**League Title Races Taking Shape: Top Teams and Players to Watch in Washington High School Basketball**
The 2023-24 high school basketball season is underway in Washington, with league title races developing across the South Sound. Here is a breakdown of the top teams and players to keep an eye on this winter.
**LEAGUE PREVIEWS**
**4A NPSL:** Tahoma looks poised to have a strong season with the return of first-team all-league selections Adam Davis and Dalton Brown. Both 6-foot-6 forwards are averaging double digits scoring, with Brown averaging 22.5 points per game. The Bears have made back-to-back state tournament appearances and have only suffered one in-state loss so far this season. Federal Way and Kentwood are also contenders in the 4A NPSL.
**4A SPSL:** With turnover from last year’s state championship game participants, Curtis and Olympia, the 4A SPSL appears to be more wide open this year. Keep an eye on sharpshooting Devin Whitten for Curtis and Isaiah Sonntag for Puyallup.
**3A NPSL:** Defending league champion Auburn has dominated the 3A NPSL since joining the classification. Led by the reigning league MVP Jaylen Petty, the Trojans have started the season with a 4-0 record in league play and are looking to defend their titles.
**3A PCL:** Lincoln is the defending league champion in the 3A PCL and is led by senior forward Omarion Boston. Stadium, another strong contender, defeated Lincoln last season and is aiming for the top spot this year.
**3A SSC:** North Thurston is making waves in the 3A SSC this season, led by 6-foot-7 double-double machine Ray Adams. Gig Harbor and Timberline, the usual contenders, will also be in the mix for the league title.
**2A SPSL:** White River is on a nine-game winning streak and is the team to beat in the 2A SPSL. Colin Schmidtke, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, leads the Hornets. Enumclaw, the defending champion, will be a tough challenger.
**2A EvCo:** Tumwater and W.F. West are expected to battle it out for the top spot in the 2A EvCo. Both teams have talented players to watch, including Tyler Klatush for W.F. West and Clay Morgan for Tumwater.
**1A/2B/1B:** Annie Wright returns a strong core group of players and is expected to contend at the state level. Tenino leads the way in the 1A Evergreen Conference behind junior guard Noah Schow. Chief Leschi and Auburn Adventist are returning state qualifiers in the 2B classification. Sound Christian and Muckleshoot Tribal also have strong teams this season.
**25 PLAYERS TO WATCH**
– Ray Adams, North Thurston
– Dalton Brown, Tahoma
– Javon Barbee, Franklin Pierce
– Caleb Berry, Todd Beamer
– Omarion Boston, Lincoln
– Adam Davis, Tahoma
– Donovan Gill, Stadium
– Jeremiah Harshman, Annie Wright
– Cooper Hartley, Sumner
– Martin Kaupanger, Annie Wright
– Matt Lindblom, Olympia
– Zach Luz, Mount Rainier
– Jamaize McGriff, Emerald Ridge
– Keandre Morris, Curtis
– Kofi Peyton, Federal Way
– Jaylen Petty, Auburn
– Baaroc Rivers, Stadium
– Colin Schmidtke, White River
– Noah Schow, Tenino
– Kenyon Simmons, Timberline
– Isaiah Sonntag, Puyallup
– Brandon Tagle, Kentwood
– Luvens Valcin, Auburn
– Treyshawn Weatherspoon, Rogers
– Devin Whitten, Curtis
These players will be ones to watch throughout the season as they showcase their skills and impact their teams’ success.
– Author: Lauren Smith
– Author: Jon Manley
