Boys basketball preview: 5 to watch

Zach Hatch

Glacier Peak | Guard

Hatch, a senior, burst onto the scene as a junior, earning second-team All-Wesco 3A South honors and helping the Grizzlies advance to the 3A state regionals, where they were eliminated by Garfield. Hatch averaged 13 points per game and shot 33 percent from 3-point range.

“He has confidence,” Glacier Peak head coach Brian Hunter said. “For us, it’s one thing to want to take the big shot and it’s another thing to make the big shot and he does have a knack and a tendency to make big shots. … He keeps teams honest. You have to pay attention to him because of what we do in our sets. He requires teams to adjust what they do and maintain their focus on him, which frees up other guys to do some of the things we want them to be able to do from a scoring standpoint.”

Kevin Villalobos

Mariner | Guard

Villalobos, a senior, was a first-team All-Wesco 4A selection last season when he averaged 21 points per game.

He’s one of the reasons several coaches in the league say the Marauders are capable of making a playoff run this season.

“He’s a great scorer and a tremendous leader for us,” Mariner coach Dexter Griffen said. “He is dangerous off the dribble and is a legit 3-point shooter. Our goal remains the same as it always has been: to make the playoffs and win championships.“

“Kevin is a player that can help us reach our goals.”

Corey Kispert

King’s | Guard-Forward

Kispert, a junior, is just halfway through his career at King’s and already he’s accomplished much. He led the Knights to the Class 1A state championship last season, averaging 18.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and two assists per game. He shot 48 percent from 3-point range and 61 percent on shots inside the 3-point arc.

“Corey is a special talent,” King’s head coach Rick Skeen said. “He’s such a pleasure to coach and he’s our most talented player and hardest-working player. He is a tremendous student and tremendous teammate. He’s extremely humble and prefers to stay out of the spotlight. He’s a tremendous leader who leads by example, but is also starting to become more vocal. With our team losing eight seniors from last year, this is his time to step up and take over.”

Bryce Juneau

Marysville Pilchuck | Guard

Juneau, a senior, is entering his third season as the starting point guard for the Tomahawks. He averaged 12 points and 4.5 assists per game last season, earned second-team All-Wesco 3A North honors and helped the Tomahawks advance to the 3A state tournament.

“He is a one-man press breaker with great court vision and seems to always come up big when we need a shot, though he is constantly looking for his teammates above his own scoring,” Marysville Pilchuck head coach Bary Gould said. “His free-throw shooting has improved immensely from his sophomore to his junior years, which was very good for him, and us, due to his incredible ability to get to the rim and draw fouls. We’re looking for him to be one of our leaders this year.”

Sam Saufferer

Jackson | Guard

Saufferer, a senior, averaged 16 points and shot better than 45 percent from 3-point range last season when he helped lead the Timberwolves to the Class 4A state regionals. A first-team All-Wesco 4A selection last season, Saufferer provides instant offense for a team that has its sights set on reaching the state quarterfinals in Tacoma.

“One of the best shooters around, without question,” Jackson coach Steve Johnson said. “This year he’s added some strength and muscle, which will go nicely with the areas of his game that he strives to improve in. Sam is capable of increasing his scoring load, in part by his improved ability to drive and take contact near the rim. He’s also gotten quicker, which should lead to more scoring opportunities in space during transition.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.