Boys scouting report
THE FAVORITES
Ferris Saxons
Location: Spokane.
Record: 22-3 overall (second in Greater Spokane League, East Regional champs)
Head coach: Wayne Gilman (17th year).
Key players: C Sean Mallon, 6-7, So., 18.0 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game; G Erik Benzel, 6-0, Jr., 15.9 ppg, 4.6 steals pergame, 4.0 assists per game; G Jordan Bursch, 6-0, Jr. 9.2 ppg, 3.8 apg; C Jacob Pounds, Sr., 6-5, 8.1 ppg, 6 rpg; G Kirby Fike, Jr., 6-3, 9.4 ppg, 3.0 apg.
Miscellany: Lost all five starters from last year's team, which was state runner-up. Saxons made 11 of 13 three-pointers in East Regional final victory that ended Davis' 23-game win streak. Ferris' fourth consecutive state appearance and eighth since 1990.
Outlook: Ferris' match-up zone always gives Western Washington teams problems, but Saxons' biggest stumbling block could be in second round against Gonzaga Prep, which beat Ferris twice. Playoff pedigree makes Ferris a favorite, having reached the state semifinals five times in the 1990s.
Foss Falcons
Location: Tacoma
Record: 21-4 (Narrows League and West Central District champions)
Head coach: John Ruby (second year).
Key players: G/F Demetrius Crosby, 6-2, Sr., 12 ppg, 4 rpg; G Kenan Joyce, 6-5, Sr., 11.5 ppg, 5 rpg; G Solomon Wyatt, 6-3, Jr., 11.1 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.5 spg; G Mark Axton, 6-7, Jr., 10.8 ppg, 5 rpg; C Khary Nicholas, 6-6, Sr., 9.9 ppg, 8 rpg.
Miscellany: Coming off first-ever district championship and making eighth state appearance, first since 1996. Falcons have never finished higher than fourth. Only loss in past 17 games was to Wilson.
Outlook: This is a jam-fest waiting to break out, and usually does. A high-scoring team that can run and gun or set up in a solid half-court offense. Axton likes to shoot threes-pointers, although he's struggled the last two games, but can post up inside. Talented - and disciplined - enough to win it.
Garfield Bulldogs
Location: Seattle.
Record: 22-1 (won Lake Division of KingCo 4A, second in league tournament).
Head coach: Wayne Floyd (fourth year).
Key players: G Roy Smiley, 6-4, Sr., 15 ppg; F Ed Roy, 6-5, Sr., 14 ppg; G Tre Simmons, 6-4, Sr., 13 ppg, 8 rpg.
Miscellany: For 21 games, the Bulldogs were next to untouchable. But last weekend, four points separated the Bulldogs from missing the state tournament for the fourth time since 1973. Lake Washington battled to the buzzer, but Garfield's senior trio showed its toughness. Roy scored 27 points, Simmons had the game-winning basket and Smiley made the free throws to ice the game. Starter Michael Thompson will miss state tournament with a broken finger. Outlook: One loss doesn't bump Garfield from being among the favorites. With Smiley and Simmons, no team wants to run with the Bulldogs. Well . . . maybe Foss.
THE CONTENDERS
Davis Pirates
Location: Yakima.
Record: 24-2, (Big 9 champions, second in East Regional final)
Head coach: Shag Williams (third year).
Key players: C Josh Williams, 6-7, Jr., 18.0 ppg, 13.2 rpg; G Taylor Stubblefield, 6-1, Sr., 21.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.6 steals; G Jabari Riggins, 6-1, Sr., 13.0 ppg, 7.3 assists.
Miscellany: Riggins and Stubblefield are only two seniors on a team that has 10 underclassmen. Stubblefield and Williams are three-time all-conference selections. Pirates' 23-game win streak was stopped by Ferris in the East Regional final. Davis is in state tournament for a third straight season.
Outlook: Last year's fifth-place finish points the Pirates in the right direction, but they are in wrong half of the bracket.
Evergreen Plainsmen
Location: Vancouver.
Record: 16-6 (Greater St. Helens League champion).
Head coach: John Triplett (12th year).
Key players: C Willie Walden, 6-8, Sr., 14.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg; G James Davis, 5-10, Sr., 16.0 ppg, 3.5 apg; F Mark Rambin, 6-6, 9.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg.
Miscellany: This is the team's sixth state-tournament appearance in the past seven years, and it has won all six first-round games. Triplett said this team doesn't have the depth of previous seasons, but is healthy entering the tournament.
Outlook: Evergreen must run the gauntlet, possibly facing three of the Times' top four teams to reach the final. Plainsmen play Garfield today, and the winner will likely face undefeated Mountlake Terrace tomorrow. Evergreen is playing well, but the road may be too tough.
Franklin Quakers
Location: Seattle.
