Virginia signee Jacob Cofie named 'Mr. Basketball' by Washington coaches association (WIBCA)
Add another award to Jacob Cofie's expanding postseason recognition slate - WIBCA all-classification's "Mr. Basketball" for 2023-24.
A week after leading Eastside Catholic to its first WIAA Class 3A boys basketball title, the 6-foot-10 Virginia signee was given the highest honor by the Washington coaches association (WIBCA) - state senior-only player of the year.
During the season, Cofie averaged 23.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 3.0 blocks per game in leading the Crusaders to the 3A Sea-King District championship.
Over the WIAA tournament in the Tacoma Dome, he averaged 18.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocks in three games, and was voted most valuable player.
Other winners in each classification included Mount Si's Trevor Hennig (4A); Mount Spokane's Ryan Lafferty (3A); Lynden's Anthony Canales and North Kitsap's Cade Orness (2A); Lynden Christian's Dawson Bouma (1A); Napavine's Jame Grose (2B) and Cusick's Bode Seymour (1B).
WIBCA state coaches of the years included Mount Si's Jason Griffith (4A); Eastside Catholic's Brent Merritt (3A); Lynden's Brian Roper (2A); Zillah's Mario Mangarelli (1A); Colfax's Reece Jenkins (2B) and Wellpinit's Billy Flett Jr. (1B).
(Featured file photo by Vince Miller)
