Editor’s note: The Player of the Year and All-Area teams were chosen by The Herald sports staff based on coach recommendations, season statistics and first-hand observations.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sylas Williams, sr., F, Jackson
Click here for the player of the year story on Williams.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Nick Brown, Arlington
Brown led Arlington to a 19-6 regular-season record while going 13-2 in league play. After losing their lone all-leaguer in Ethan Martin to graduation in 2022, the Eagles won the Wesco 3A/2A league title and finished second at districts, booking a trip to the Hardwood Classic.
FIRST TEAM
Sylas Williams, sr., F, Jackson
Williams averaged 23 points, 14 rebounds and three assists per game while connecting on 47% of his 3-pointers, leading Jackson to a 17-5 regular-season record and a shared league title. He earned Wesco 4A Co-MVP honors and was named first-team All-Wesco for the second straight year. He posted 1,000-plus points and 500-plus rebounds in his three-year varsity career.
- Related
Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Jenna VillaMar 29, 2023
The Herald’s 2022-23 All-Area girls basketball teamsMar 29, 2023
Boys Basketball Players of the Year: Sylas WilliamsMar 30, 2023
Jackson’s Sylas Williams. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Josiah Pierre, sr., F/G, Kamiak
Pierre scored 27.4 points per game as a senior, adding 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists with one steal and one block per outing. He shot 57.8% from field and 48.3% from 3-point land, as well as 79% from free-throw line. He was a two-time All-Wesco 4A first-team pick.
Kamiak’s Josiah Pierre. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Zaveon Jones, jr., F, Mountlake Terrace
Jones made the Hardwood Classic all-tournament team for the second consecutive year and helped lead Terrace to its second district championship in a row. The junior averaged a double-double with 13.5 points and 11 boards per game, earning first-team All-Wesco 3A/2A honors. He was a second-team All-Wesco choice in 2022.
Mountlake’s Zaveon Jones. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
David Zachman, sr., F, Arlington
Zachman posted 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks per game as he helped lead Arlington to a Wesco 3A/2A regular-season title and a state tournament berth. The Eagles went 19-6 overall and 13-2 in league play. He was named first-team all-league and was the second-leading vote-getter in the 3A/2A division by the league’s coaches.
Arlington’s David Zachman. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parker Baumann, sr., G/F, Shorecrest
The Wesco 3A/2A league MVP put up 24 points per game with 10 rebounds, five assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks on 55% shooting during his senior season. He also shot 40% from 3 on the year as he helped guide Shorecrest to a Hardwood Classic appearance, making the all-tournament team with 21.6 points and 11.3 boards in his games at the Tacoma Dome. He was a two-time first-team All-Wesco nominee, scoring over 1,000 points in his career.
Shorecrest’s Parker Baumann. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Makai Bloomfield, sr., G, Mariner
Bloomfield earned Co-MVP honors in Wesco 4A with 25-point, six-rebound per game numbers, helping Mariner to its second straight state tournament berth. The Marauders finished 16-9 overall and 6-2 in league, earning a shared league title after winning the league outright in 2022.
Mariner’s Makai Bloomfield. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
SECOND TEAM
Jailin Johnson, sr., G, Mariner
The first-team All-Wesco 4A pick put up 22 points, four assists and 2.9 steals per game for Mariner as the Marauders made it to the Hardwood Classic for the second straight season. Johnson helped Mariner to two straight league titles.
Mariner’s Jailin Johnson. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Devin Gilbert, sr., F/G, Cascade
Gilbert averaged 21.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game as a senior, tacking on 1.6 steals. He dropped at least 30 points in five games, earning an All-Wesco 3A/2A first-team nod. He was also named to the first-team in 2022.
Cascade’s Devin Gilbert. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Arion ‘Bubba’ Palacol, so., G, Marysville Getchell
Palacol offered up 20.3 points, three rebounds and 2.8 steals per game, helping the Chargers to a program-best 14-6 regular-season mark. The sophomore shot 38% from 3 and 89.6% at the free-throw line, scoring over 500 points on the year. He was named to the All-Wesco 3A/2A first-team after being selected to the second-team as a freshman in 2022.
Marysville Getchell’s Arion Palacol. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Isaiah White, jr., G, Everett
White collected 15.3 points, eight rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game for Everett. The junior combo guard hit on 51% of his shots and 78% from the line, earning a first-team All-Wesco 3A/2A selection as the Seagulls advanced to the state regional round for the first time since 2000.
Everett’s Isaiah White. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jaxon Dubiel, jr., G, Mountlake Terrace
Dubiel notched 16 points per game and was named to the All-Wesco 3A/2A first team. He was a key piece in Terrace’s second straight trip to the Hardwood Classic and helped the Hawks to 19-8 season record and second consecutive district championship.
Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stevie Kuhnle Jr., sr., G, Monroe
Monore’s Steven Kuhnle Jr. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Kuhnle Jr. was a part of one of the Bearcats most successful seasons in recent memory as Monroe finished with a 16-5 overall record. He shot 38% from 3-point range and 84% from the foul line, averaging 16.3 points and 2.2 steals per game. He was named first-team All-Wesco 3A/2A after being selected to the second team as a junior in 2022.
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