3 Takeaways from the 2A State Tournament
The 2a state championship is over and Lynden Lions are the new 2A state champions. Over the course of four days there are a few things that got my attention.
1. Lynden breeds basketball players.
Lynden is the 2a state champions beating WF West in the championship game but their not the only team in Lynden to win a state championship. Both the Lynden Christian boys, and girls team won the 1A state championship and the Lynden girls finished 6th place respectively.
The Lynden will only be graduating 2 players next year and their two leading players are only Juniors, 6’5 athletic Forward Clayton Whitman, and 6’4 sniper Christian Zamora. Lynden will be returning 11 juniors next year and they are poised for another state championship run.
2. Anyone can beat anyone in the state playoffs.
#8 seed WF West had two upsets in a row to make the championship game against Lynden. Lead by 6’4 Senior Jordan Thomas and 6’8 Senior Brandon White, WF West’s length really bothered the defending championions, the Foss Falcons, and last years runner up the Selah Vikings. WF West came into the tournament at 21-4.
3. The 2A was stacked with high level players this year.
Watching games throughout the we weekend I couldn’t help but notice the abundance of high level talent at the 4A level this Year. Mountlake Terrace’s 6’4 Senior Khyree Armstead is a high flying athletic wing who is capable of having a highlight dunk any time he touches the ball. Renton was a quick high pressure team lead by 5’11 Senior Jaloni Garner and 6’4 Senior Malik Coats. The Mark Morris twins Tyler Berger, and Garret Berger are both 6’5 Seniors who can handle the ball , shoot over the top of players, and post up smaller defenders. Liberty had a few comeback wins in the tournament and their 5’9 PG Nick Chung ran the show for the Patriots. He handles pressure well, can score, and made the right decision when breaking down the defense. Selah has one of the best player at the 2A level and maybe even the state in 6’4 Senior guard Elijah Pepper who has already received division 1 offers. Selah isnt a one man show 5’10 Junior gaurd Calvin Herting, 6’2 Senior forward Zac Denato, and younger brother 6’3 Freshman Wing Noah Pepper all play key roles to the Viking year long success. The defending champions Foss Falcons brought back an althletic, long, talented team to Sun Dome this year. Lead by 6’1 Senior Demetruis Crosby. Crosby is a strong guard who pressures the ball, and attacks the basket very well. 6’1 Junior guard Micah Pollard is a simular player another tough gaurd who can pressure the ball and knock down the jump shot.
Overall the 2A tournament was a very competitive tournament with a lot of high level players.