3A Senior POY Candidates

The 3A is yet again a deep field full of primetime players. We have four favorites to win 3A senior Player of the Year, along with several sleepers who could step up and make a push to be recognized among the best in their classification. Check out the list and give your thoughts with the poll at the end.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorites</h2>    The recent New Mexico commit has already proven to be among the elite of elites in the state, and after already capturing two NPSL league MVPs and breaking numerous Auburn High School records, it seems all that is left for the star guard is to cap it all off with a State Championship and a Player of the Year nod. Everything is in place for the multi-dimensional guard to achieve both this winter.     It is very rare to find two POY candidates on the same team, but that is just what you have with [player_tooltip player_id='1451033' first='Jaylen' last='Petty'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1850299' first='Kaden' last='Powers']. Each gets the job done in different ways and they should play well off of one another and have the supporting cast to keep defenses relatively spread out. It will be fun to see how this season plays out and how this ultra-talented team takes shape.     Ervin has a chance to put up some gaudy numbers this season as a dominant paint force and phenomenal front-court athlete. There won't be many players who can match his size, let alone his mobility and leaping ability. Even when Garfield doesn't directly play through the big man, he has the skills to wreak havoc on the offensive glass and at times be a one-man wrecking crew.     Hiatt has the makeup to be one of those kids who rarely sees the bench this season and his team will rely heavily on his usage. He looks all the part of a workhorse who can handle the responsibility of running an offense and creating scoring opportunities. He should have a big year in his return to Washington, leading Edmonds Woodway to a probable playoff appearance.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sleepers</h2>    He's a knockdown shooter with size that makes it hard to contest, and he's also shown some flashes of being that defensive rim presence with his ability to trail plays or pop over from the help side and send shots flying off the backboard. But King will have to find a way to elevate his team this season and lift them over the hump by coming through in big games and big moments. He and his team have the talent to do so, so keep an eye on the lanky shooting guard this winter.     His team loses a couple of key guys from last years squad, and that squarely puts the focus on Arius. He's a tall guard who has shown the bag and shooting ability to score at a high level, and some added strength should play a big role in helping him weather the added responsibility this year. The shots will be there to put up some big numbers but can he elevate his team and show the decision-making and playmaking necessary to be a true POY candidate?     Misra can be as electric as they come on the offensive end, with his deep shooting range, his playmaking, and his quickness with the ball. The big question comes down to can he help lead Prep closer to a state tournament appearance. He'll no doubt be one of the guys to watch in a star-studded Metro League, and we'll see if he and King can get the Panthers up among the top teams in the state's toughest league.     Webb might be one of the deeper sleepers just because his impact doesn't always lend itself to eye-popping numbers, but this year could be different. He's a Swiss army knife wing who can guard multiple positions and play out of different spots with the ball, and his defensive impact really goes beyond the numbers. But his size and skill make him an easy candidate to have a big jump forward this year in terms of the stat book, as well as the added responsibility that comes with being a senior leader at O'Dea.     Smith has always shown the competitiveness and fire to play at a level one would associate with a player of the year candidate. And with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='2140825' first='Jimmie' last='Haywood III'] to Garfield, as well as [player_tooltip player_id='1451019' first='Marco' last='Varani'] to Elite Futures Prep, Bellevue loses a big piece of the scoring and chunk of talent from last year. Smith seems like the kind of kid to relish being underestimated and his ability to speed up the game on both ends could mean a big year for the senior guard this winter.     He's a two-way force who has really found his groove to end the summer and into the fall. Timberline loses some key guys from last year's team (Darrell Gipson & [player_tooltip player_id='2172999' first='Kadyn' last='Ward']) which means Simmons will bear the burden of playmaking and rebounding for this year's team, as well as continuing to be a lockdown defender. If he can continue to score efficiently around the paint and expand his offensive profile by knocking down open outside shots, he could make a case to be recognized among the best seniors in the 3A.     This is a kid who plays with complete control of his team and faith from his teammates. He's a sniper from long-range and has been a bit of a slicer and dicer who can weave through traffic and get to the paint. Getchell made a run to the state tournament last season, only to fall to league foe Arlington who lost an overtime nailbiter to Garfield. But Getchell and Palacol have the tools to make another run this winter and he will be the guy who leads their attack.     This will be his first year in Washington but Sommers is already a guy to watch this winter and happens to be on one of the most intriguing teams heading into hoop season. Roosevelt has a few transfers coming in that should reshape their squad and make them a team to watch, Sommers being a key part of that. He's a big guy at 6'9 who has shown the skill to knock down shots from the perimeter and play around the hoop. Get to know him quick and keep an eye out for the new Roosevelt senior.     McDonald is a fast-rising senior who had a great spring and summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2078823' first='Washington' last='Supreme'] and should be the go-to-guy at a sneaky Mercer Island squad. He has a smooth stroke and can create with the rock in his hands, and is a guy who could put up some big scoring numbers this season. He's shown he can play with some of the top kids in his class and should have a bit of a breakout campaign this winter that could lift him up to be an all-state performer.     The final sleeper on this list, Daniels has really looked good this summer and fall, improving his outside shot, showing he can work as a primary scorer, and now steps into this season as the "guy" at North Central. He has the size and skills to make a big impact in the GSL and could end up being among the top scorers in the state with the number of touches he should get this winter.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-crowdsignal wp-block-embed-crowdsignal"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://poll.fm/14450923 </div></figure>

The 3A is yet again a deep field full of primetime players. We have four favorites to win 3A senior Player of the Year, along with several sleepers who could step up and make a push to be recognized among the best in their classification. Check out the list and give your thoughts with the poll at the end.