Photo by Patti Cutshall
Runnin’ through Class 1B WIAA regional boys basketball: Cusick, Lummi headline seeding showdown
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the WIAA Class 1B 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 1B BOYS REGIONALS
TOP BILLING
Two fast-paced systems. Two groups that grew up playing together. Two long-tenured head coaches in Rob Seymour and Jerome Toby. And the most exciting part? Since No. 2 Cusick and No. 7 Lummi hail from opposite corners of the state, they seldom — if ever — match up.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
Moses Lake Christian Academy senior Pierre Boorman.
(Photo courtesy Moses Lake Christian Academy)
Moses Lake Christian Academy senior Pierre Boorman is the rare player who can take over a game on a moment’s notice. The 5-9 senior guard, averaging 21.7 points, six boards and 3.6 steals per game, is agile, athletic and can create separation off the dribble — or just back up and shoot it.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
Every team is good come postseason. Crosspoint is as good a double-digit seed as there is. The 1B/2B SeaTac champs went 9-0 in league play and were tripped up by Mount Vernon Christian and Lummi in districts — both went down to the wire.
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PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
After slow start, Almira/Coulee-Hartline rebounded to beat Cusick for district title.
(Photo by Carrie Isaak)
No. 1 Almira/Coulee-Hartline vs. No. 8 DeSales
Noon Saturday, Eastmont High School, Wenatchee
Skinny: Undersized bigs Frankie Worden and Jadon Bingham will have their hands full against ACH’s length and braun down low. DeSales will need a strong showing from its backcourt of Jack Lesko and Joe Baffney.
Pick: Almira/Coulee Hartline, 60-49.
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No. 2 Cusick vs. No. 7 Lummi
Noon Saturday, University High School
Skinny: The winner of this game will be well-positioned for a title run in Spokane. Two of the state’s top 1B point guards face off in Lummi’s Duncan Toby and Cusick’s Colton Seymour.
Pick: Cusick, 65-60.
RELATED: Cusick aiming for deep 1B state finish 41 years in the making: 'This year, it’s us'
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No. 3 Northwest Yeshiva vs. No. 6 Moses Lake Christian Academy
8 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue College
Skinny: It’s OK to only play a six-man rotation when your backcourt consists of seniors Yoel Kintzer and Aryeh Goldberg, who fueled a Northwest Yeshiva tri-district title run. But who guards Moses Lake Christian’s Pierre Boorman (21.7 points per game), maybe the most dynamic shot-creator in the tournament?
Pick: Moses Lake Christian, 52-50.
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No. 4 Willapa Valley vs. No. 5 Sunnyside Christian, 4 p.m.
Saturday, W.F. West High School, Chehalis
Skinny: In a battle of district champs, the Vikings face a tall task in slowing game-changing point guard Cole Wagenaar. Sunnyside Christian's challenge? Keeping Willapa Valley’s cadre of capable scorers in check.
Pick: Willapa Valley, 47-43.
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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Smokey Abrahamson (No. 24), William Dick IV (No. 32) and Wellpinit have been battle-tested by ACH and Cusick. And they're ready to make a playoff splash.
Photo courtesy Wellpinit Athletics
No. 10 Mount Vernon Christian vs. No. 15 Riverside Christian
10 a.m. Saturday, Mount Vernon High School
Skinny: Riverside Christian’s edge (size) is the Hurricanes’ strength. Can Isaac Pommer navigate Mount Vernon Christian's length? And can senior guard Xander Hoksbergen and MVC’s backcourt set the pace?
Pick: Mount Vernon Christian, 55-48.
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No. 11 Naselle vs. No. 14 Neah Bay
Noon Saturday, Mark Morris High School, Longview
Skinny: Which tips the scale - Naselle standout and Columbia Valley League MVP Kolton Lindstrom’s hot hand, or Neah Bay’s frenetic, disruptive press?
Pick: Neah Bay, 51-47.
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No. 12 Crosspoint Academy vs. No. 13 Oakville
2 p.m. Saturday, Mount Tahoma High School, Tacoma
Skinny: The one-two punch of point guard Owen Wyatt and load-bearing Thunderr Doty is a daunting combo for any defense. Crosspoint a sleeper to make noise in Spokane.
Pick: Crosspoint, 60-48.
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No. 9 Wellpinit vs. No. 16 Orcas Island
2 p.m., Saturday, Central Valley High School, Spokane
Skinny: The scary part about Wellpinit is how it spread you out and breaks you down — that's thanks, in large part, to Smokey Abrahamson, who isn't far from averaging a triple-double. Can junior big man Aidan Murray and Orcas Island establish a rhythm down low?
Pick: Wellpinit, 66-54.
