Previews of the 4A and 3A Hardwood Classic boys basketball tournaments in the Tacoma Dome (seeds in parentheses):
CLASS 4A
Wednesday’s loser-out games
(3) Union vs. (14) Kamiak, 3:45 p.m.
(2) Skyview vs. (10) Glacier Peak, 5:30 p.m.
(5) Davis vs. (13) Curtis, 7:15 p.m.
(8) Sunnyside vs. (9) Lewis and Clark, 9 p.m.
Thursday’s quarterfinals
(4) Richland vs. Union-Kamiak winner, 3:45 p.m.
(1) Gonzaga Prep vs. Skyview-Glacier Peak winner, 5:30 p.m.
(6) Federal Way vs. Davis-Curtis winner, 7:15 p.m.
(7) Enumclaw vs. Sunnyside-Lewis and Clark winner, 9 p.m.
The favorites
Gonzaga Prep, Richland and Federal Way. The three favorites have a combined two losses this season. Top-seeded Gonzaga Prep (24-0), ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation by both MaxPreps and USA TODAY, allows just 41.3 points per contest and has won all but six games by double digits. Fourth-seeded Richland (23-1), which features 7-foot-3 senior Riley Sorn, suffered its only loss to Gonzaga Prep. Sixth-seeded Federal Way (25-1) averages 81.2 points per game and has scored 100-plus points five times.
The dark horse
Enumclaw. The seventh-seeded Hornets (21-5) allow just 46.6 points per contest and have lost only three games against in-state opponents, with two of those defeats coming to state powerhouse Federal Way. Enumclaw handed Federal Way its only loss of the season, holding the high-scoring Eagles to just 44 points in the 4A West Central District title game. The Hornets have limited Federal Way to an average of 50.7 points in the teams’ three meetings this season — more than 30 below the Eagles’ season average. If both teams win their quarterfinal matchups, the two North Puget Sound League rivals would meet in Friday’s semifinals.
Did you know?
Kamiak beat defending 4A state champion Kentwood in a loser-out state regional game this past Saturday for the program’s first state-tournament win in the school’s 25-year history. Next up for the 14th-seeded Knights is a loser-out game against third-seeded Union, the other participant in last year’s state title game. With a victory, Kamiak would reach the state quarterfinals for the first time in program history.
Player to watch
Anton Watson, Gonzaga Prep. The 6-foot-7 junior forward and Gonzaga University commit averages 22.1 points per game for the unbeaten Bullpups. Watson is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 47 junior prospect in the nation.
Game we wouldn’t miss
Gonzaga Prep vs. Richland. If both teams win their quarterfinal matchups, the two District 8 rivals would meet in Friday’s semifinals. Less than two weeks ago, unbeaten Gonzaga Prep edged Richland 56-53 in the district title game to hand the Bombers their only loss of the season. The Bullpups have beaten Richland four times in the past two seasons, including an 81-80 triple-overtime thriller in last year’s district title game and a seven-point win in last year’s state third-place contest.
Prediction
Gonzaga Prep beats second-seeded Skyview and district rival Richland to reach the state championship game, where the Bullpups slow down high-scoring Federal Way just enough to cap an undefeated season and claim their second state title in program history.
CLASS 3A
Wednesday’s loser-out games
(6) Eastside Catholic vs. (11) Stanwood, 9 a.m.
(2) O’Dea vs. (15) Mt. Spokane, 10:30 a.m.
(5) Timberline vs. (13) Seattle Prep, 12:15 p.m.
(8) Wilson vs. (9) Prairie, 2 p.m.
Thursday’s quarterfinals
(4) Kelso vs. Eastside Catholic-Stanwood winner, 9 a.m.
(1) Garfield vs. O’Dea-Mt. Spokane winner, 10:30 a.m.
(3) Lincoln vs. Timberline-Seattle Prep winner, 12:15 p.m.
(7) Rainier Beach vs. Wilson-Prairie winner, 2 p.m.
The favorite
Garfield. Ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation by both MaxPreps and USA TODAY, the Bulldogs (25-1) average 78.4 points per game and feature a pair of nationally ranked college prospects in junior guard PJ Fuller and 6-foot-8 senior forward J’Raan Brooks. Top-seeded Garfield is coached by former University of Washington standout and three-time NBA All-Star Brandon Roy, who coached Nathan Hale to the state title last season over the runner-up Bulldogs.
The dark horse
Seattle Prep. The 13th-seeded Panthers own postseason wins over Metro League powers Garfield and Rainier Beach, arguably the two most talented teams in the 3A field. After losing to both teams by single digits in the regular season, Seattle Prep (17-10) beat Garfield and Beach to take third place in the 3A SeaKing District tournament. The Panthers are the only team this season to beat nationally ranked Garfield.
Did you know?
Current Metro League teams have won 14 of the past 16 3A state championships. Each of the past six title games have pitted two Metro teams against one another.
Player to watch
Kevin Porter Jr., Rainier Beach. The 6-foot-5 forward and USC signee is ranked by ESPN as the No. 54 senior in the nation. Porter Jr. possesses a smooth left-handed shooting stroke and has showcased his elite athleticism this season with an array of acrobatic dunks.
Game we wouldn’t miss
Garfield vs. Rainier Beach. The two Metro League powers have already met twice this season and could square off a third time in the state championship game. Garfield routed Beach 100-72 during the regular season and later rallied for a 72-68 win over the Vikings (20-6) in the Metro League tournament title game. The two teams have combined for five of the past six 3A state championships, with the Bulldogs also winning a 4A state title during that span.
Prediction
Garfield beats second-seeded O’Dea and sixth-seeded Eastside Catholic to reach the state championship game, where the Bulldogs pull away from seventh-seeded Rainier Beach to win the program’s 14th state title.
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