As we move into 2024, let’s reflect on the season so far, and look ahead to what may be in store for the rest of the season, and what’s happening around the state with the 1A and 2A boys races.
The Northwest Conference
This is still a very open race, with the top four being (in no particular order) Lynden Christian (5-0), Anacortes (3-1), Lynden (6-0), and Mount Vernon (4-1).
A couple of those have matched up already with Mount Vernon getting an overtime win at Anacortes and then losing at Lynden Christian. This could be a group that will all beat each other, and as of now, the one that emerges victorious is anyone’s guess. My guess? LC by a nose. But that guess could change on a daily basis (see how I cover myself?).
Bellingham (5-1) is getting close to that group, having played only the Lyncs as of now, and that ended in an 11-point loss.
All the 2A’s make the district tournament, along with Cedarcrest and Archbishop Murphy from the Wesco. And remember, only two from District 1 in the 2A classification can qualify for the state tournament this year. That’s a very tight squeeze, knowing the depth of this district. And that may just have gotten a little tighter.
On Saturday, on their way back from two days in Yakima where they played very well, Anacortes stopped in Duval on their way home to take on the Cedarcrest Red Wolves. I’ve had my eye on the Red Wolves this season, and their 8-1 record going into that game.
It was close all the way, with the Seahawks holding a 44-42 lead heading into the fourth quarter. But the Red Wolves outscored the Seahawks 23-15 in the final eight minutes for a 65-59 win.
It was also the third game in three days for the Red Wolves, as they had come from winning on back-to-back days at a holiday event at Burlington-Edison. They beat the Tigers by six and then hammered White River by 30.
The 1A’s will again gather amongst themselves for their district tournament and send two teams to the crossover with District 2. The Lyncs are the clear favorite in that group, but then, that also gets very sticky. Nooksack Valley is 4-2 in the NWC and Meridian is dangerous at 1-3.
In 3A, Mount Vernon should be a high seed to 12-team district tournament. Ferndale or Oak Harbor must get into the top 12 in district RPI to qualify. Only two teams from the NWC can get in to the 3A district tournament.
Around the State in 1A
I don’t know of a better team in 1A than Lynden Christian (11-0). Zillah (8-0), is close, having just beaten Lynden. After that, there is a gap to the next group.
District 2 Kings (6-3) is solid and should be, at least, a regional team.
Annie Wright (7-2) appears to be the best team in District 3. After that, Bellevue Christian and Cascade Christian lead a close group. LC just beat BC by 41 points.
In District 4, Montesano lost their first game of the season to RA Long, and have won nine in a row, but no real “testers.” Stevenson, Tenino, and Hoquiam are next in line.
In District 5, it’s all Zillah, all the time. The Leopards have also beaten Grandview, the top CWAC team. Wahluke (8-1) has yet to be tested.
District 6 is jumbled, as per usual. Chelan (8-2) beat Omak (8-2); Omak beat Quincy (7-4); Quincy beat Chelan. Quincy also came within six points of Zillah.
In District 7, Freeman (8-2) has wins over 2A’s Pullman, Clarkston, and Shadle Park.
Around the State in 2A
The two most well-known commodities in 2A this year are Anacortes (7-2) and Lynden (8-3). They are experienced and tested. They play in a tough league and play the toughest non-conference opponents possible. And they will play each other at least once before March.
There are no other teams I would put on their level, right now, but there are some interesting teams out there. Some, because of their schedules, you just can’t tell where they are yet, as a championship contender.
Cedarcrest, with their win over Anacortes, have certainly put themselves into district title contention. They will score a very high state RPI with wins like that and will feast off of 3A wins in the Wesco, to strengthen their district RPI.
(District and State RPI will be explained in the near future by my colleague, Arpy Iguy).
District 2 has last year’s #3 seed to state, Renton (7-4), and Sammamish (7-4).
District 3 has an undefeated (9-0) Bremerton team, who has wins over Port Angeles, South Kitsap, and Lake Stevens. North Kitsap will be a candidate for a strong post-season run, but due to football, are only 3-1 so far. White River (6-2) and Port Angeles (6-3) are off to decent starts but have not fared well against better competition.
In District 4, RA Long (7-2) may be the team to beat in the Greater St. Helens League. They beat Columbia River (6-2), who beat Mark Morris (5-5).
Grandview (10-1) and East Valley-Yakima (10-1) pace the CWAC. The Greyhounds came within five points of Zillah, while the Red Devils loss was to league foe, Prosser. They also had SunDome wins over Enumclaw and Port Angeles.
Selah (5-4) is dangerous when junior guard Jackson Pepper is on the floor, and Prosser (6-5) split two games with East Valley and also lost to Zillah by five.
District 7 is always the wild card. The teams in the Greater Spokane League play a lot of games against teams from Northern Idaho, making it difficult to get a read on them from a distance.
West Valley-Spokane is 10-0, but six wins are against teams from out of state. Their best in-state win is over Freeman by three points.
2024
The rest of the season begins now. There are games in week one of 2024 from Tuesday through Saturday.
Among all the great matchups this week, the headliners are Bellingham at Lynden on Thursday, as the Bayhawks hope to crack into the top group. Then, on Friday, Lynden Christian at Nooksack Valley. That matchup always makes me think about their rivalry, way back in the 1900’s!
~ Ted House
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