WIAA State Tourney: 3A Semi-Final Previews
As the state quarterfinals have come to an end yesterday, now there are only four teams left looking to compete and win a 3A state championship. Yet again the semifinals involve all teams from Metro League, interestingly enough only two…
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Continue ReadingAs the state quarterfinals have come to an end yesterday, now there are only four teams left looking to compete and win a 3A state championship. Yet again the semifinals involve all teams from Metro League, interestingly enough only two of these teams were ranked high coming into the tournament.
3A
(1) Eastside Catholic vs. (4) Garfield
3:45pm
Garfield is coming off a dominant win against Marysville-Pilchuck, Bulldogs as a whole play with a high motor and it starts with their 6’8 forward Tari Eason Tari Eason 6'8" | PF Garfield | 2020 State #99 Nation WA who is committed to Cincinnati. Look out for standout freshman Jaylin Stewart Jaylin Stewart 6'7" | SG Garfield | 2023 State #71 Nation WA who put up 15 points in his state tournament debut, Kendall Munson Kendall Munson 6'8" | SF Garfield | 2020 State #252 Nation WA who dominates the interior and has great size, also Koren Johnson Koren Johnson 6'3" | SG Wasatch Academy | 2022 #83 Nation WA who can shoot from just about anywhere on the floor and pushes the tempo. Vatrevyon Garner Vatrevyon Garner 6'3" | SG Garfield | 2020 WA is critical to Garfield’s defensive identity because he’s going to defend baseline to baseline. Eastside Catholic comes into the tournament ranked 1st and has faced Garfield twice now with the mindset of not losing to them three times. With arguably the best point guard in Washington state Nolan Hickman Nolan Hickman 6'2" | PG Eastside Catholic | 2021 #29 Nation UT who does just about anything from scoring to passing and pushing the tempo. But Jaylahn Tuimoloau is a matchup nightmare because he can finish around the rim, score outside and can guard positions 1-5, Shane Nowell Shane Nowell 6'6" | SG Eastside Catholic | 2021 State #85 Nation WA is explosive in transition and can hurt opposing teams from midrange. A player to watch is Syon Blackmon Syon Blackmon 6'2" | SG Eastside Catholic | 2020 State WA , he scores in spurts which has been essential for the Crusaders all season.
(7) O’Dea vs. (13) Rainier Beach
5:30pm
Rainier Beach has fought their way all season and have surprised a lot of people that they’ve made it here in the final four, but their journey hasn’t been easy at all. In the regionals round they beat Lincoln (Tacoma) with critical scoring from their guard John Hart John Hart 6'3" | CG Rainier Beach | 2020 State WA and defensive effort by Winston Cole Winston Cole 6'2" | CG Rainier Beach | 2021 State WA . Heading into this year’s state tournament the Vikings are ranked 13th, with come from behind wins against Evergreen (Vancouver) and Kamiakin they’ve earned themselves a chance to survive and advance. Players to watch Ziggy Holmes-Williams Ziggy Holmes-Williams 6'2" | SG Rainier Beach | 2022 State WA who had 15 points and 8 rebounds in yesterday’s game, Nahmir Robinson who has great speed and plays with good pace, lastly Kejohn Atkins who can score from just about anywhere on the floor. O’Dea ranked 7th and coming off an overtime win against Seattle Prep are looking to advance past the Vikings to get where they were last year which was the championship game. With double-double machine Paolo Banchero Paolo Banchero 6'10" | PF O'Dea | 2021 State #3 Nation WA who has been dominant all season, players like John Christofilis John Christofilis 6'4" | SG O'Dea | 2021 State #185 Nation WA who is a sharpshooter provides critical scoring for the Fighting Irish.