Preseason All-Classification All-State Teams
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I’ve already nailed down my picks for All-State in the top divisions in Washington. Now, it’s time to look across all divisions and select the very best players to represent Washington’s All-Classification All-State Team. These are players who savor big…
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Continue ReadingI’ve already nailed down my picks for All-State in the top divisions in Washington. Now, it’s time to look across all divisions and select the very best players to represent Washington’s All-Classification All-State Team. These are players who savor big moments, who have the ability to turn a game on its head, and most importantly, who represent some of the highest levels of basketball this state has to offer. Here are my picks across all classifications for Player of the Year and All-State Teams.
POY
It is a tough choice for just who will bring home this award, but Diallo embodies leadership to such a degree on the court that it lifts him above the rest in my view. He affects the game in every way possible and is my pick to be the State Player of the Year in 2022-23.
First Team
Stewart has a right to be in the Player of the Year conversation as well. He has been a top player for one of the top teams in the state both last season and entering this year. Being able to stand shoulders above some truly talented teammates should not go overlooked, and Stewart is another player who looks ready for the next level as he enters his senior season.
Timberline will only go as far as this man can take them and he is another sneaky player that could wind up in the Player of the Year talks. Expect the bursty guard to rack up the numbers this season and have some Superman-like games in the South Sound Conference.
One of the more classic big men in the state, Heide has the tools to shut down the paint area with his rebounding and defending. He moves so well on offense that other posts get lost guarding him in pick and rolls and through his overall movement and energy. He is deserving of this spot, and I have no doubts he’ll have a huge season at Mount Si.
Gerrits is a skilled scorer and point man, and yet another case of a guy standing out among a team of talented players. He helped carry Olympia to an excellent season in 2021-22 and is poised to be one of the best players in the state this season. Gerrits has been working to elevate his game even further and has looked the part through spring and summer.
Highlights
This is one of the more exciting guys to key in on heading into the hoops season. He deferred a lot last season with two top players on his team but also came up with buckets in big games and big moments. King has grown his game since last season and will be ready for some good battles in the Metro League this winter.
Second Team
Cofie definitely has the talent to be a first-team player and is also one of the rising players in his class nationally. He has shown off his growth as a potential wing player, facilitating from outside and the top of the key, as well as burying jumpers from those areas. He will certainly get the looks this season to generate some big stat lines and be a player to watch among the best in the state.
Sanders brings a different style of game to this team as a more defensively minded player who has really grown his game on the offensive end. He’s tough, strong, and has good instincts, and his ability to lead his team through his play will be huge in determining what kind of season they have.
Highlights
I couldn’t leave Marrs off of here because for how good he has been, he still has more to show us. He is a player that should be close to un-guardable against most 2A teams and has shown over the summer how rare his skillset is. It will be interesting to see how far he can take the Bulldogs this season as one of the top players in the state.
Highlights
McDaniel is a player who could have a season quite similar to one of the top seniors last season, Dylan Darling. Silas was a middle of the pack team without McDaniel last year, but they have enough talent to make a splash in 3A and McDaniel has the elite ability to make those around him better. He can score from all over, is a big body that plays stout defense, and has the vision and feel to hit teammates at the perfect time. He could be an intriguing pick for Player of the Year if all goes right at Silas.
Tyce is size and grace with a little dash of toughness thrown in. An elite shooter with a big body that plays on the glass, Paulsen is an integral part of the Curtis Vikings. He makes winning plays and starts from the jump, leaving his fingerprints all over the game night after night.
Highlights
All-State Watchlist
Parker Baumann Parker Baumann 6'5" | CG Shorecrest | 2023 State WA , Levi Pepper Levi Pepper 6'6" | SF Selah | 2023 State WA , Anthony Canales Anthony Canales 6'4" | SG Lynden | 2024 State WA , Kelson Gebbers Kelson Gebbers 6'6" | SF Brewster | 2023 State WA , Tennessee Rainwater Tennessee Rainwater 6'6" | CG Davenport | 2023 State WA