them too and can make some really pretty assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1984478' first='Bradley' last='Giesen'] Juanita <em>'25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Giesen put in a lot of work this spring and summer and should be one of Juanita's more ball-dominant players with his ability to handle the rock and get to the hoop. He's also a tenacious defender and has the kind of play that spurs big runs with his hard work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1463083' first='Macklin' last='Gray']</strong> Juanita <em>'24</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is a 6-foot-4 wing who could get a lot of work for Juanita. He's able to play inside and out, can rebound well, defends multiple positions, and can put it on the floor from certain spots to work his way to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1863195' first='Jackson' last='Whitaker'] Liberty (Renton) <em>'26</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just a freshman last season, Whitaker made a big statement with his play and he's continued to do so with EBC Elite's 17u team this spring and summer. He's a smart guard that attacks with ball and head fakes, sees the floor well, and is able to attack under control. He shot the three especially well last season and could be another guy that makes the leap to first-team all-league this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Other Players to Watch</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1863256' first='Nick' last='Norrah'] Bellevue <em>'26</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am just enamored with Norrah's shot-creating ability. He has a unique combo of strength and quickness that makes him a tough cover anywhere on the floor. He can bully kids to the rim, stop on a dime to shoot from the mid-range, and can hit from behind the arc too when he's feeling it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1485587' first='Bryce' last='Smith'] Bellevue <em>'25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is one of the most important guys on a Bellevue team that has the potential to top last season when they finished fourth at State. He'll be leading the charge from the point and plays a highly intuitive and reactionary game that impacts both ends. He showed some real grit at last year's tourney and is a huge piece at Bellevue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1451019' first='Marco' last='Varani'] Bellevue <em>'25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Varani was with BFL Prep last school year but returns to Bellevue as a highly skilled player who can shoot from just about anywhere, plus he has the length, athleticism, and mindset to be a big factor at the rim. Look for him to explode this season and show why he's so highly rated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1631554' first='Will' last='McDonald'] Mercer Island <em>'25</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a long wing that shows a lot of potential scoring the ball and making plays with his length. He has some good shooting touch too and has had his moments this summer that show he has the skill to be an all-league player and could help elevate Mercer Island this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2156173' first='Nick' last='Mautone']</strong> Mercer Island <em>'24</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An excellent passer from all over the court, Mautone has quickly emerged this summer as a poised player in the front court who sees the floor well and can impact the game in a lot of ways. He's good on the boards, has the size to compete inside, and shows some good skill and footwork to be a factor from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588003' first='Syver' last='Lanctot'] </strong>Mercer Island <em>'24</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lanctot is a quick, strong guard who's active when it comes to loose balls and does a great job getting hands on those 50/50 balls. He's a pretty potent shooter from deep too and shows good bursts through gaps to attract the attention of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->