Semifinalists
Decatur, Franklin, Ferris, Bellarmine Prep
Championship
Ferris 59, Franklin 57
Dark horse
Prairie
Inside the number
54 — consecutive games won by top-ranked Ferris
Must-see first-round game:
Garfield (17-7) vs. Ferris (25-0), 5 p.m. Wednesday
Why? Ferris, the defending champion, starts off against the young, speedy Bulldogs, led by high-profile freshman guard Tony Wroten. Can the 6-foot-5 youngster lead Garfield to an upset of the tourney’s top-ranked, senior-loaded squad?
5 BOYS TO WATCH
Abdul Gaddy, Jr.
Bellarmine Prep; 6-3, guard
Unbeaten Ferris might have the best team in the state, but Bellarmine undoubtedly has the most prolific guard combo. Gaddy, verbally committed to the University of Arizona, averages 24 points per game, one less than his backcourt teammate, junior Avery Bradley. Gaddy also tallies six rebounds and five assists per contest, and he enters the state tourney on a roll. He scored a game-high 26 points Saturday in third-ranked Bellarmine’s District 3-championship victory over Lincoln.
Peyton Siva, Jr.
Franklin; 6-1, guard
The quick, explosive standout is a three-year starter ranked, according to Scout.com, No. 5 among the country’s Class of 2009 point guards. He wowed Tacoma Dome crowds last year, and this season he’s helped Franklin go unbeaten against in-state competition by averaging 19.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Siva scored a season-high 45 points Dec. 8 in a win over Rainier Beach, the state’s No. 1 3A team.
Marcus Tibbs, Sr.
Decatur; 6-1, guard
One of three Gators players averaging at least 14 points, Tibbs (18.4 points per game) is one of the state’s most consistent scorers. He has had at least 11 points in 25 of Decatur’s 26 games this season and scored 20 or more points 10 times. The South Puget Sound League North Division first-team honoree is known for making big shots late in close games.
Zach Wilde, Sr.
Snohomish; 6-6, forward
No longer in the shadow of former teammates Jon Brockman and Tim Diederichs, Wilde is the undisputed leader of the 2007-2008 Panthers. An unusually skilled passer for a player of his size, Wilde can help Snohomish win without scoring a point. The squad’s leader in scoring, rebounding and assists is making his fourth consecutive state-tournament appearance. “Going to state is (always) good,” Snohomish coach Len Bone said, “but going to state your senior year maybe has a little bit extra excitement.”
Tony Wroten, Fr.
Garfield; 6-5, guard
How will the heavily publicized Wroten, the country’s No. 1 freshman according to Hoop Scoop Online, perform in his state-tourney debut? It’s one of the most intriguing questions heading into Wednesday’s first round. Wroten (21.1 points per game) can score, but he also averages about four assists and nine rebounds. Garfield coach Dan Finkley said Wroten has “unbelievable confidence,” which should help Wroten deal with nerves this week.
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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