Runnin' through WIAA Class 1A boys basketball regionals: Is Lynden Christian headed for a repeat?
With the 16-team field set for the regional round of the 2022-23 WIAA Class 1A boys basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:
CLASS 1A BOYS REGIONALS
TOP BILLING
Defending champion Lynden Christian earned the top seed by winning its last eight games with only Lynden staying within 12 points during that stretch. Second-seeded Zillah, which Leopards coach Mario Mengarelli says could be the longest squad in school history, has won 20 straight games, all but two of them by 10 or more points.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
King’s sophomore Cam Hiatt hit the 30-point mark multiple times last year when Knights star Jordan Hansen, now at Idaho State, was out injured, so a big game is always within reach. Freeman’s Boen Phelps and Zillah’s Luke Navarre also are high-scoring threats.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
No. 10 Seattle Academy finished a game behind No. 5 King’s and No. 8 Overlake in the Emerald Sound Conference Chinook division and split with the two teams in the regular season. The Cardinals, who were third in 2020, drew an Elma squad that struggled down the stretch and was just 4-4 in Evergreen League play.
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Photo by Nathan Schumock/Lynden Tribune
No. 1 Lynden Christian (22-2) vs. No. 8 Overlake (16-7)
6 p.m. Saturday, Mount Vernon High School
Skinny: The defending champions returned just two starters – Tyler Sipma and Griffin Dykstra – but the Lyncs are again a top contender for the 1A crown, their only losses to Anacortes and Sehome, seeded No. 2 and No. 5, respectively, in the 2A tourney.
Pick: Lynden Christian, 73-57
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No. 2 Zillah (22-1) vs. No. 7 Blaine (15-7)
6 p.m. Saturday, Davis High School
Skinny: After being snubbed as the SCAC West player of the year while earning the WICBA’s top 1A honor, Luke Navarre leads the Leopards’ first step toward another championship game berth.
Pick: Zillah, 73-59
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No. 3 Annie Wright (23-1) vs. No. 6 Toppenish (18-5)
2 p.m. Saturday, Tacoma Community College
Skinny: The Gators were within one win of a trophy last year in the young program’s first trip to state without a senior. Sophomore Martin Kaupanger leads the way as they go for their 19th consecutive victory.
Pick: Annie Wright, 66-58
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No. 4 Freeman (20-2) vs. No. 5 King’s (17-5)
8 p.m. Friday, West Valley (Spokane) High School
Skinny: The Scotties' only in-state loss is to Class 2A top-seeded Pullman. The game will feature two of the field’s best in Freeman’s multi-sport star Boen Phelps and Knights' sophomore Cam Hiatt, who’s already a sought-after recruit.
Pick: Freeman, 70-67
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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 9 Omak (16-5) vs. No. 16 Lakeside (13-10)
Noon Saturday, Wenatchee High School
Skinny: The Pioneers roll into the tournament having won their last four games by more than 25 points per game, while the Eagles overcame a 2-8 start to the season and won two of three district games by three and two points, respectively.
Pick: Omak, 61-52
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No. 10 Seattle Academy (13-9) vs. No. 15 Elma (12-8)
10 a.m. Saturday, Bellevue College
Skinny: The Cardinals went 7-3 down the stretch, including losses to top-seeded Lynden Christian and 2A qualifier Sammamish, while the Eagles dropped six of their last 10 before a pair of district victories returned them to state.
Pick: Seattle Academy, 58-53
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No. 11 Seattle Christian (15-6) vs. No. 14 Seton Catholic (17-7)
6 p.m. Friday, Auburn High School
Skinny: The Warriors are trying to punch their ticket to the Yakima Valley SunDome for the first time since 2005, while the Cougars are looking to make their first trip to the concrete-roofed arena.
Pick: Seattle Christian, 60-55
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No. 12 King’s Way Christian (15-8) vs. No. 13 La Salle (15-9)
10 a.m. Saturday, Battle Ground High School
Skinny: The Knights were 4-7 playing several of the larger schools in the Vancouver area before winning 11 of 12, including a district title; five of the Lightning’s losses came to Toppenish and Zillah in the top-heavy SCAC West.
Pick: King’s Way Christian, 57-49
