4A Bold Predictions

<p>As we work to prep for the 2023-24 season I decided to have a little fun and cook up some hot takes for the upcoming hoop season. There is still a lot of time before the season gets underway, a lot of practices for these players, prep for the coaches, and a lot of opinions from everyone else, but that doesn't mean we can't do a little imagining. So, here are a handful of half-baked predictions for this winter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Richland goes undefeated in the regular season</em></h2>   <p>Without having the benefit of looking at a schedule, I am going to go out on a limb and say the Bombers could finish out the regular season undefeated. They have a balanced starting lineup with shooting, size, athleticism, and solid guard play. With that backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1685503' first='Landen' last='Northrop'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1612191' first='Josh' last='Woodard'] they have the ability to put pressure on teams on both ends of the floor and guys they can count on to make plays. [player_tooltip player_id='1837706' first='Jack' last='Forbes'] is a hidden gem for them on the wings. He can defend, score pretty well from different spots on the floor, and should help out on the glass. You also can't mention Richland without talking about [player_tooltip player_id='1450498' first='Luke' last='Westerfield'] who should be an anchor for them on both ends. He should be a double-double guy who can average around three blocks a game and has been improving his outside shot to stretch the floor. They lost a couple of key guys in <strong>Jace Vopalensky </strong>and <strong>Jordan Valencia-Alvarado</strong> who brought a lot of toughness to the squad, but after going 16-0 in the MCC last season I think they can step it up another notch and be undefeated this winter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Puyallup wins the SPSL</em></h2>   <p>Puyallup has been coming and this could be the year they take the SPSL on their way to a state tournament appearance. This is another team with great balance across the board but will need their bigger players to step up and match the production they should get from the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='1463084' first='Isaiah' last='Sonntag'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1696693' first='Drew' last='Jones'] will be one of the top guard duos in the league who can provide a lot of scoring power. But the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1863244' first='Mason' last='Sonntag'], [player_tooltip player_id='1685506' first='Will' last='Nasinec'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1612216' first='Carsen' last='Lovett'] will have to help set the tone defensively and win the game on the glass. I like what they've been building over there and they should keep moving forward with a possible league title this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Camas makes the final four</em></h2>   <p>There are a lot of 4A teams that could make a run into the state title game and I like Camas to at least make it to the final four of the state tournament. They have one of the most exciting backcourts in 4A with [player_tooltip player_id='1450988' first='Jace' last='Vanvoorhis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450989' first='Beckett' last='Currie'], each of whom can get hot scoring the ball from inside and out. Those two should provide a lot of problems for opposing teams this season and lead the way for the Papermakers. I also like what they have down low in [player_tooltip player_id='1863196' first='Ethan' last='Harris']. He made big strides last season, working his way into the starting lineup and then playing well in the state tournament. He can be a bit of an x-factor for them this season and pose some matchup problems for opposing bigs with his ability to defend the rim and space the floor.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450991' first='Corey' last='Tita'] is the NPSL MVP</em></h2>   <p>Tita has the potential to be the league MVP this year and I have a feeling he might put it all together and do just that. He's an extremely explosive player who's looked better off the dribble and has the size and power to produce big games around the rim. If he gets in a rhythm early in the year and holds onto it throughout the season, limiting turnovers and knocking down shots with his jumper, he could put in a great season for a team that has a lot of potential heading into 2023-24.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>The State Championship will be Mt Si VS Gonzaga Prep</em></h2>   <p>Mt Si is my favorite to make the title game and win it all, but Gonzaga Prep has a lot going for them too. The Bullpups are led by one of the most complete scorers in 4A with [player_tooltip player_id='1450501' first='Henry' last='Sandberg'] and their younger players have looked ready to go throughout the spring and summer. Guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1631550' first='Nate' last='Christy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1631543' first='Hudson' last='Floyd'] should make the next leap this season and have the potential to be all-league players. [player_tooltip player_id='1450986' first='Jayce' last='Swanson'] is another guy who can produce big scoring games and has a good mix of burst and shooting touch that can really help them. But I also like the next group of guys they have who can bring energy and toughness and should be critical to their success (<strong>Ryan Jackson</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1696796' first='Owen' last='Griffith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1984490' first='Brogan' last='Howell']).</p>   <p>With Mt Si it's not hard to see what makes them go. They have two of the top guards in the 2024 class with [player_tooltip player_id='1450486' first='Trevor' last='Hennig'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1450494' first='Blake' last='Forrest'] who looked as primed and ready as ever to win a state title. The Wildcats will also be tough to stop in transition and around the rim with the Ford brothers bringing some elite athleticism and motors. Then they have the depth with [player_tooltip player_id='1850529' first='Jake' last='Bonnofsky'], [player_tooltip player_id='2153057' first='Jack' last='Taylor'], and <strong style="font-weight: bold;">[player_tooltip player_id='1954955' first='Nathan' last='Gardner']</strong><b> </b>helping out. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1450486' first='Trevor' last='Hennig'] will be 4A State Player of the Year</em></h2>   <p>The way Hennig looked this summer I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him be player of the year. With all the talent around him, Hennig still managed to stand out as a guy ready to lead this team as far as it will go. He wants the ball when the clock runs down, in close games, and plays with a voracity that is infectious. After fighting back from injury and missing a state title game his team lost in overtime, he looks like a player determined to succeed.</p>

As we work to prep for the 2023-24 season I decided to have a little fun and cook up some hot takes for the upcoming hoop season. There is still a lot of time before the season gets underway, a lot of practices for these players, prep for the coaches, and a lot of opinions from everyone else, but that doesn't mean we can't do a little imagining. So, here are a handful of half-baked predictions for this winter.