Spring Notes on SW WA’s Top 2019 Prospects
As we head into the Grassroots season, these players have solidified themselves as the top players in Southwest Washington for the class of 2019. Below, we will review some of the accomplishments of each athlete, as well as tell you where to find them this spring and summer.
Alex Schumacher, Guard, 6’2, Skyview
Alex Schumacher, commonly referred to as “Schu,” is a big-time player. The 2018 4A GSHL Co-MVP is coming off of a season in which he led the Skyview Storm to a 6th place finish in state, the best in school history, with his 17.4 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 3.5 assists per game. Shooting 43% from the field and 33% from three, Schu displayed the ability to get hot quick and take over basketball games. His composure as a point guard this season was impressive to watch and his leadership skills should only grow entering into his senior year.
For the Grassroots season, Schumacher is currently playing with the Rose City Rebels 17U, who will be playing in the 2nd Session of the EYBL in Indiana this weekend. In three games last weekend, Schu averaged just under 10 points per game.
Kameron Osborn, Guard, 6’0, Prairie
Kam Osborn can FLAT… OUT… SCORE. The 2018 3A GSHL Co-MVP averaged 21.4 points per game and approached the 50-40-90 shooting split. Osborn finished the season shooting 50.4% from the field, 37% from three-point range, and 80% from the free-throw line. The athletic point guard also averaged 4.1 rebounds per game and 4.75 assists per game. Osborn was one of the hardest players to defend in the region this year, using a lethal mid-range jumper when defenders closed out hard to take away the three.
Osborn is playing with Team Fly-Team White this offseason, playing alongside Isaiah Sampson (featured below). Look for Osborn to fill up the stat sheet this spring and summer, while also displaying his sheer competitive spirit.
Shaw Anderson, Wing, 6’7, Kelso
Shaw Anderson had a breakout year. Despite growing several inches between his sophomore and junior years, Anderson was able to maintain his athleticism, allowing him to focus on developing his skills. His 23 points per game, on an eye-popping 62% shooting from the field, and 7.5 rebounds per game secured him recognition as the 2018 3A GSHL Co-MVP. Kelso assistant coach Justin Roberts had this to say about Anderson: “He can play away from the basket with space and also dominate in the post. [He is] a pretty special player for sure.”
Anderson is currently playing with Washington Supreme, who will be playing in the UAA Session 2 in Indianapolis this weekend. Shaw totaled 30 points on 55% shooting in his first weekend with the team last weekend.
Isaiah Sampson, Wing, 6’6, Camas
Isaiah Sampson is a powerful wing that exerts his will on the interior. Sampson had 6 double-doubles this past year at Camas, 4 of which saw him pull down at least 14 rebounds, while racking up averages of 12.6 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game. Sampson shot 46% from the field and 81% from the free-throw line, while also increasing his three-point shooting percentage by 14 percentage points between his sophomore and junior year. Sampson’s ability to catch the ball on the perimeter, drive it into the paint, and either pull-up for the jumper or finish with power through defenders allows for him to control the paint on the offensive end.
Sampson will be playing with Team Fly-Team White this spring and summer, as mentioned above. As one of the only players on the team standing taller than 6’3, Sampson plays both the wing and the post for Team Fly, allowing him to display both his developing perimeter game and his tough interior play.
Ethan Smith, Guard, 6’0, Union
Ethan Smith, the 4A GSHL Second Team All-League guard, may be the best shooter in the state of Washington. Smith set a school record with his 87 made three-pointers this season, on 44% shooting from three, shattering Cameron Cranston’s record of 70 made three-pointers. Smith also tied the school record of 7 made threes in a single game 3 different times this season. His 14.3 points per game were supplemented by his knockdown three-point shooting, his 85% shooting from the free-throw line, and his ability to finish floaters from any angle. Smith was also a close candidate for the 50-40-90 shooting split, with his field goal percentage at 45%.
Smith will be playing with Iron Athletics Sixers 17U this Saturday in the Premier Open Run tournament in Portland, Oregon, but Smith is otherwise uncommitted to any team for this Spring. Later this summer, he will be playing with an AAU team that will feature players from Union High School and Puyallup High School.