Ranked No. 7 nationally, Rainier Beach holds the top spot in Washington with an elite transfer adding to a core group of established talent.
Photo by Jeff Napier
1. Rainier Beach (Seattle)Head coach: Mike Bethea
2011-12 finish: 27-3, Class 3A state champions
Beach's
title defense received a huge boost with the addition of Southern
California transfer
Shaqquan Aaron, a 6-foot-7 shooting guard regarded
as one of the nation's elite Class of 2014 talents. The Vikings were
loaded even before Aaron's arrival with returning state tournament MVP
MarQuis Davis (5-9, Sr., G),
Djuan Piper (6-6, Sr., G/F),
Fuquan Niles
(6-9, Sr., C) and
Elijah Foster (6-6, Jr., F/C). Rainier Beach — which entered the season
ranked No. 7 nationally and is seeking its seventh state
title since 1988 — will participate in the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in
December.
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings2. BothellHead coach: Ron Bollinger
2011-12 finish: 17-11, Class 4A state tournament qualifier
A
year ago the Cougars featured one of the state's top backcourts in
Zach LaVine and
Pierre Callandret, but lacked the supporting cast to make
them a legitimate contender. LaVine (6-3, 165, G), a UCLA verbal
commit, and Callandret got some help over the summer with the
addition of Seattle Prep transfer
Josh Martin, a 6-8 forward with an
offer in hand from the Washington Huskies. LaVine averaged more than 23
points per game in 2010-11 and is the state's top prospect. He blossomed
over the summer and could help bring Bothell — a school known more for
football success in recent years — its first state title since 1927.
View all of our Washington boys basketball photo galleries3. Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma)Head coach: Bernie Salazar
2011-12 finish: 23-5, Class 4A state semifinalist
The
Lions return the bulk of a team that was a game away from playing for
the state title last winter, including Gonzaga verbal commit
Lucas Meikle. The 6-7 wing will be joined by fellow seniors
Isaiah Flynn
(5-11, Sr., G),
Sefo Liufau (6-3, Sr., F) — a star quarterback committed
to Colorado — and coach's son
Jacob Salazar (5-11, Jr., G) to give Prep
plenty of firepower.
Mar'kese Jackson (6-3, Jr., G) should also see an
increased role.
View last season's Washington boys basketball stat leaders4. Federal WayHead coach: Jerome Collins
2012-13 finish: 16-10
Are
the young Eagles ready to fly or still a year away from contender
status? The Feds featured nine sophomores and freshmen on the roster a
year ago and never quite got over the hump against the state's elite.
Brothers
D'Londo Tucker (6-0, Sr., G) and
DeeShawn Tucker (6-0, Jr., G) are
back to man the backcourt, while
Brayon Blake (6-5, Jr., F) and
Deonte Anderson (6-5, Jr., F) give the Eagles a pair of athletic, versatile big
bodies.
View last season's Washington boys basketball Freeman Rankings5. Lincoln (Tacoma)Head coach: Aubrey Shelton
2012-13 finish: 18-8
Shelton
is one of Washington's top young coaches and may have his best team
after averaging nearly 20 wins per season dating back to 2007-08. Senior
Tre'Shaun Fletcher (6-6, Sr., G/F) earned second team All-State honors
(all classifications) as a junior, posting over 18 points and 11
rebounds per game. Arizona State and Washington State were
courting the star wing, but he committed to Colorado in September. Previously known as Tre'Shaun Lexing, Fletcher changed his name to honor his mother, Bobby Fletcher. He will be joined this winter by Clover Park
(Lakewood) transfer
Ahmaad Rorie, a 6-0 junior point guard already
committed to California. Rorie averaged 33.7 points per game at the
Class 2A state tournament as a sophomore. The Abes also will receive a
boost from Mount Rainier (Des Moines) transfer
Caden Rowland (6-4, Sr.,
G).
View last season's Washington boys basketball playoff brackets
