Washington high school (WIAA) 4A boys basketball regionals 2024: Mount Si cleared for takeoff as favorite
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the 2023-24 WIAA Class 4A boys basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch — and game score predictions:
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CLASS 4A BOYS REGIONALS (Bracket)
Photo by Vince Miller
TOP BILLING
4A KingCo and District 1/2 champion Mount Si looks to top state bracket for first time since 2020 - after a runner-up finish in 2022, and fifth-place finish last winter. Guards Trevor Hennig, Blake Forrest and Latt Ford lead the way.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
Weber State-bound guard Trevor Hennig averages 23.1 points per game for the top-seeded Wildcats, and has four 30-plus point performances, including a school-record 44 points against Bellevue.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
Eleventh-seeded Skyview has played a tough schedule, and won three lower-bracket games in a row (including wins over Sumner, Camas) to get to regionals. Streaky-shooting team always in games with physical style of defense.
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Davis' Cesar Hernandez shoots a free throw against Richland in Yakima on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.
Photo by Brenda Hartline-Juarez
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 1 Mount Si (23-2) vs. No. 8 Kentwood (19-6)
8 p.m. Saturday, Issaquah High School
Skinny: Kentwood made impressive run in District 3/4 bracket, but Wildcats do not have an in-state loss, and enter the weekend on 17-game winning streak — including 13 by 20-plus points.
Pick: Mount Si, 70-53.
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No. 2 Tahoma (19-5) vs. No. 7 Richland (20-4)
6 p.m. Saturday, Auburn High School
Skinny: Both 4A/3A MCC champion Bombers and 4A NPSL and District 3/4 champion Bears return talent from last season’s Tacoma Dome teams. Balanced offense should lead Tahoma to quarterfinals.
Pick: Tahoma, 65-61.
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No. 3 Gonzaga Prep (19-5) vs. No. 6 Federal Way (16-6)
6 p.m. Friday, Central Valley High School
Skinny: Schools meeting for sixth time in past eight state brackets, with Gonzaga Prep leading, 3-2, so far in that stretch. District 8 champion Bullpups might have edge again this season, entering week on 10-game winning streak.
Pick: Gonzaga Prep, 65-62.
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No. 4 Glacier Peak (22-2) vs. No. 5 Davis (21-2)
6 p.m. Friday, Shorewood High School
Skinny: Both the Wesco champion Grizzlies and CBBN champion Pirates had lengthy winning streaks snapped in district title games last weekend. Electric guard play — Josiah Lee (Glacier Peak) and Cesar Hernandez (Davis) — on tap.
Pick: Glacier Peak, 72-70.
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Photo by Todd Milles
WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 9 Olympia (18-7) vs. No. 16 Redmond (12-14)
6 p.m. Saturday, Tumwater High School
Skinny: Olympia graduated key pieces from last season’s state runner-up team, but experienced returners, including guards Matt Lindblom, the 4A SPSL South MVP, and Drew Carlson could lead Bears back to Tacoma Dome.
Pick: Olympia, 57-51.
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No. 10 Jackson (16-9) vs. No. 15 Puyallup (16-10)
8 p.m. Friday, Shorewood High School
Skinny: Does guard play, led by Isaiah Sonntag and Drew Jones, pace Puyallup to Tacoma? Or do Timberwolves control the interior and advance, led by 6-7 forward Ryan Mcferran, who averages a double-double?
Pick: Puyallup, 62-59.
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No. 11 Skyview (15-9) vs. No. 14 Woodinville (18-8)
2 p.m. Saturday, Battle Ground High School
Skinny: Might not be a more dangerous scorer in the tournament than springy Storm standout Demaree Collins, who makes buckets in bunches. Falcons have posted key wins down the stretch, too, led by guard Jaiden Blackmon.
Pick: Skyview, 59-56.
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No. 12 West Valley of Yakima (14-7) vs. No. 13 Camas (16-10)
6 p.m. Friday, Davis High School
Skinny: Camas ended West Valley’s season last year at this juncture, but what is in store for the rematch? Lots of Beckett Currie 3-pointers for the Papermakers, who wended Curtis' two-year 4A championship reign in districts.
Pick: Camas, 65-63.
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