Road to Spokane: Washington high school (WIAA) Class 2B state boys basketball preview
The 2022-23 WIAA basketball season is down to its final week - with 12 remaining Class 2B 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)
- Columbia of Burbank rattles Brewster for Class 2B boys basketball regional win
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
G1: Wahkiakum (18-7) vs. Lake Roosevelt (20-4), 9 a.m.
Winner plays Columbia of Burbank (23-1) in Thursday quarterfinals, 9 a.m.
G2: Chief Leschi (21-4) vs. Northwest Christian of Colbert (20-5), 10:30 a.m.
Winner plays Davenport (24-2) in Thursday quarterfinals, 10:30 a.m.
G3: Tri-Cities Prep (17-7) vs. Brewster (18-6), 12:15 p.m.
Winner plays Napavine (22-4) in Thursday quarterfinals, 12:15 p.m.
G4: Lind-Ritzville-Sprague-Washtucna-Harrington (19-7) vs. Adna (18-8), 2 p.m.
Winner plays Morton-White Pass (21-3) in Thursday quarterfinals, 2 p.m.
State semifinals Friday: 3:45 and 5:30 p.m.
State championship Saturday: 9 p.m.
THE FAVORITE
Davenport has made a habit of punishing teams this season thanks to a high-octane offense and one of the best players in the state in electric guard Tennessee Rainwater. The Gorillas are going to need Rainwater to show up in a big way if they want to leave Spokane as champions. If he's healthy, the odds look good for Davenport. Some other teams in the tournament are peaking at the right time, though.
FIELD
One of the biggest lopsided wins out of regionals last weekend was Columbia (Burbank)'s win over fifth-seeded Brewster. The Coyotes commanded the game, forcing the Bears into 31 turnovers en route to a 93-72 win. Led by the trio of Quincy Scott, Tristan Frimodt and Michael Lenke, Burbank isn't just in a good position to wreak havoc on this year's tournament, but for years to come with Scott and Frimodt only sophomores. Napavine is also playing well this time of year, pulling off an upset of third-seeded Lake Roosevelt to move right into a quarterfinal game Thursday. The Tigers may have their work cut out for them if Brewster gets past Tri-Cities prep on the first day of the tournament.
8 PLAYERS TO WATCH
G Brendon Brown, Chief Leschi, sr. (20.8 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3 spg)
G Tristan Frimodt, Columbia (Burbank), soph. (17 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg)
W Kelson Gebbers, Brewster, sr. (27.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2 spg)
G Tennessee Rainwater, Davenport, sr. (28.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 9.5 rpg, 2.1 spg)
F Josh Salguero, Morton-White Pass, sr.
G Braeden Salme, Adna, jr. (19.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.3 apg)
G Quincy Scott, Columbia (Burbank), soph. (18 ppg, 7 rbg, 3 apg)
G Avi West, Northwest Christian (Colbert), soph. (20 ppg)
FINAL FOUR PREDICTION
Davenport, Morton-White Pass, Columbia (Burbank), Brewster
CHAMPIONSHIP PICK
Columbia (Burbank) 77, Morton-White Pass 72
