Road to Tacoma: Washington high school (WIAA) Class 4A state boys basketball preview
The 2022-23 WIAA basketball season is down to its final week - with 12 remaining Class 3A boys basketball programs expected soon in Tacoma 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)
- Curtis handles Richland, takes path directly to Class 4A boys basketball quarterfinals
- Mount Si pummels Tahoma for regional win; secures first-round bye in Tacoma
Wednesday schedule
G1: Davis of Yakima (17-5) vs. Skyline (20-5), 9 a.m.
Winner plays Federal Way (23-2) in Thursday quarterfinals, 9 a.m.
G2: Camas (18-7) vs. Tahoma (19-6), 10:30 a.m.
Winner plays Curtis (25-3) in Thursday quarterfinals, 10:30 a.m.
G3: Mariner (16-8) vs. Gonzaga Prep (21-4), 12:15 p.m.
Winner plays Olympia (23-5) in Thursday quarterfinals, 12:15 p.m.
G4: Union (19-6) vs. Richland (21-4), 2 p.m.
Winner plays Mount Si (24-2) in Thursday quarterfinals, 2 p.m.
State semifinals Friday: 3:45 and 5:30 p.m.
Championship game Saturday: 9 p.m.
12 PLAYERS TO WATCH
SF Dalton Brown, Tahoma, jr. (16.5 ppg, 7 rpg)
G Beckett Currie, Camas, soph. (21 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.7 steals)
G Zoom Diallo, Curtis, jr. (20 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.7 apg)
F Yanni Fassilis, Union, sr. (23.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.5 steals, 1.9 blocks)
G Parker Gerrits, Olympia, sr. (19.3 ppg, 2.9 steals)
F Miles Heide, Mount Si, sr. (17.8 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 2 blocks)
G Trevor Hennig, Mount Si, jr. (19 ppg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 steals)
G Jamil Miller, Gonzaga Prep, sr. (18 ppg, 6 rpg)
G Tyce Paulsen, Curtis, sr. (16.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.3 steals, 1.4 blocks)
W Dylan Reilly, Skyline, sr. (17 ppg, 6 rpg)
F Vaughn Weems, Federal Way, sr. (17.6 ppg, 10 rpg, 3.1 steals)
G Josh Woodard, Richland, jr. (18.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5 apg, 2.8 steals)
THE FAVORITE
Ever since a mid-season loss to Olympia, Curtis has been on a roll, winning 13 consecutive games heading into the state tournament this week. Two of those wins in are against Olympia for league and district titles. The Bears are the only team from the state to beat the Vikings this season, but Curtis has the experience of a state championship run under its belt. With standout guards Zoom Diallo and Tyce Paulsen leading the way, plus the solid play of guard Cinque Maxwell, the Vikings seem a good a bet as any to run it back.
THE FIELD
Mount Si is not only looking to make its fourth consecutive state title game appearance this week, the Wildcats are also hoping to redeem themselves from last year's overtime heartbreaker and come out on top this time around. They have the size, speed and scorers to play with anyone. Another trip to the championship game – and a possible rematch with Curtis – has good odds. Third-seeded Olympia is also looking to make a run, but the Bears will have their work cut out for them, having to likely take down Mount Si and/or Curtis if they want to be the ones leaving Tacoma as champions. And on the same side of the bracket as Curtis is Federal Way – a team that could have been the top seed in this tournament. The Eagles have the pieces for a championship run, but certainly don't face the easiest road to a title.
FINAL FOUR PREDICTION
Federal Way, Curtis, Olympia, Mount Si
CHAMPIONSHIP PICK
Curtis 60, Mount Si 57