Record: 19-3 (KingCo 4A champions).
Head coach: Jason Kerr (first year).
Key players: F Alvin Snow, 6-2, Sr., 20 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 assists; G A.J. Brooks, 5-11, Sr., 10 ppg, 5 apg; F Antjuan Davis, 6-5, Sr., 7 ppg, 6 rpg; F Anthony Grant, 6-4, So., 8 ppg, 5 rpg; G Aaron Brooks, 5-11, Fr., 5-11.
Miscellany: Quakers have made state three of the past four seasons, but lost in first round each time. Snow and A.J. Brooks are senior leaders, but the Quakers have gelled as its core of young talent has matured. The Quakers put incredible defensive pressure on backcourts.
Outlook: Snow is team's strongest inside player, a problem since he's only 6-2. But tournament's best big men are on the other side of the bracket. Snow will need his supporting cast to step up because he can't carry the team by himself.
Gonzaga Prep Bullpups
Location: Spokane.
Record: 22-3 overall (Greater Spokane League champions, second in district tournament).
Head coach: Mike Haugen (eighth year).
Key players: G Greg Johnson, 6-0, Sr., 12.4 ppg; C Chris Bond, 6-5, Sr., 16.5 ppg; C Adam Frankovic, 6-4, Sr., 8.5 ppg; F Andy Bloom, 6-2, Jr., 9.5 ppg; G, John Ryan, 6-1, Sr., 4.7 ppg; G Ryan Simpson, 6-0, Jr., 7.3 ppg.
Miscellany: Started 17-0 in league. Johnson is the outside scoring threat, who was named league MVP. Bond has an outside shot to go with his inside scoring punch. Bullpups making their first state-tournament appearance since 1991, when they placed fifth. In four of last five state appearances, Prep has lost in the first round.
Outlook: It was a year of firsts for Gonzaga. Bullpups' first state berth under Haugen, first league title since '91. The first state semifinal appearance since 1976 is a possibility. Ferris is a potential second-round matchup, and Prep beat Saxons in two of three meetings.
Mountlake Terrace Hawks
Location: Mountlake Terrace.
Record: 22-0 (WesCo 4A champions).
Head coach: Roger Ottmar (23rd year).
Key players: C Seamus Boxley, 6-6, Sr., 15.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 4 blocks; W Roger Russaw, 6-2, Jr., 11.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg; G Josh Green, 6-0, Sr., 9.4 ppg; F Cameron Rowland, 6-3, Jr., 8.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg.
Miscellany: Terrace makes first state-tournament appearance since 1991, fourth under Ottmer, who will retire after the season. The Hawks are a methodical team, their strong defense the key to success. Russaw is a quick-footed forward, Boxley a long-armed post player. Terrace held Sehome to 31 points in the league title game, and Boxley held Sehome's Graham Lasee to seven.
Outlook: Hawks' half-court approach will be a sharp contrast to the other contenders in their half of the bracket. Garfield, Foss and Evergreen will all try to push the pace, but there's a reason Terrace hasn't lost. The Hawks know how to exploit an advantage.
MIGHT SURPRISE
Bethel Braves
Location: Graham.
Record: 20-5 (SPSL champions, second in West Central District).
Head coach: Pat Mullen (fourth year).
Key players: G Jerrell Everson, 6-2, Sr., 13 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg; G Kevin Hill, 6-2, Sr., 10 ppg, 8 rpg; G Dwayne Barnes, 6-2, Jr., 11 ppg, 3 spg; G Corey Belser, 6-4, Jr., 11.8 ppg.
Miscellany: Bethel Had 11-game win streak snapped by Foss in district title game. Never has finished better than sixth in big-school tournament, but won AA title in 1970.
Outlook: Everson and Hill, co-MVPs of the SPSL South, make this team go, but there's balance, too. Quick, athletic squad that must shoot well and block out to counter an overall lack of size.
Wilson Rams
Location: Tacoma.
Record: 18-8 (fifth in Narrows League, fourth in West Central District).
Head coach: Larry Tommervik (24th year).
Key players: G Curtis Allen, 6-2, Sr., 25.2 ppg; F Larry Stevens, 6-4, Sr., 10.2 ppg; G Zach Haley, 6-4, Sr., 9.3 ppg.
Miscellany: Won four straight district games after opening-round loss to Puyallup. Reached state championship game in 1998, losing to Garfield. Allen signed with Washington. Stevens will play football at Michigan.
Outlook: Allen can carry a team, getting lots of points off steals, but it's his three-point shooting that's deadly. Stevens is strong, quick. Others - like 6-10 sophomore Kevin Field - must step up for the Rams to surprise.
Sehome Mariners
Location: Bellingham.
Record: 21-3 overall (won North Division of WesCo 4A, second in league tournament)
Head coach: Pat Fitterer, 10th season.
