SBLive 2023-24 preseason Class 1B Washington high school boys basketball rankings

Last season, DeSales took third place for its state basketball trophy - and is aiming for more; defending champ Wellpinit again should be a factor

Based on conversations with coaches and statewide media, SBLive ranked the top 10 teams across the state of Washington in Class 1B boys basketball heading into the 2023-24 season:

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CLASS 1B RANKINGS

Photo by Tommy Wolf

1. DESALES

Last winter’s third-place finishers graduated just two players and again figure to be playing on the final Saturday after earning their first basketball hardware.

2. WELLPINIT

Redskins battled their way to the program’s first state championship last winter in just its second trip to the state tournament - and have nearly half of its scoring returning.

3. SOUND CHRISTIAN

The Lions didn’t have a senior on last year’s state-qualifying team with all three of its double-digit scorers back in junior Mekai Resseau, sophomore Kona Resseao and senior David Messler.

4. CUSICK

1B Northeast North MVP and all-state pick Bode Seymour returns for the defending league champion Panthers, who won the 2022 state title but fell short of the trophy round last winter.

5. MOSSYROCK

All-state first-teamer Zack Munoz returns for the Vikings, who will again be tested in the Columbia Valley League against the likes of Naselle and Willapa Valley after taking fourth place last state last year.

6. SUNNYSIDE CHRISTIAN

State runners-up have longtime assistant Ben Anderson now leading the way after Hall of Famer Dean Wagenaar retired - and has all-leaguer Buddy Smeenk back for perennial contenders.

7. LUMMI NATION

The Blackhawks graduated four players, but the 1B Northwest co-champions will try to return to the trophy round with 5-foot-7 standout point guard Jerome Toby leading the way.

8. RIVERSIDE CHRISTIAN

1B Central Washington player of the year Joel Belaine graduated but the Crusaders have Haydn Edwards and Micah Morgan as they pursue their first state hardware since 2008.

9. SUMMIT CLASSICAL

The Archers were on target much of last year, winning 20 games and making the state tournament for the first time with a roster heavy on juniors and sophomores.

10. SOAP LAKE

After struggling down the stretch in the 1B Central Washington a season ago, the Eagles didn’t graduate any player from last year’s team and are off to a strong start.

First four out: Willapa Valley, Tekoa-Rosalia, Orcas Island, Willapa Valley.

(Featured photo by Tommy Wolf/LitMedia Productions)