WIAA 4A State Preview Part 2: Teams Ranked 5-8
A few days ago I did a preview of the top 4 ranked teams according to the RPI at the 4A level in Washington. In Part two I will preview teams 5-8 in the RPI at the 4A level in Washington. All 8 teams have already punched their tickets to Tacoma but the losers will play in a looser out game at the dome on Wednesday Feb. 28.
#5 A.C. Davis
20-2 Columbia Basin Big-Nine
Team Summary– Davis is a young team lead by two experienced seniors. Collin Kelley and Alexzander Delgado lead the Pirates to a 20-2 record only loosing to top ranked Union, and Gonzaga prep. Two games in which the Pirates stood their ground. Davis has notable wins against Kamiakin, and Sunnyside. Davis had an early exit at the Tacoma Dome last year losing to Curtis at the regional game, and Richland in the looser out game at the Tacoma Dome. Davis will go as far as its two Seniors Kelley, and Delgado can take them. Davis will play Richland on Friday, February 23rd at Chiawana High School at 6pm.
Players to Watch
Collin Kelley- 6’6 Senior W/F. Kelley is a special athlete there are videos roaming around twitter of him putting down a between the legs dunk during warm ups. He is capable of a highlight play anytime he touches the ball. He also does a good job of using his athleticism to finish at the rim and post up smaller defenders. He has improved his outside shooting and can knock down the open 3 point shot.
Alexzander Delgado– 5’9 Senior PG. Delgado runs the offense for the Pirates. He has a great motor, and determines the pace of play. He has a great stop-and-pop midrange game. Even thought he is 5’9 his has long wingspan makes up for his height. He pressures the ball very well causing turn overs and Delgado is great at finishing at the basket using creative finishes.
Ivory Kimble– 6’1 Junior F. Kimble is a presence down low. His main sport is football but he does a great job down low for the Pirates by using his body to rebound and get easy put backs. He is a handful to box out in the post.
Brock Williams– 5’11 Junior G. Williams stretches the floor for the Pirates hitting timely 3 pointers. He handles the ball for the pirates and is a great role player for the 5th ranked Pirates.
#6 Federal Way
24-1 North Puget Sound (Olympic)
Team Summary– Federal Way lead by coach Collins is ready to make another run at a state championship after finishing sixth last year. Federal way can light up the scoreboard scoring 114 points in one game earlier this year hitting 19 three pointers. Federal way is a long athletic team that can challenge every shot at the rim, and they hit the boards hard offensively. Etan Collins and Jaden McDaniels who is one of the top recruits of class of 2019 leads the way for the Eagles. along with a cast of Seniors Federal Way has enough firepower to make a deep run this year. Federal Way suffered their first loss in the district championship against Enumclaw. Federal Way has notable wins against Enumclaw, and Union. Federal way will play Union on Saturday, February 24th at Battle Ground High School at 8pm.
Players to Watch
Jaden McDaniels- 6’9 Junior W. Jaden Mcdaniels is a long athletic wing he gets offensive rebounds and attacks the basket well using his length and protects the rim by blocking and contesting shots. He has even showed that he can step out and hit the 3 ball. McDaniels is one of the top recruits in the country for the class of 2019 and is receiving offers from top d1 schools in the country.
Etan Collins– 6’5 Senior F. Collins is a high level rebounder and bangs down low in the post. He is also tough defender. He finishes well at the rim and uses his mid range game to create space for driving opportunities.
Marcus Austin– 6’4 Senior W. Austin is a high energy player, He rebounds and attacks well and he is a big contributor to Federal Ways success.
#7 Enumclaw
20-5 North Puget Sound (Olympic)
Team Summary- Enumclaw has notable wins over Curtis, and Federal Way. Enumclaw is coming off its biggest win of the season. A 53-44 win over #6 Federal Way in the District Championship. Enumclaw held Federal way to a season low 44 points. Enumclaw takes pride in its defense, in only 10 of its 25 games Enuclaws allowed their opponent to score more than 50 points. The community is behind this Enumclaw basketball team and they are ready to make a run at state this year. Enumclaw will play Skyview on Saturday, February 24th at Battle Ground High School at 6pm.
Players to Watch
#1 Kaden Anderson– 6’7 Senior W. Anderson shared the co NPSL Olympic MVP title with McDaniels and all year has been a force down low. He can take defenders off the dribble or post up. He does a great job of using his body and size to absorb contact and finish at the rim. Anderson can put up some big numbers. Anderson is considering playing football in college but he is also talking to D2 schools like Western Washington, NW Nazarene and Montana State-Billings to play basketball.
#12 Peter Erickson– 6’6 Sophomore G. Erickson is a 6’6 shooter he is only a sophomore but he can light it up from 3 point land. He hit 6 three pointers in the upset against federal way in the district championship.
#5 Bryson Engebretsen– 5’11 Junior G. Engebretsen holds point guard duties for Enmclaw. He goes up strong and can finish over bigger defenders. He is a big piece for Enumclaw.
#8 Sunnyside
19-3 Columbia Basin Big-Nine
Team Summary– In coach Bruce Siebol’s first year at Sunnyside they are 19-3 with notable wins against Coeur d’Alene, and Kamiakin. Sunnysides only 3 losses come from Davis, twice in the regular season and once in the Distinct championship. Sunnyside is carried by its two gaurds Trey Sanchez, and Art Palacios. Palacios is a true point guard and Trey Sanchez is a scoring machine. This will be Sunnysides first State appearance in over 20 years. Sunnyside will play Gonzaga prep on Friday, February 23rd at University High School at 6pm.
Players to Watch
#3 Art Palacios- 5’10 Senior PG. Palacios has maybe the best vision in the state when it comes to passing the ball. He is a true point guard. He pushes the ball in transition and sees the floor very well. He is a little undersized but he makes up for it with his basketball IQ and his ability to knock down the 3 point shot. Earlier this year Palacios had a game where he was one steal away from a quadruple double.
#2 Trey Sanchez- 5’11 Senior G. Sanchez has a great 3 point shot and is skilled at attacking and changing lanes when the defender cuts him off. Sanchez scored 32 points against Davis in the district championship. Sanchez can post major numbers. Sanchez was first team Columbia Basin Big 9.
Gus Conteras– 6’6 Senior C. Conteras does a great job of rebounding the basketball and bangs down low for the Grizzles. He gets points off of offensive rebounds and put backs. He is a solid defender down low for the Grizzles.