4A Boys State Basketball Preview

Published 2:52 pm Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Thursday’s Quarterfinals

Curtis vs. Central Valley, 3:45 p.m.

Kentwood vs. Issaquah, 5:30 p.m.

Lewis and Clark vs. Federal Way, 7:15 p.m.

Union vs. Gonzaga Prep, 9 p.m.

The Favorite

Federal Way. The undefeated and defending state champion Eagles have been atop the Associated Press state poll all season and are the overwhelming favorites to repeat as champions.

The Dark Horse

Issaquah. The sixth-ranked Eagles have lost just three games this season and are on the opposite side of the bracket from Federal Way. They have a winnable quarterfinal game against Kentwood, which likely will be followed by a difficult semifinal game against Curtis, which was tied for second in the final AP poll of the season. The Eagles are used to playing at this time of the year and are more than capable of challenging for the championship.

Did you know?

Three of the top four teams in the state — No. 1-ranked Federal Way, Gonzaga Prep (tied for second) and Union (fourth) — are on the same side of the bracket.

Player to watch

Jalen McDaniels, center, Federal Way. The 6-foot-10 senior, who has signed an NCAA letter of intent with San Diego State, averages 14.3 points per game and is the leading scorer on a team that has three players averaging at least 12 points per game. McDaniels is the driving force behind the Eagles’ efforts to repeat as champions.

Game we want to see

Federal Way vs. Gonzaga Prep. The two likely will meet in the semifinals, and since they play on opposite sides of the state, they aren’t overly familiar with each other. That should make for an interesting matchup.

Prediction

The experience and athleticism of Federal Way will be too much for the other seven teams to handle. The Eagles will get past Lewis and Clark in the quarterfinals, Gonzaga Prep in the semis and defend their championship on Saturday night with a win over Curtis