Washington (WIAA) 2B high school girls basketball state tournament: 2024 predictions, top players

Colfax comes back as reigning state champion, but it's anybody's guess on who will be lone survivor Saturday night.

Author:
Todd Milles, SBLive Sports
Publish date:
Feb 26, 2024 11:30 PM EST

After four grueling days of basketball at the Spokane Arena this week, somebody will be dancing with the big WIAA gold ball Saturday night.

Colfax returns as the defending state champion, but a host of contending hopefuls are waiting for their shot.

Here are SBLive WA's teams and players to watch, and round-by-round predictions - complete with a championship-game pick.

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Hayden Kaut, Napavine girls basketball, class of 2026 — Photo by Todd Milles

CLASS 2B TOURNAMENT (Bracket)

(Wednesday first-round games in Spokane)

G1: No. 11 Cle Elum-Roslyn (18-7) vs. No. 3 Okanogan (20-4), 9 a.m. (Winner plays No. 4 Colfax at 9 a.m. Thursday)

G2: No. 10 Davenport (16-9) vs. No. 2 Warden (20-5), 10:30 a.m. (Winner plays No. 8 Mabton at 10:30 a.m. Thursday)

G3: No. 12 Toutle Lake (20-6) vs. No. 5 Rainier (22-4), 12:15 p.m. (Winner plays No. 6 Adna at 12:15 p.m. Thursday)

G4: No. 9 Tonasket (21-4) vs. No. 1 Napavine (21-3), 2 p.m. (Winner plays No. 7 Brewster at 2 p.m. Thursday)

Semifinals Friday: 3:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Championship game Saturday: 5:30 p.m.

FAVORITE: Napavine

In all honesty, it's anybody's tournament - but Tigers were awarded top seed after winning the District 4 title. They have everything - ball-handling (Taylen Evander), rebounding (Keira O'Neill) and perimeter scoring (Hayden Kaut).

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Brynn McGaughy, Colfax
Photo by Erik Smith

FAB FIVE

G Jacey Boesel, Okanogan, soph. (18.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 4.5 assists, 5.3 steals)

G Karsyn Freeman, Adna, jr. (24.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 steals)

F Lauryn Madsen, Warden, sr. (23.2 ppg)

G Brynn McGaughy, Colfax, jr. (17.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.0 blocks)

G Esmeralda Sanchez, Mabton, jr. (12.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, 6.5 steals)

PLAYER TO WATCH: Brynn McGaughy, Colfax

Even after being slowed early on by a serious foot injury, one of the nation's top juniors has still posted big outings down the stretch for the defense 2B champions as the state's premier inside-outside playmaking threat.

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