Hanson leads King’s back to state tournament

The King’s program has continued to improve the past four years and a big part of that improvement is thanks to senior Savanna Hanson.

The 6-foot guard, who has committed to Santa Clara, has helped the Knights reach state all four years she’s played for King’s.

“She’s grown as a leader,” said King’s head coach Dan Taylor. “She’s been a two-year captain. She was more reserved and quiet when she first came up in the program. Now she’s a lot more vocal and I think that will help at next level.”

Hanson, who averaged about 15 points per game this season, led King’s to the regional round of the 1A state tournament in her sophomore year. In 2014, Hanson and the Knights placed fifth at state, before falling in the 1A championship game last season to Lynden Christian.

King’s also made it to the state tournament in Hanson’s freshman season, going 0-2 at the Yakima SunDome.

“The thing that makes her valuable for us is she can play inside or outside. That’s the next evolution of basketball,” Taylor said. “You look at Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Lauren Jackson — those players can score inside and outside and I think Savanna’s become that type of player. She can post up down low or hit a perimeter jumper. That makes her very difficult to defend.”