Watch Out: The NPSL 4A in The Playoffs
Watch Out: the NPSL 4A in the playoffs Everyone knows the 4A powerhouses this year, they know Mount Si and their ridiculously deep roster will be gunning for a title, they know that the quick and talented Union squad…
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Continue ReadingWatch Out: the NPSL 4A in the playoffs
Everyone knows the 4A powerhouses this year, they know Mount Si and their ridiculously deep roster will be gunning for a title, they know that the quick and talented Union squad has been practically unbeatable, and they know various other top seeds like Central Valley and Glacier Peak to be serious contenders. However, if there is one group of teams that are primed to make a splash in the tournament this year, it is those that hail from the NPSL 4A.
3 teams come from the NPSL this year, the Federal Way Eagles with the 5 seed, the Auburn Trojans with the 7 seed, and in the 16 seed spot, the Kentwood conquerors. Each of these teams know how to win, know what they are up against and know that they have a real opportunity.
Auburn High School
The Trojans went an impressive 23-5 this season, with a 13-1 record in league. They took the NPSL Olympic division by a slim margin, beating out fellow contender Federal Way by just one game. What got the Trojans here, and what they hope will get them further, is their talented young core. With Players like Maleek Arington, a dynamic ball-handler and unstoppable scorer, along with Trevon Blassingame, an offensive weapon and defensive force, Auburn is capable of giving any team problems. They play hard, they play fast, they can adjust to whatever situation they find themselves in and they don’t care about the name on the jersey of whoever it is they are facing.
Federal Way High School
As a School, Federal Way is no stranger to the state spotlight and deep tournament runs, but as a team, things look considerably different than they have in years past. They may no longer have the help of all-American talents like Jaden McDaniels or Tari Eason, but their talent now coupled with their experience should provide hope for a serious run this postseason. Senior and first-team guard Bradley Graham has been a member of this federal way team through their years of Dominance, and now alongside third team guard Peter Erickson, he and the Federal way eagles are poised to continue their legacy of playoff runs.
Kentwood High School
The Kentwood conquerors are another NPSL team that has gotten used to playing in the Postseason. In the 2016-17 season, the Conks won it all as a 3 seed, and while a 16 seed is far from a 3, they are surely not rattled by the circumstances. Not to mention the elite talent their team possesses in players like first-team all NPSL guard Iyzik Pam, who’s shifty speed and handles make him a threat whenever the ball is in his hands, or the athletic third-team all NPSL forward, Jaelin Green. Kentwood plays with an Unselfish, next-man-up mentality with playmakers all across the board and they enter every game truly believing that they have a chance. That confidence, coupled with their drive and talent, is sure to give opposing teams problems during this postseason.
With three hungry teams armed and ready to make a serious run in the upcoming tournament, the NPSL will continue its legacy of producing competitive, gritty and talented teams that rank among the best that Washington state has to offer.