Standouts in Whatcom County this Summer — Forwards

After attending the Laurel Shootout a few weeks ago at Meridian HS, this past weekend I attended the Green & Gold Summer Invite at Lynden HS and saw many great performances from many different athletes. These upcoming groups of articles will be combining those two tournaments, creating the top players who have stood out so far in Whatcom County early in the summer!   Braden Thomas -2023 -Anacortes HS Braden’s energy on the court is through the roof. His energy is so contagious he can get the entire team fired up in a matter of seconds. Thomas’ three point shot was on point at the Laurel Shootout, draining multiple against Meadowdale, many having a defender in his face. The senior to be is as gritty as they come on the court, using his body in a dominate way down low. Anacortes is a team to watch with Thomas and 2025 Davis Fogle Davis Fogle 6'3" | PG Anacortes | 2025 State WA emerging as a solid playmaker as well.   Photo: Dennis Cairns , Dennis Cairns Photography   Jeremiah Wright Jeremiah Wright 6'6" | PF Lynden Christian | 2024 WA -Lynden Christian -2024 This was my first time watching Jeremiah in person and I was impressed. Watching the junior to-be EASILY rise above 3/4 defenders and grab rebounds. During warmups he is easily throwing down dunks and hitting the outside shot too. Wright sets extremely strong/effective screens for his guards, helping them get open for shots or to have them dump him the ball and he easily lays it in. His strength on the court really stood out to me, he’s an intriguing 2024 to keep an eye on. He can easily rise into our top 10/20 of our 2024 class rankings.   Blaine Granberg Blaine Granberg 6'3" | SF Burlington-Edison | 2023 WA -Burlington-Edison HS -2023 Blaine’s game has taken the next step since I watched him late in the season last year. Blaine’s athleticism stands out to me instantly, given he’s throwing dunks down with ease during warm-ups. His athleticism translates onto the court in many ways. He can easily out-rebound almost every guard in the NWC, and can quickly run the court making him very effective in transition. Granberg is also a lights out shooter who’s not afraid to pull it from deep right in the defenders eye, and knock it down. He’s a key piece to this Burlington-Edison squad next season.   Kayden Stuit -Lynden Christian -2024 This was also my first time watching Stuit (41 in picture below) and honestly, he stood out the most so far out of anyone this summer. Kayden is an absolute force down low. He has an extremely big frame, and he uses it very well. He’s athletic for his size, throwing down dunks during pre-game warmups as well. One thing that stood out from Kayden was his high IQ. He knew exactly where his guards want him to set his screens, and rolls to the rim effectively. Kayden’s game will take a huge step this year playing along side Wright & 2023 guards Tyler Sipma Tyler Sipma 6'0" | CG Lynden Christian | 2023 State WA and Griffin Dykstra.   Photo: Dennis Cairns, Dennis Cairns Photography