Key players: C Graham Lasee, 6-5, Sr., 15.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg; G Kyle Jackson, 5-10, Jr., 11.4 ppg, 5.2 apg; F Mike Harvie, 5-10, Jr. 14 ppg; F Ryan Gartner, 6-3, Sr., 9.8 ppg.
Miscellany: Only losses this season were to Mountlake Terrace (twice) and Lynden, both tournament qualifiers. Lasee and Harvie were slowed by foot injuries late in the season, but they're healthy for the tournament. Mariners are 4-2 in first-round games under Fitterer and have reached the semifinals twice in four years.
Outlook: Sehome is on the right side of the bracket because Franklin is the only other team ranked among the Times' top eight of the tournament. But Sehome's offense was stymied by Mountlake Terrace's suffocating defense, a bad sign with potential second-round game against pressing Quakers' looming.
LONG SHOTS
Enumclaw Hornets
Location: Enumclaw
Record: 18-9 (fifth in South Puget Sound League, seventh in West Central District).
Head coach: Bill Hawk (13th year).
Key players: G Casey Hanson, 6-0, Jr., 15 ppg; G Craig Schweikl, 6-1, So., 12 ppg; G Tony Binetti, 5-9, So., 7 ppg, 4 apg, 3 spg; P Kellen Hall, 6-4, Sr., 7 ppg, 6 rpg; P Jacob Qualls, 6-5, Sr., 7 ppg, 6 rpg.
Miscellany: Played four games in five days at district - including three loser-out contests - to get here. Placed seventh in last year's state tournament and has never finished better than fourth.
Outlook: A very young team that has steadily improved and should be back against next year. Hanson is hardnosed and can hit the tough shot. The quick Binetti creates opportunities off the steal. No big bangers for tough inside match-ups, but Qualls can be effective.
Kamiakin Braves
Location: Kennewick.
Record: 18-8 overall (third in Big 9, third in East Regional)
Head coach: Don Schumacher (21st year).
Key players: F Chris Bullock, 6-2, Sr., 13.3 ppg; F Eric Patrick, 6-6, Jr., 11.1 ppg; F Kevin Wyatt, 6-3, Sr., 10.4 ppg; F Luke Roloff, 6-3, Sr., 9.3 ppg; G Alex Parker, 5-10, Sr., 8.4 ppg.
Miscellany: All five starters average close to 10 points. After a midseason slump, Kamiakin heated up from the perimeter in the postseaon. Kamiakin placed in four straight state tournaments beginning in '92, but this is first state appearance since '95.
Outlook: Team likes to shoot from outside, but has been hot and cold. Has won 9 of 11 as shooting improved.
Kentwood Conquerors
Location: Covington (East Kent).
Record: 19-7 (won SPSL North, fifth in West Central District).
Head coach: Doug Galloway (first year).
Key players: C Mike Jensen, 6-8, Jr., 14 ppg; G Josh McLeod, 5-11, Sr., 11 ppg; G Anthony Medina, 6-0, Sr., 12 ppg.
Miscellany: Made only other state appearance in 1995, going 0-2. Galloway coached at White River for nine seasons.
Outlook: After losing three of their past five games, Conquerors are hoping to regroup and make a trophy run. Jensen should be one of the top recruits in the state next season and has Washington interested. He's not shy around the basket and gets outside help from McLeod and Medina.
Puyallup Vikings
Location: Puyallup
Record: 20-5 (third in SPSL, sixth in West Central District).
Head coach: John Wetterauer (third year).
Key players: G Ben Riippi, 6-0, Sr., 14 ppg; G Kevin Hayes, 6-1, Sr., 14 ppg.
Miscellany: Making 16th state appearance, but first since 1995. Won AAA title in 1971.
Outlook: It's the Riippi and Hayes Show, and Vikings run a variety of plays to get them good looks. A very patient, disciplined team that lost only to Foss and Wilson at district. Lack of an inside game hurts, but 6-3 Bobby Miller rebounds well.
Stadium Tigers
Location: Tacoma.
Record: 16-9 (Second in Narrows League, third in West Central District).
Head coach: Paco Cartledge (first year).
Key players: G Matt Tuell, 6-0, Sr., 15.6 ppg; F Rob Hudspeth, 6-4, Sr., 11.9 ppg; G Patrick Hillis, 6-2, Jr., 10.5 ppg.
Miscellany: Former state stalwart returns for first time since 1991. Won titles in 1959 and '31 and has eight other trophy finishes.
Outlook: Got to state without their second-leading scorer, Hudspeth, who suffered an ankle injury in Narrows tourney. He's expected back this week, which should help inside. Tuell averaged better than 20 points in four district games.
Capsules compiled by Danny O'Neil and Sandy Ringer.