Way Too Early 2A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is never too early to speculate, so I've worked up some <em>Way Too Early </em>preseason rankings for 2A hoops. I started by looking over last season's final 12 teams at the state tournament and went from there. Of those 12 teams, only three fell completely out of the ranks as they lost some of the most talent from the 2023 class. In the end, I decided on 14 teams and broke them up into three tiers of contention. Here they are:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Tier 1</em> <em>- Title Favorites</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>1.</em> <strong>North Kitsap </strong>2022-23 Record (20-9), return 8/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With two of the top players in 2A ([player_tooltip player_id='1450488' first='Cade' last='Orness'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1450502' first='Harry' last='Davies']), the Vikings have a legit shot to win any night against anyone. They've added a big frontcourt piece in [player_tooltip player_id='2021611' first='Logan' last='Hudson'] and have one of the top glue guys in the 2A with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2156619' first='Mason' last='Chmielewski']</strong>. They are my favorites to win it all next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2</em>. <strong>Lynden </strong>2022-23 Record (24-4), return 6/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending champs definitely still deserve your respect heading into 2023-24. They return all-league guys, [player_tooltip player_id='1696692' first='Brant' last='Heppner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450490' first='Anthony' last='Canales'] who bring size and skill to the court. They'll lose quite a few players from last season but you can't count out the back-to-back 2A champs, especially when they still have a two-time 2A State Tournament MVP on the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>3</em>. <strong>Mark Morris</strong> 2022-23 Record (25-3), return 8/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Monarchs nearly stole the show at last season's state tournament, knocking off previously undefeated and top-seeded Pullman in the semi-finals. They had to settle for second place when all was said and done, but they also still have one of the most electric scorers in 2A with [player_tooltip player_id='1450497' first='Braydon' last='Olson'], and second-team all-league point guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1977239' first='Malakai' last='Gray']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Tier 2</em> <em>- Contenders</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>4</em>. <strong>Prosser</strong> 2022-23 Record (20-6), return 5/10 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs took a huge leap forward and although they lose some key guys like forward <strong>Kevin Flores </strong>and shooter <strong>JJ Reyes</strong>, they still have two returning first-team all-league guys in the backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='1450574' first='Kory' last='McClure'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1451028' first='Koby' last='McClure']. They'll have some tough competition in the CWAC but they can hold their own and proved it with a fifth-place finish in last season's state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>5</em>. <strong>West Valley</strong> 2022-23 Record (20-5), return 7/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a team I think could really make some noise this winter. They return two first-team all-league guys in [player_tooltip player_id='1450580' first='Ben' last='Fried'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1837768' first='Grady' last='Walker'], and should have a really balanced team around them. While they were two and out at State last year, they return a good nucleus and should be even better this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>6</em>. <strong>Anacortes</strong> 2022-23 Record (21-4), return 6/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With [player_tooltip player_id='1485542' first='Davis' last='Fogle'], anything is possible, but after getting bounced with two straight losses at last year's tournament there are some questions about how far they can go. They had some great wins against Mt Vernon (3A), Lynden Christian (1A), Blaine (1A), and beat 2A Sehome twice. So, there is a lot to like with this squad and they are firmly in as a contender this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>7</em>. <strong>Grandview</strong> 2022-23 Record (17-7), return 9/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greyhounds have a solid group of players returning, including three second-team all-league players and a freshman who was honorable mention. They do lose their top guy from last year, <strong>Julian Garza</strong>, but have plenty of talent left over to build on a solid 2022-23 season. Keep an eye on their junior class with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1826038' first='Cameron' last='Draculan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1984500' first='Mavryk' last='Bentley'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2375362' first='Marcelino' last='Armendariz']</strong>, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1450579' first='Levi' last='Dorsett'] who can impact both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>8</em>. <strong>Enumclaw</strong> 2022-23 Record (22-5), return 9/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing league MVP <strong>Carter DeRosier</strong> won't be easy, but Enumclaw still has guys like <strong>Wyatt Neu</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1946190' first='Karson' last='Holt']</strong>, and <strong>Jason Feddema</strong> who should hold things together and keep the Hornets in the discussion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>9</em>. <strong>Pullman</strong> 2022-23 Record (25-1), return 8/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another team that graduates the reining league MVP (<strong>Jaedyn Brown</strong>), but they weren't undefeated most of the year just because of one player. They still have one of the best athletes in 2A with [player_tooltip player_id='1612189' first='Champ' last='Powaukee'], a big presence inside with 6-foot-10 [player_tooltip player_id='1450616' first='Austin' last='Hunt'], and emerging wing [player_tooltip player_id='1984479' first='Daniel' last='Kwon'] who can chip in across the board. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>10</em>. <strong>Renton</strong> 2022-23 Record (23-3), return 5/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Renton is an intersting team in the 2A to watch. They lose a lot of varsity talent and size from a team that was near the top of the 2A all season but got a quick exit at the state tournament. They also lose [player_tooltip player_id='1450492' first='Ajayi' last='Simmons'] to Garfield, but bring in a first-team all-league player in [player_tooltip player_id='1450571' first='Ronnie' last='Toms']. The Redhawks will have a slew of guards that can really play; <strong>Marques Ill-Meneese</strong>, <strong>Isaac Elegan</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1450992' first='Jordan' last='Agosto']</strong>, <strong>Carlos Clark</strong>, <strong>Landon Saephan</strong>, and one of the best all-around scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1451027' first='Dennis' last='Johnson III'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Tier 3</em> <em>- The Bubble</em></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Port Angeles</strong> 2022-23 Record (14-10), return 8/13 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sneaky team led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1450564' first='Parker' last='Nickerson'], the Roughriders have a good chance to make noise in the Olympic League and could find their way into the state tournament this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>White River</strong> 2022-23 Record 13-11, return 9/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White River has a few guys that make them worth a look this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1450573' first='Colin' last='Schmidtke'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2156637' first='Tyce' last='Donovan']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2385839' first='Greg' last='Schmitz'] </strong>can all contribute in big ways and make the Hornets a team to watch this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Franklin Pierce</strong> 2022-23 Record (12-9), return 10/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals have the talent to contend at the 2A level with a potent scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='1450568' first='Mason' last='Thomas'], an athletic two-way wing in [player_tooltip player_id='1450984' first='Javon' last='Barbee'], the versatile [player_tooltip player_id='1696805' first='Abinadi' last='Semeli'], and another highly athletic guard in<strong> Amaar Coleman</strong>. They finished in the middle of the pack in the SPSL 2A last season but bigger things could be on the horizon for the Cards this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Valley</strong> 2022-23 Record (11-14), return 9/12 varsity players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Devils are a sneaky team to watch out of Yakima. They lose a key guy in 2023 <strong>Teegan Hooper </strong>but bring back a big riser at point guard with [player_tooltip player_id='1450987' first='Eli' last='Esquivel'], some size with [player_tooltip player_id='1594659' first='Chase' last='Staymates'] and <strong>Aiden Kinlow</strong>, and overall were a pretty young team last season. They couldn't quite beat the top teams in their league last year but had a four-point loss to Prosser and a five-point loss to Grandview in February, signaling there could be more in the tank for East Valley this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some other teams that just missed the cut: Selah, Lakewood, Ellensburg, WF West, Clarkston, RA Long, Cedarcrest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->