3A State Basketball Tournament Preview
The Washington State 3A basketball tournament, to be held March 1-3 at the Tacoma Dome, features some amazing teams and unreal talent. This years tourney is wide open. The State's
top conference, the Metro 3A, is well represented with 3 squads. Throw in a handful of other ball clubs with only a couple of losses each and you have the recipe for a great show. The talent
level at the tourney is off the charts good!! Let's take a gander at the opening day matchups:
Rainier Beach (24-3) vs. Mountlake Terrace (23-1)
The highly explosive Vikings from Seattle and the vaunted Metro conference, moved on to state by crushing Glacier Peak 87-51 in regional action. The Viks are paced by Kansas recruit
Anrio Adams, a lightning quick 6'3" all everything guard. Adams averages 20.6 points a game. Talented 6'0" junior guard Marquis Davis averages 14.3 points a game for the Beach. Senior point man Will Dorsey a slick 5'9" senior and 6'6" sophomore big man Djuan Piper help make the Vikings roll.
The Mountlake Terrace Hawks from the Wesco conference advanced to Tacoma by defeating Decatur 77-62. The Hawks are a very team oriented squad with a balanced scoring attack.
Montana State recruit Ryan Shannon, a 6'7" senior, leads the way. Junior sharpshooter Blake Fernandez, a 6'1" guard, averages 11.4 points a game. 6'1" junior Marquis Armstead rips the
nets for 11.9 points a contest. Senior Coby Russell, a 6'4" post, averages 9.2 points a ball game.
University (18-4) vs. Lake Washington (20-6)
The University High School Titans out of Spokane, defeated Kennewick 95-81 in regional action to advance to state. The Titans are a very tall and talented ball club that can shoot the rock
very well. The Titans top gun is University of San Diego recruit Brett Bailey. Brett is a 6'5" Junior swingman who hits for 16.8 points a game. Forward Zech Martin, a 6'5" Senior banger adds
13.7 points and 6.2 boards a game. Connor Johnson, another 6'5" senior forward,Odea, Seko, Wiggs, Dane, abe, fighting, irish, adds to the Titans powerful frontline.
The Lake Washington Kangaroos from Kirkland and the Kingco conference made it to Tacoma by defeating Wilson 51-40. The Kangs are led by Darien Nelson-Henry, a monster in the middle at 6'11". Darien is senior who averages 18 points and 12 rebounds a game. He is a University of Pennsylvania recruit. Three year all-league point guard Matt Staudacher, a 6'1" Senior, adds
13.5 points a game for the Kangaroos. 6'6" senior forward Guy Lynott chips in with a healthy 12.2 points a game as well.
O'Dea (20-7) vs. Seattle Prep (22-5)
The O'Dea Fighting Irish from Seattle and the tough Metro conference advanced to the Tacoma Dome by virtue of their 67-48 win over Lincoln of Tacoma. The Irish men are a veteran bunch and have seemed to hit their stride as of late. O'Dea is paced by sweet shooting off guard Sekou Wiggs, a 6'3" Senior. Wiggs is averaging 18.4 points a game. 6'5" senior post Dane Abe, a solid interior glass worker scores at 17.7 points per game. 6'0" senior point guard Jalen Ward is a cheetah quick playmaker hitting at 12 points a contest for the Irish.
The Seattle Prep Panthers out of Seattle and also the Metro conference roll into Tacoma after beating up Mountain View 64-39 in regional action. The Panthers are red hot coming off their hard earned regional title. Seattle Prep's top player is highly sought after junior guard DJ Fenner, a 6'6" sky-walker. Fenner is scoring at 17.7 points a game. Pepperdine recruit Mitch Brewe, a 6'8" senior post is shredding it at 16.8 points per game. Highly touted 6'7" sophomore Josh Martin and veteran point guard Jackson Clough help make the Panthers click.
Kennedy Catholic (21-3) vs. Kamiakin (22-1)
The Kennedy Lancers from Burien and the Seamount conference advanced to the 3A dance by defeating Mercer Island 73-67 in regional play. The Lancers will be will be led into battle by Seattle Pacific University recruit Mitch Penner. The deadly shooting Penner is a 6'5" swingman hitting at 24.2 points per game. 2-time all-leaguer Cole Madison, a bruising 6'4" 235 pound senior, will do the dirty work inside for Kennedy. Freshman phenom AJ McGrew, a 6'1" guard, and 5'9" junior guard Anthony McCluskey help make the Lancers go.
The Braves from Kamiakin High School out of the Tri-Cities and the Columbia Basin Big Nine 3A league, advanced to the dome by defeating Foss 58-54 in the regionals. The Braves are led by twin towers Justin Pedley and Zach En'Wezoh. Pedley is a 3-year all-leaguer. Justin is a 6'6" senior averaging 19.4 points a contest. En'Wezoh is a Columbia University recruit. Zach is a jumping jack 6'7" senior who scores at 13 points a game. The Braves backcourt is paced by junior Cooper Clyde and senior Javan Williams.
Get to the Tacoma Dome and catch some of these Marquie match ups as the WIAA Dairy Farmers of Washington State Basketball Championships get going in grand fashion.
