Washington Class 2A boys basketball state tournament bracket breakdown: Schedules, storylines, players to watch, predictions
Here’s an overview of the WIAA state high school Class 2A boys basketball tournament taking place Wednesday-Saturday at the Yakima SunDome:
WEDNESDAY GAMES (winner to Thursday quarterfinals, loser out)
No. 11 Selah (16-7) vs. No. 3 North Kitsap (20-4), 3:45 p.m.
Winner: Plays No. 5 White River (21-5), 3:45 p.m.
No. 10 Prosser (19-7) vs. No. 2 Toppenish (21-2), 5:30 p.m.
Winner: Plays No. 1 Lynden (22-2), 5:30 p.m.
No. 12 Lakewood (15-9) vs. No. 4 Lindbergh (23-3), 7:15 p.m.
Winner: Plays No. 6 Tumwater (20-4), 7:15 p.m.
No. 9 Black Hills (19-6) vs. No. 8 Mountlake Terrace (18-7), 9 p.m.
Winner: Plays No. 7 Clarkston (18-5), 9 p.m.
THREE STORYLINES
7-seed Clarkston put itself in favorable place: The Bantams left no doubt who was the team to beat out of the Great Northern League, won its district crossover and then beat CWAC champ Toppenish in the regionals to set itself up with a first round bye.
All-new Lynden in familiar place: Before the season, Lynden coach Brian Roper called Clarkston’s Justin Jones to ask, how do you manage a young, inexperienced 6-foot-10 player? Clarkston, which had graduated 6-11 Branton Chatfield to Washington State, was happy to help, though he’d say to this day that Roper didn’t need the advice. And he’d be right. After graduating every starter from a state championship team, Lynden is back at state as the top seed, and 6-foot-10 Liam Hanenburg has flourished as a post presence, and double-double machine for the Lions.
10-seed Prosser well-positioned: As a 10-seed entering the state field, playing a familiar opponent may not be such a bad thing. That’s what Prosser faces when it takes on Toppenish, which it beat one of the three times the teams matched up so far this year. If you enjoy high-flying dunks, look no further than Prosser’s bouncy 6-foot-2 point guard Haden Hicks.
SIX PLAYERS TO WATCH
C Liam Hanenburg, Lynden, jr.
G/F Mo Kora, Lindbergh, sr
G Tanner Wallen, White River, sr.
G/F Noah Pepper, Selah, jr.
G Tru Allen, Clarkston, sr.
G Haden Hicks, Prosser, sr.
FIRST-ROUND GAME TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Selah vs. North Kitsap: Noah Pepper tied his school’s single game record (held by his older brother, Elijah Pepper) with 46 points this season, and has scored — and filled the stat sheet — at a high clip. North Kitsap will have its hands full with the CWAC MVP, but the Vikings’ strength is in their depth with brothers Kobe McMillian and Shaa Humphrey in the backcourt, rangy and athletic sophomore Jonas La Tour — all are averaging double-digits scoring — and they will be looking to redeem a regional loss to Tumwater.
RELATED:North Kitsap’s Shaa Humphrey, Kobe McMillian are brothers on and off the court
PREDICTIONS
First-round games
North Kitsap 78, Selah 73
Toppenish 66, Prosser 61
Lindbergh 59, Lakewood 52
Mountlake Terrace 65, Black Hills 59
Quarterfinal games
North Kitsap 66, White River 65
Lynden 71, Toppenish 57
Lindbergh 63, Tumwater 58
Clarkston 67, Mountlake Terrace 61
Semifinal games
Lynden 58, North Kitsap 49
Clarkston 74, Lindbergh 67
Championship game
Lynden 74, Clarkston 67
TICKETS
Daily: $15 for adults, and $12 for students/senior citizens (Wed.-Fri.) $16 for adults, $13 for students/senior citizens. (Sat.)
Weeklong: $38 for adults, $30 for students/senior citizens (Thu-Sat.). $50 for adults, $39 for students/senior citizens (Wed.-Sat.)
