4A Boys Team Capsules

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Federal Way Eagles

Location: Federal Way

Record: 23-2

Coach: Jerome Collins (26th year)

Key players: F Cole Dickerson, 6-7, Sr., 26 points per game; PG Isiah Umipig, 6-0, Sr., 7 assists per game; F Robert Christopher, 6-5, Sr., 11 rebounds per game.

Inside look: The defending champs are determined to repeat, entering the tourney looking to make a statement after frustrating playoff loss to Lincoln.

Gonzaga Prep Bullpups

Location: Spokane

Record: 23-2

Coach: Matty McIntyre (1st year)

Key players: C Ryan Nicholas, 6-7, Sr., 23 ppg; G Parker Kelly, 6-4, Jr., 14 ppg; G Chris Sarbaugh, 6-3, Jr., 9 ppg.

Inside look: Led by University of Portland-bound Nicholas, the Bullpups are one of just a pair of two-loss teams heading to Tacoma.

Contenders

Kentwood Conquerors

Location: Covington

Record: 16-10

Coach: Michael Angelidis (4th year)

Key players: C Joshua Smith, 6-9, Sr., 17.9 ppg; G Tre Tyler, 6-2, Sr., 11 ppg; Jason Boyce, 6-4, Jr., 9.3 ppg.

Inside look: The Conks are one of the state's hottest teams, winning 10 of 12. With Smith at full strength, Kentwood is a title contender.

Lincoln Abes

Location: Tacoma

Record: 18-7

Coach: Aubrey Shelton (3rd year)

Key players: PG Jordan Russell, 5-10, Jr., 14 ppg; G Denzel Dansby, 6-0, Sr., 8 ppg; G Terrell Lewis, 5-11, Jr., 8 ppg.

Inside look: After starting the season 8-7, the Abes ripped off 10 straight wins, including a victory over Federal Way in the West Central District title game.

Jackson Timberwolves

Location: Mill Creek

Record: 20-4

Coach: Steve Johnson (8th year)

Key players: G Brett Kingma, 6-2, Jr., 25.1 ppg; G Ryan Todd, 6-3, Sr., 14.2 ppg; G Marshall Massengale, 6-0, Sr., 12.3 ppg.

Inside look: The Timberwolves struggled a bit late in the season, then pulled together. Led by Kingma, Jackson might be the most explosive offensive team in the tournament.

Walla Walla Blue Devils

Location: Walla Walla

Record: 22-5

Coach: John Golden (5th year)

Key players: G Gary Winston, 6-0, Sr., 23 ppg; G Michael Weisner, 6-7, Sr., 17.7 ppg.

Inside look: Blue Devils boast one of the most talented backcourts in the state in University of Idaho-bound Winston and Weisner, who is going to Montana.

Skyline Spartans

Location: Sammamish

Record: 20-3

Coach: J. Jay Davis (3rd year)

Key players: F Cory Hutsen, 6-9, Sr., 15.7 ppg; F Kasen Williams, 6-4, Jr., 9.3 ppg; G Connor Gacek, 6-3, Sr., 8.4 ppg.

Inside look: KingCo champs are good on the perimeter and in the paint. It helps to have an athlete like Williams to throw down momentum-changing dunks.

Decatur Gators

Location: Federal Way

Record: 17-9

Coach: Kevin Olson (10th year)

Key players: F Jordan McCloud, 6-6, Sr., 11.7 rpg; G Jerron Smith, 6-4, Jr., 21.4 ppg.

Inside look: Decatur struggled at times, but won big games, including a matchup with Stanwood in December and a playoff game vs. Kentwood.

Might surprise

Lake Washington Kangaroos

Location: Kirkland

Record: 17-7

Coach: Barry Johnson (1st year)

Key players: F Ryan Guisness, 6-6, Sr., 10 rpg; G Dallas Searles, 6-2, Sr., 11.3 ppg; G Matt Staudacher, 6-0, So., 4.9 apg.

Inside look: In just one season, Johnson took the Kangs from the bottom of the KingCo 4A Crown to the league championship game. LW brings a mix of young talent and veteran leadership.

Lake Stevens Vikings

Location: Lake Stevens

Record: 18-5

Coach: Mark Hein (7th year)

Key players: F Shane Kaska, 6-3, Sr., 20.4 ppg; G Aaron Maw, 6-2, Sr., 13.8 ppg; F Arvid Isaksen, 6-2, Sr., 11 ppg.

Inside look: The Vikings might be the most confident team in the state right now after rallying from a 19-0 hole to beat Jackson in the district tournament.

Stanwood Spartans

Location: Stanwood

Record: 16-7

Coach: Zach Ward (3rd year)

Key players: F Zack Johnson, 6-4, Sr., 17.4 ppg; G Kale Schmidt, 6-3, Sr., 16.6 ppg; G Drew Haugstad, 5-11, Sr., 14.5 ppg.

Inside look: Before falling to Lake Stevens in the district title game, the Spartans reeled off 13 straight wins. They are led by a talented senior trio.

Auburn Trojans

Location: Auburn

Record: 16-9

Coach: Ryan Hansen (8th year)

Key players: F Iszia Johnson, 6-3, Jr., 15.7 ppg; G Kevin Henderson, 6-3, Jr., 21.1 ppg.

Inside look: The Trojans played through tough loser-out matchups to get in and knocked off Mead in a close game earlier this season.

Mead Panthers

Location: Spokane

Record: 19-6

Coach: Glenn Williams (11th year)

Key players: PG Brendon Myers, 5-7, Sr., 9 ppg; F Aaron Dunn, 6-6, Sr., 17 ppg.

Inside look: Consider the Panthers giant-killers this season. Well, at least when they play Gonzaga Prep, beating the Bullpups twice.

Long shots

Davis Pirates

Location: Yakima

Record: 20-7

Coach: Eli Juarez (5th year)

Key players: G David Trimble, 6-1, So., 14.7 ppg; F Davonte Luckett, 6-1, So., 8.7 rpg; G Noel Lopez, 5-9, Sr., 3.1 steals per game.

Inside look: Davis defeated second-ranked Richland in a loser-out game. The Pirates' top two scorers are sophomores.

Eastlake Wolves

Location: Sammamish

Record: 17-8

Coach: Pat Bangasser (3rd year)

Key players: G/F Michael Russo, 6-5, Sr., 21.5 ppg; G Dillon Pericin, 5-10, Sr., 11.6 ppg.

Inside look: The Wolves boast one of the most talented scorers in the state. Russo has scored at least 20 points in 10 of the past 12 games.

Wilson Rams

Location: Tacoma

Record: 18-8

Coach: Dave Alwert (2nd year)

Key players: G Demetrius Smith, 6-1, Sr., 13.5 ppg; G Mikey Hope, 6-0, Sr., 13.5 ppg.

Inside look: The Rams opened the district tournament with two wins before falling to Federal Way in the semis.

Mason Kelley