Freshman & Sophomore First Weekend Standouts
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With the season underway, it’s always a great time to get introduced to up-and-coming younger players. Through watching Jamborees and opening night games, I’ve compiled five players in the 2025 and 2026 classes that have the potential to be exceptional…
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Continue ReadingWith the season underway, it’s always a great time to get introduced to up-and-coming younger players. Through watching Jamborees and opening night games, I’ve compiled five players in the 2025 and 2026 classes that have the potential to be exceptional players this season, and far into the future. Here are my names to know for the future from the opening weekend.
It’s a brand-new year for the Highline hoops team and one they’ll face without last season’s star player, Amare Jackson Amare Jackson 6’5″ | SF O’Dea | 2023 State WA . With Jackson’s departure to O’Dea, a big hole opened up and one guy who looks eager to fill it, is 2025 forward Corey Crosby Corey Crosby 6’4″ | SF Highline | 2025 State WA . Crosby had a strong showing against 3A Cascade on Monday night, driving to the hoop with conviction and making plays over the top and through tough defense. He was assertive, confident, and showed a promising ability to handle the ball and create his own opportunities, primarily in and around the paint. He made good decisions with the ball in his hands, choosing when to push the issue, when to be patient, and an awareness to make the right pass while attacking in the lane. There is big potential here and Crosby should get ample opportunities this season.
Disma Kagarabi
Disma Kagarabi
Kagarabi is still pretty raw but that is to be expected with a young player of his size. He’s 6’7 and has a long, lanky frame, and displayed soft touch while working close in. He’s able to eat up a lot of space with his back to the basket, using drop-steps and attacking defenders at the right angles to get an edge and vision of the hoop. Based on his soft touch around the hoop, I’d say there is chance for a three-point shot to develop but Kagarabi might end up being a late bloomer of sorts. He’ll be a good contributor off the bench this season and once he starts to fill out and get stronger, should be able to start to expand his game and come into his own.
Drew Jones
Drew Jones
Jones was a surprising find, starting at point guard for the Vikings against Todd Beamer Monday night. Jones was not only one of the most impressive underclassmen on the floor, he was one of the most impressive players period. In his first taste of varsity basketball Jones played confidently, calmly, and with good awareness running the offense. He was about as solid as you could ask for, sinking shots at the line, showing good range from three, and good balance and strength at the rim. It’s one thing to have the talent, but to have the poised demeanor also bodes well for the young point guard.
Will Nasinec
Will Nasinec
Nasinec is the youngest player on this list and still has a long way to go, but in his first high school game he showed a lot of promise in a little time. He’s long, has good aggression on both ends, and shows a lot of early ball skills that indicates good athleticism and hand-eye that comes easy to the young forward. He moves well, handled the ball comfortably in the open court, and will get some valuable experience this season that should help accelerate his development.
Kody Holcomb
Kody Holcomb
Get to know this name now, because this kid could have already begun his breakout season. The 6’6 wing player has easy range from three, a sweet stroke from the line, and looks to be a dynamic scorer in the making. Yanni Fassilis Yanni Fassilis 6’5″ | SF Union | 2023 State WA will be Union’s “do-it-all” man but Holcomb looks to be his trusty number two who can help carry the load offensively; playmaking, scoring the rock, and making the little plays that come with having a natural feel for the game. Holcomb isn’t just a shooter though, he knows he’s big and attacks the glass, mixes it up at the rim, and shows good defensive versatility guarding interior & perimeter players. It was a strong first showing and Holcomb is now firmly on my radar.