Runnin’ through Class 3A WIAA regional boys basketball: Contrasting Mount Spokane, Auburn present plenty of intrigue
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the WIAA Class 3A boys basketball tournament, set for March 2-5 at the Tacoma Dome, here is SBLive's weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch — and game score predictions:
(SBLIVE'S FINAL BOYS BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS)
CLASS 3A BOYS REGIONAL PREVIEWS
TOP BILLING
Auburn's offense is a blur and its core trio of guard plays with harmony. Can it mitigate Mount Spokane's length and defensive defensively like it has to bigger teams for much of the year?
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
Coach Jason Townsend has given him the keys to Mount Tahoma's offense. And 3A Pierce County League MVP Asjon Anderson scored in droves all year on his way to the program's first league title since 2004.
(READ: 'It’s buzzing around here': How Asjon Anderson is blazing a basketball legacy at Mount Tahoma)
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
The last time Lake Washington won a league title was 10 years ago, current coach Ryan Staudacher's first year on staff. Now, the Kangs are 3A KingCo champs and riding a win of Metro League's West Seattle and competitive losses to O'Dea and Rainier Beach in the Sea-King district tournament.
Give shooting guard Ben Nyquist (27 points per game) a chance — and an elimination win over Kennewick — and the Kangs might play spoiler in the Tacoma Dome.
"As a group, they’ve always had pieces, ups and downs, and they’ve never put it together until this year," Staudacher said. "Guys have completely bought in and just gotten after it on the defensive end.
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Mt. Spokane's Maverick Sanders, a junior first team all-Greater Spokane League selection.
Photo by Andy Buhler
No. 1 Garfield vs. No. 8 Timberline
6 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue College
Skinny: Bulldogs are favored, but the scoreboard is half the show. Two of the state's most dynamic guards — Washington commit Koren Johnson and Timberline's Brooklyn Hicks — are Seattle Rotary teammates and their head-to-head is appointment viewing.
Pick: Garfield, 79-64.
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No. 2 Auburn vs. No. 7 Mount Spokane
6 p.m. Friday, Puyallup High School
Skinny: Wildcats forward Maverick Sanders is a matchup program down low for a Trojans team with lengthy guards but little interior brawn. Mt. Spokane sophomore point guard Ryan Lafferty faces his toughest task to date: Auburn's flurry of ball-hawk guards.
Pick: Auburn, 78-75.
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No. 3 O'Dea vs. No. 6 Gig Harbor
10 a.m. Saturday, Bellevue College
Skinny: Tides standouts Will Landrum and Luke Browne are an intriguing a one-two guard/forward punch. Both can score at will — but how will that fare against coach Jason Kerr's vaunted defensive pressure?
Pick: O'Dea, 59-55.
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No. 4 Rainier Beach vs. No. 5 Seattle Prep
Noon Saturday, Lake Washington High School, Kirkland
Skinny: First matchup, Beach escaped with a two-point win on the road. Second time around? Prep won in double-overtime. More fireworks for round three?
Pick: Seattle Prep, 75-74.
(READ: Coach Mike Bethea back on bench with Rainier Beach after severe COVID-19 battle, hospital stay)
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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
The Lions, many of whom played for a football state title in December, are also a state player on the hardwood.
Photo by Kennewick Athletics
No. 9 Mountlake Terrace vs. No. 17 Kelso
10 a.m. Friday, Jackson High School, Mill Creek
Skinny: Mountlake Terrace fans weren't thrilled when it wasn't awarded a guaranteed-to-state game after winning its first district crown in 10 years. One way to quell any concern? Beating the 3A GSHL champ Hilanders.
Pick: Mountlake Terrace, 65-60.
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No. 10 Lake Washington vs. No. 15 Kennewick
6 p.m. Friday, Bellevue College
Skinny: The newfound postseason magic is alive in both programs. Can sharp-shooting Ben Nyquist and the Kangs prevent the Lions from doing what it did in the football season — win postseason elimination games on the road?
Pick: Lake Washington, 64-55.
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No. 11 Mount Tahoma vs. No. 14 Eastside Catholic
8 p.m. Friday, Foss High School, Tacoma
Skinny: The Crusaders are long, but can they reach high-scoring 3A PCL MVP Asjon Anderson?
Pick: Eastside Catholic, 70-69.
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No. 12 Ferris vs. No. 13 Arlington
4 p.m. Saturday, Central Valley High School, Spokane
Skinny: Can Trayce Atkins, Ray Ray Bergeson and the Ferris backcourt account for do-it-all Arlington guard Ethan Martin?
Pick: Ferris, 55-47.
