Battle of the South Sound – Olympia vs Tumwater – November 26th
In this article:
Nothing like an early season match-up of two teams that will be in the hunt for a state title in their respective classifications. Olympia (4A) will be taking on Tumwater (2A), Saturday November 26th – (7pm tentatively) at Olympia high…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingNothing like an early season match-up of two teams that will be in the hunt for a state title in their respective classifications. Olympia (4A) will be taking on Tumwater (2A), Saturday November 26th – (7pm tentatively) at Olympia high school. Originally scheduled to be a jamboree, W.F. West will be playing in the state semi-finals in football and canceled, setting the stage for the two South Sound teams. Most of the players on each side have played together for years in the off-season for Roots Academy. That included a prephoops Hustle Region championship this summer. Parker Gerrits Parker Gerrits 6'1" | PG Olympia | 2023 State WA , Luke Brewer Luke Brewer 6'2" | PG Tumwater | 2023 State WA , Andreas Engholm Andreas Engholm 6'8" | PF Olympia | 2023 State WA , Andrew Collins Andrew Collins 6'4" | SG Tumwater | 2023 State WA , Mason Juergens, Drew Carlson Drew Carlson 6'1" | SG Olympia | 2024 State WA , Luke Reid, to name a few. They all were a part of the Roots team during the summer. They will be on opposite sides for the first time since on Saturday.
A couple of all state guards
They might be teammates and good friends in the off-season and during season – when they aren’t playing each other. This game will be a battle between some of the fiercest competitors in the state. Luke Brewer Luke Brewer 6'2" | PG Tumwater | 2023 State WA vs Parker Gerrits Parker Gerrits 6'1" | PG Olympia | 2023 State WA in the backcourt (pictured above). Two of the top guards in the South Sound and pre-season all state candidates in their respective classifications will set their friendship aside for 32 minutes and go head to head with talent across the board on each side.
What else to watch
He gives Olympia an advantage in the paint as the best post player in this game and one of the best in the state. He is skilled as an offensive player who can score with his back to the basket or step out and hit the jumper from three. He is a tough player who rebounds, blocks shots and runs the floor. He could be a tough match-up for Tumwater and gives Olympia the power advantage on the block.
Highlights
He is an important piece for Tumwater and can give Brewer some help in the scoring column with his athletic skills and smooth game. As a 6’4 wing, he could be a match-up problem for a lot of teams this season. Tumwater has a deep team, but he is the number two guy in the offense. They will count on him to fill the stat sheet and the lane, which he does well.
Mason Juergens
Mason Juergens
With all the weapons Olympia has, he is one who could blow a game wide open in a hurry with his shooting skills. He is deadly from beyond the arc and also runs the point most of the time when Gerrits doesn’t have the ball. He is also active on defense and puts himself in the middle of things, forcing lots of turnovers. Olympia loves to run and much of it comes from their defensive pressure.
Luke Reid
Luke Reid
He will be counted on to handle the ball along with Brewer in the backcourt. I expect that to be an important part of the game for Tumwater. Taking care of the ball against the pressure. He will help with that as well as being a threat to hit shots from long distance. Much like Juergens, he can get hot in a hurry.
Both these teams are deep and will rely on a team effort to come away with the victory. I give Olympia the advantage in this one. Whatever happens, I’m sure they will remember this one for years to come and continue to root for each other in every other game the teams play this season.
Prediction – Olympia 77-65