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

The 2022-23 WIAA basketball season is down to its final week - with 12 remaining Class 1B girls 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.

• Is this Neah Bay's time to close the deal on first WIAA title?
• WIAA Class 1B girls regional bracket breakdown
• Final Class 1B girls rankings

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

G1: Odessa (13-9) vs. Moses Lake Christian (20-4), 9 a.m.
Winner plays Mount Vernon Christian (22-4) in Thursday quarterfinals, 9 a.m.

G2: Wellpinit (15-6) vs. Oakesdale (20-4), 10:30 a.m.
Winner plays Neah Bay (20-1) in Thursday quarterfinals, 10:30 a.m.

G3: Willapa Valley (18-7) vs. Inchelium (18-3), 12:15 p.m.
Winner plays Colton (23-1) in Thursday quarterfinals, 12:15 p.m.

G4: Yakama Tribal (20-4) vs. Waterville-Mansfield (19-5), 2 p.m.
Winner plays Mossyrock (20-3) in Thursday quarterfinals, 2 p.m.

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

State championship Saturday: 3 p.m.

THE FAVORITE

Neah Bay will always be looking to create chaos - on both ends of the floor. But the one thing that alumnus-turned-first-year-coach Cherish Moss has tidied up is her girls' understanding of how to play roles - which is something she did as a college guard. "We don't talk offense," Moss said. PG Allie Greene makes it all go - both as a facilitator and deadly 3-point shooter. G/F Amber Swan finds ways to get to the basket - and then there is a talented cast of ninth graders who support in any way it can. Returning state runner-up is determined to bring home the biggest trophy Saturday.

FIELD

Don't overlook the team that defeated Neah Bay last season for the state title - Mount Vernon Christian. Hurricanes still defend, and C Allie Heino is smooth around the basket. They could be first school to defend crown since 2019 (Colton). ... Mossyrock, the Southwest District champion, might be the most complete team in the tournament, but how healthy is G Payton Torrey (ankle), who was injured in the regional-round win over Oakesdale? Her presence - fully healthy or not - cannot be overstated. ... Colton has won 10 of these WIAA titles under Clark Vining. Can the Wildcats get No. 11? If their perimeter shooting is on point for three days, they certainly could. ... At the beginning of the season, few picked Inchelium to be in a contending position. Now, everyone knows the Hornets can win it all - behind their flustering fullcourt pressure and C Zalissa Finley, who is a career 1,000-point scorer.

8 PLAYERS TO WATCH

G Allie Greene, Neah Bay, sr. (17.8 ppg, 2.6 steals)

G Gwen Dawes, Yakama Tribal, sr. (21.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 steals)

F/C Zalissa Finley, Inchelium, sr.

C Allie Heino, Mount Vernon Christian, jr. (15.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.1 blocks)

G/F Kali Kast, Moses Lake Christian, sr. (15.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.0 apg)

G/F Ashlyn Neilsen, Odessa, sr. (17.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.9 steals)

G/F Jessie Reed, Oakesdale, sr. (18.0 pgg, 11.0 rpg)

G Payton Torrey, Mossyrock, sr. (21.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.5 steals)

FINAL FOUR PREDICTION

Mount Vernon Christian, Neah Bay, Inchelium, Mossyrock

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Neah Bay 58, Inchelium 53