State Basketball Previews

High school state basketball is right around the corner, here are matchups of every school in South King County that qualified:

4A Boys:

#7 Mount Si @ #2 Auburn

March 1, 6 p.m. at Auburn High School

Last Matchup: N/A

Skinny: In their first year at 4A, the Auburn Trojans wreaked havoc across the state. The Trojans lost just two games all season and just one inside Washington state. The four consecutive district champions are playing some of their best basketball all season after defeating Camas 55-47.

There is also the added storyline of Chase Mentink transferring in the middle of the season to Mount Si and has played for the Wildcats over the past two weeks. How will he react to an already hostile environment, how will Auburn players react. It seems like an interesting aspect to an already highly interesting matchup.

#14 Arlington @ #11 Kentwood

March 1, 2 p.m. at Auburn High School

Last matchup: N/A

Skinny: Kentwood has snuck under the radar a bit in the district tournament. After a brutal loss on the road to Olympia, the Conks methodically marched their way to the state tournament with wins over Kennedy and Sumner. This is the Kentwood window, Corey Tita and Mason St. Louis are a massive part of this team and are commencing their final dance in a Conqueror uniform.

Can the surprise team from last year do it again this year? It starts on a Saturday afternoon against an Arlington team that two straight games and lost to Glacier Peak a team Kentwood beat at a neutral site earlier this season.

4A Girls:

#6 Auburn @ #3 Chiawana

Feb. 28, 8 p.m. at Richland High School

Last Matchup: N/A

Skinny: The Trojans are rolling as they snag the #6 seed in the state tournament. They are in a protected game against the Riverhawks after downing Camas in the district championship. It’s the second straight district title for the Trojans and Head Coach Jessica Hansen in her second season leading the way.

Auburn was an early exit from last years state tournament and with the experience combined with youthful energy, the Trojans are looking to cause some chaos in the state tournament.

3A Boys

#20 Silas @ # 13 Liberty

Feb. 25, 8 p.m. at Liberty High School

Last Matchup: N/A

Skinny: Liberty takes on Silas the surprise team out of District 3 who was seeded as the 14th team in that tournament. The Patriots couldn’t ask for a better draw as they avoid the Tacoma power-houses and Metro teams on their path to the Tacoma Dome.

Liberty as a school has never played in the Tacoma Dome and HC Omar Parker is on his way to his fourth state tournament. The only coach in Liberty history to take his team to the state tournament. Winner of this game takes on Shorecrest.

#19 Shorewood @ #14 Federal Way

Feb. 25, 7 p.m. at Federal Way

Last Matchup: N/A

Skinny: In it’s first 3A season, the Eagles are out the outside looking in at the Tacoma Dome, needing two wins to advance. Federal Way played well against would-be district champions Lincoln. But fell short 57-56 in the end.

An Eagles win means a third round with Auburn Mountainview who was given the 11th seed by the seeding committee, so just a single NPSL team will make the state tournament.

3A Girls:

#18 Decatur @ #15 Roosevelt

Feb. 25, 7 p.m. at Roosevelt High School

Last Matchup: Dec. 15, 2022, Decatur W 58-53

Skinny: Decatur’s magic run has led them to a play-in game at the state tournament. After a shocking win at Bellarmine and a win at Auburn Mountainview, the Gators are playing with house money.

Decatur did have the lead against White River at halftime in the district tournament, but did eventually lose 62-49. The question is, can their offense be consistent enough to get them to the Tacoma Dome? We shall see.

#17 Bellevue @ #16 Auburn Mountainview

Feb. 25, 7 p.m. at Auburn Mountainview

Last Matchup: Mar. 8, 2007 (STATE) Auburn Mountainview W 53-41

Skinny: The Lions regular season body of work was enough to have them leap frog Decatur and land the 16 seed. The Lions question marks are the same as their NPSL counterpart, can their offense keep up.

For Bellevue, will Syesha Simanton play? She has been sidelined with injury but was nearing a return at the end of the season. If she is good to go, the Lions need to prioritize her on the defensive end.

2A Boys

#14 Renton @ #11 Columbia River

March 1, 4 p.m. at Mark Morris High School

Last Meeting: Mar. 2, 2018: Columbia River W 64-44

Skinny: This Renton Redhawks team has had a rough go of things this season. After a couple seasons of easy regular seasons met with a tough reality in the postseason. This years team has had quite the opposite. Just eight total wins on the calendar for Renton as they prep for the state tournament.

A lot of the games have been close for the Redhawks, a two-point loss to Bellevue, three-point loss at Liberty, nine-point loss at Mount Si. If Renton can just prove they can get over the hump, who knows what kind of run they can go on.

#16 Lindbergh @ #9 Sequim

Feb. 28, 6 p.m. at University of Puget Sound

Last Meeting: Dec. 2, 2024 Sequim W 63-44

Skinny: This is not the same Lindbergh team that lost by 19 two months ago. With the addition of Suheyb Hussan the Eagles have two players over 6’6” and will be forced to use that length in the state tournament. Can Lindbergh pull of an upset, absolutely. Lucking out against an opponent you have played already is a massive advantage for Lindbergh.

John Choul, Lukas Lutthans, Hassan and league MVP James Huff IV will need to play their best to give Lindbergh a chance. Maybe Oliver Talmadge gets hot from three-point land and give the Eagles a boost.

2A Girls

#13 Renton @ #12 North Mason

Feb. 28, 8 p.m. at Mount Tahoma High School

Last Meeting: N/A

Skinny: Renton might have one of the more intriguing stories in the entire state of Washington. The Redhawks are 6-18 and district champions. The Redhawks have two losing streaks of at least six games this season but have won three straight games in the district tournament.

The Redhawks have defied the odds to get to the state tournament, coaches and players are almost in awe of the turnaround. If the Redhawks get to the SunDome, it will be one of the more remarkable postseason runs in recent memory.