The Favorites:
Ferris Saxons (25-0)
The Spokane school rolled through the regular season with a perfect record for the second year in a row and is the defending Class 4A champion. The team’s last loss came during the 2005-06 season. Most of Ferris’ wins have come in the blowout variety. The Saxons are beating teams by 20 points a game. They are led by seniors Shawn Stockton, Jared Karstetter and DeAngelo Castro. Stockton is a 6-1 guard and the nephew of Hall of Famer John Stockton. Castro is a 6-foot-8 beast who poses problems for any team. The No. 1-ranked Saxons open with Garfield.
Franklin Quakers (21-2)
The Quakers spent the entire season as either the No. 1- or No. 2-ranked team in the state of Washington. Franklin’s two losses came early in the season to a pair of California foes at a San Diego holiday tournament — Dominguez and Gahr. Since then, the Quakers have won 14 straight games and have four players averaging in double figures. They are led by 6-foot-1 junior Peyton Siva, who is averaging 19.5 points a game. The Quakers have won two of the past five state championships and take on Federal Way in the opening round today.
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The Second Tier:
Kentridge Chargers (21-5)
The Chargers are tournament tested and know what to expect at state. Kentridge lost in the state championship game last season to Ferris and returns a bulk of the players from that team, including leading-scorer Renado Parker (21.9 points a game). The Chargers won the No. 1-seed from the South Puget Sound League before losing to Lincoln in the semifinals of the West Central District Tournament.
Lincoln Abes (22-4)
The Abes are definitely the hottest team in the South Sound. Lincoln rolled to the West Central District championship by beating Kentridge and Bellarmine Prep in the final two rounds. The Abes might have the deepest team in the state and have a rotation of 10 players. Royal Tee Lexing led Lincoln with 20 points in their district title win over Bellarmine Saturday. Center Dom Faga’autau had 18 during the win.
Bellarmine Prep Lions (22-3)
The Lions were upset in the West Central District championship game by Lincoln last weekend. Bellarmine won the Narrows League title and feature two of the best juniors in the state — guards Avery Bradley and the University of Arizona-bound Abdul Gaddy. Both are averaging around 25 points a game and helped beat Decatur in the district quarterfinals. The Lions open against Richland.
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On the Cusp:
Snohomish Panthers (20-3)
The Panthers won the WesCo Conference title and the Northwest District championship and feature one of the tallest teams in the state. Snohomish starts four players 6-foot-4 or taller and is led in scoring by Zach Wilde at 15.7 points a game.
Decatur Gators (20-6)
The Gators are making their second-straight appearance at the Class 4A tournament and will play the Snohomish Panthers for the second year in a row at 9 a.m. The Gators are led by the threesome of Marcus Tibbs, Michael Hale and Darious Walker. All three average more than 14 points a game, with Tibbs leading the way at 18.5. Decatur beat Gig Harbor in a winner-to-state, loser-out game last week at the district tournament.
Shadle Park Highlanders (21-4)
The Highlanders would be undefeated had it not been for the Ferris Saxons. All four of Shadle Park’s losses have been to No. 1-ranked Ferris, including a five-point loss to the Saxons in the district championship game on Saturday in overtime. Shadle Park is led by Zack Humphrey and Anthony Brown.
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Could surprise:
Federal Way Eagles (18-6)
The Eagles won three loser-out games at district to qualify for state, including a win over Kentwood on Thursday. Senior Aaron Broussard, who’ll play at Seattle University in the fall, leads the Eagles in scoring and rebounding. Federal Way has also had solid contributions from guards Jeff Forbes, Andre Barrington and Isiah Umipig and post Cole Dickerson.
Prairie Falcons (14-7)
The Falcons won the Greater St. Helen’s League and will be making their fourth consecutive appearance at the state tournament. They are led by seniors Jeff Dorman, Kevan West and Michael Hamberg.
Garfield Bulldogs (17-7)
The Bulldogs feature the best freshman in the nation in 6-5 point guard Tony Wroten. Garfield lost to Franklin, 58-55, in the Sea-King District Championship game.
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Long Shots:
Richland (18-8)
Mariner (18-6)
Mountain View (17-7)
Foss (15-11)
Edmonds-Woodway (19-4)
