Runnin’ through Class 2B WIAA regional boys basketball: Kalama clear atop wide open field
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the WIAA Class 2B boys basketball tournament, here is SBLive's weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch — and game score predictions:
(SBLIVE'S FINAL BOYS BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS)
CLASS 2B BOYS REGIONALS
Kalama's Jackson Esary cuts down 2B District 4 net at W.F. West High School after win over Morton-White Pass.
Photo by Andy Buhler
TOP BILLING
Kelson Gebbers led Brewster to a district title and a win over Brewster, SBLive's preseason No. 1 team, in an elimination game. Morton-White Pass
BEST BET TO SCORE 30?
A Lewis-Clark State commit, John Lustig is a four-year starter and could undoubtedly one of the state's most dynamic players. He's an elite high school ball-handler who can score at all three levels, and has led the game in scoring in both of Colfax's losses. Don't bet against the Bulldogs any time soon. He's is a good reason why.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
The only explanation for Columbia of Burbank's seeding is a statewide perception of its strength of schedule — and a close loss to 1B DeSales, the 8-seed in the 1B field, didn't help. Don't be fooled. This team is much better than its seeding indicates. Just look at its resume.
They're guard-led, with multi-year standout Michael Lenke (16 points per game) — the EWAC football MVP in the fall — and have had a backcourt bolstered by ninth graders Tristan Frimodt (18 points) and Quincy Scott (16).
"They can play so many positions offensively, and they’re so potent scoring," Burbank coach Todd Schumacher said. "All three shoot the 3, all three handle the ball. They’re very interchangeable."
DeSales is the lone blemish in a 21-1 season that most recently included a district title win over Cle Elum (18-2) in thrilling fashion, another sleeper, if aligned with its seeding.
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Senior guard Tayshawn Colvin has Liberty of Spangle rolling into state.
No. 1 Kalama vs. No. 8 Coupeville
6 p.m. Friday, Battle Ground High School
Skinny: Coupeville is undefeated (16-0) and state bound for the first time in 34 years. Its gift? Top-seeded Kalama, which keeps finding ways to win. Wolves get their biggest test of the season.
Pick: Kalama, 70-58
____
No. 2 Liberty of Spangle vs. No. 7 Adna
2 p.m. Saturday, University High School, Spokane
Skinny: Colton Marsh (21 points per game), London Foland (15) and Tayshawn Colvin (18) are examples that scoring can come from anywhere for the Lancers. Adna's not all that different, except it's Lane Johnson and Braeden Salme — and players like Aaron Aselton, who takes charges at an astronomical rate.
Pick: Liberty of Spangle, 66-59.
____
No. 3 Colfax vs. No. 6 Napavine
6 p.m. Friday, University High School, Spokane
Skinny: The Tigers play through Utah offensive line signee Keith Olsen in the post. Can Colfax disrupt his passing lanes — and shoot the lights out on the other end?
Pick: Colfax, 62-55.
____
No. 4 Brewster vs. No. 5 Morton-White Pass
Noon Saturday, Wenatchee High School
Skinny: Kelson Gebbers-fueled Bears knocked off a strong Okanogan team (50-47) to win a district title. Morton-White Pass has the hottest team in its district for a better part of two weeks, collecting wins over Adna, before losing in the final seconds to Kalama in the district title. Teams will struggle keeping 6-7 forward Josh Salguero off the glass.
Pick: Morton-White Pass, 68-62.
____
WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 9 Lake Roosevelt vs. No. 16 River View
2 p.m. Saturday, Eastmont High School, Wenatchee
Skinny: Lake Roosevelt escaped a cutthroat district by snagging the third bid with a drubbing of preseason No. 1 Okanogan in a loser-out on the road. River View won consecutive loser-out games to nab the final 2B District 5 berth.
Pick: Lake Roosevelt, 60-50.
____
No. 10 Columbia of Burbank vs. No. 15 Ilwaco
2 p.m. Saturday, Richland High School
Skinny: Burbank coach Todd Schumacher expected returning senior standout Michael Lenke to lead. Now teams must deal with ninth graders Tristan Frimodt (18 points per game), the league MVP, and league MVP runner-up Quincy Scott, also a ninth grader. Ilwaco holds a size advantage, and Jaden Turner is worth price of admission.
Pick: Columbia (Burbank), 55-51.
____
No. 11 Toutle Lake vs. No. 14 Mabton
4 p.m. Saturday, Mark Morris High School, Longview
Skinny: Oregon State baseball commit Zach Swanson, a standout guard and one of the top Central 2B players as a ninth grader and sophomore. Mabton coach Saul Arambul was named EWAC coach of the year.
Pick: Toutle Lake, 70-51.
____
No. 12 Cle Elum/Roslyn vs. No. 13 Northwest Christian of Colbert
2 p.m. Saturday, Davis High School, Yakima
Skinny: Joel Kelly, 2B EWAC MVP, has stepped up after his brother Joe's graduation. He's as dynamic a player as there is in the tournament. Northwest Christian has a budding star of its own, freshman Avi West, who poured 27 points on St. George's in a loser-out district game.
Pick: Cle Elum, 65-49.
