SBLive 2023-24 preseason Class 3A Washington high school boys basketball rankings
Based on conversations with coaches and statewide media, SBLive ranked the top 10 teams across the state of Washington in Class 3A boys basketball heading into the 2023-24 season:
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CLASS 3A BOYS RANKINGS
Photo by Steve Faber
1. GARFIELD
Junior guard Legend Smiley, one of the top class-of-2025 recruits in the nation, is back for the defending champion Bulldogs lineup was bolstered by Renton transfer Ajayi Simmons (17.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg last season for the Red Hawks) as well.
2. EASTSIDE CATHOLIC
Virginia signee Jacob Cofie, the state’s top-ranked recruit and arguably the toughest matchup in Washington, and fellow 6-foot-10 post Yeabsera Aklog give the Crusaders the state’s most imposing front line.
3. MOUNT SPOKANE
All-state guard Ryan Lafferty returns alongside fellow 6-foot-5 senior Andrew Reymont to lead the Wildcats, who sat atop the 4A/3A Greater Spokane League last season with a 9-0 record, finishing third at state a year ago.
4. RAINIER BEACH
Junior wing Kaden Powers (6-foot-5) will try to get the Vikings back to the trophy round, which they missed last year for the first time in more than a decade - and don't forget guard Nyale Robinson is back on familiar grounds.
5. O'DEA
Graduations, the transfer of bouncy forward Miles Goodman to a California prep school and the early-season loss of point guard Noel Davis (knee) are impactful, but coach Jason Kerr knows how to adjust and get Irish rolling.
6. AUBURN
3A NPSL player of the year Jaylen Petty (knee) is back to lead the show for the 2022 state champions, who reached the state semifinals a year ago. Trojans aren't tall, but its ability to pressure and Petty's scoring ability should carry them far.
7. BELLEVUE
Coming off its first 20-win season since 2016-17, the reigning 3A KingCo champions have plenty of length (Kenyan Jackman-Thomas, Hogan Hansen, Marco Varani) and star-in-the-future guard Jimmie "Tripp" Haywood.
8. ARLINGTON
Fresh off stellar football run, point guard Leyton Martin returns to lead Eagles, the defending 3A Wesco champions who knocked 4A contender Camas on the first weekend of the season.
9. KELSO
The Hilanders have 6-foot-6 Payton Stewart in the post and 5-11 junior Hayden Yore running the show for the 3A GSHL runners-up, who beat reigning 2A state runner-up Mark Morris to open the season.
10. MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
3A Wesco co-champs graduated just three players off their roster, and return guard Jaxon Dubiel and wing Zaveon Jones (also all-state running back), who are ranked among the state’s top seniors.
First four out: North Central, Stadium, Mount Vernon, Timberline.
