Road to Spokane: Washington high school (WIAA) Class 1B state boys basketball preview

The 2022-23 WIAA basketball season is down to its final week - with 12 remaining Class 1B boys basketball programs expected soon in Spokane starting Wednesday and running through Saturday.

Here is SBLive’s tournament preview — with players to watch, team favorites, schedules and championship game predictions:

COVERAGE REWIND

Get acquainted with the field through SBLive's coverage from throughout the 2022-23 season.

• Top stars, best performances in WIAA regional basketball playoff round
• SBLive’s final Washington high school boys basketball power rankings, by classification (Feb.21)
• Sunnyside Christian knocks off defending champion Cusick for Class 1B regional victory

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

G1: Mossyrock (19-6) vs. Lummi Nation (19-8), 3:45 p.m.
Winner plays Willapa Valley (19-5) in Thursday quarterfinals, 3:45 p.m.

G2: Mount Vernon Christian (21-6) vs. Cusick (19-5), 5:30 p.m.
Winner plays Wellpinit (23-1) in Thursday quarterfinals, 5:30 p.m.

G3: Sound Christian Academy (22-4) vs. Moses Lake Christian (18-4), 7:15 p.m.
Winner plays DeSales (22-2) in Thursday quarterfinals, 7:15 p.m.

G4: Orcas Island (21-9) vs. Oakville (17-5), 9 p.m.
Winner plays Sunnyside Christian (20-4) in Thursday quarterfinals, 9 p.m.

State semifinals Friday: 3:45 and 5:30 p.m. 

State championship Saturday: 5 p.m.

THE FAVORITE

After dismantling No. 8 seed Oakville last weekend at regionals, top-seeded Wellpinit firmly put its foot down in Spokane as the favorite to leave with the first-place trophy. Wellpinit has the benefit of having six players capable of scoring in double-digits any given night. Without having to rely on only one or two players to make the offense go, Wellpinit is going to be a tough team to defend for anyone.

FIELD

Although Wellpinit is out in front as the pick to win it all, it won't come easy with a talented bunch of teams chasing the same goal. Sunnyside Christian and standout guard Cole Wagenaar have the firepower to keep up and should give Wellpinit a game if both squads end up making the championship. It's been four years since Sunnyside Christian won a state championship and what better time to notch another than coach Dean Wagenaar's final season at the helm? DeSales and guard Jack Lesko also make things interesting as the Irish not only have the talent for state championship aspirations, but the Irish – having never placed at a state tournament – are also shooting for their first state trophy in program history.  

8 PLAYERS TO WATCH

P Smokey Abrahamson, Wellpinit, sr. (11.6 ppg)

G Jeff Boorman, Moses Lake Christian, sr. (12.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg)

G Wil Clements, Willapa Valley, sr. (12.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg)

G Eddie Klatush, Oakville, soph.

G Jack Lesko, DeSales, sr. (17 ppg, 4 apg)

G Riley Pearson, Willapa Valley, sr. (14.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

G Bode Seymour, Cusick, jr.

G Cole Wagenaar, Sunnyside Christian, sr. (22.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg)

FINAL FOUR PREDICTION

Wellpinit, Sunnyside Christian, DeSales, Willapa Valley

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Wellpinit 73, Sunnyside Christian 70