1A Boys State Tournament | At a glance

Schedule

Thursday’s Games

At the SunDome in Yakima

Lynden Christian vs. Naches Valley, 3:45 p.m.

Castle Rock vs. Zillah, 5:30 p.m.

King’s Way Christian vs. Vashon Island, 7:15 p.m.

La Salle vs. King’s, 9 p.m.

Tickets

Adults—$12 per day, $28 for an all-tournament pass; seniors and students with ASB cards—$10 and $23; children 5 and younger—free.

Players to watch

Justin Dunsmore, Zillah: The senior led the Leopards to the state championship last season. With the ability to shoot from the outside and score inside, Dunsmore is a difficult defensive assignment for any player. He has helped lead the Leopards to their 23-1 record and a No. 1-ranking entering Thursday’s 1A quarterfinal against Castle Rock.

Kienan Walter, King’s Way Christian: The junior has averaged 23.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and two assists per game for the Knights, who enter Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Vashon Island with a record of 19-6. The Knights were tied with Riverside for 10th in the final 1A Associated Press poll of the season.

Jessie Norton, Vashon Island: The senior averages 20.2 points per game for the Pirates, who enter Thursday’s quartefinal game against King’s Way Christian with a record of 22-1. Their only loss of the season came by one point on Dec. 30 to Alaska’s Dimond High School. The Pirates were ranked third in the final AP poll of the season.

Cody Fransen, Lynden Christian: The senior is one of two Lynden Christian players averaging more than 16 points per game. Fransen leads the way averaging 16.5 and junior Zach Roetcisoender is right behind averaging 16.4 per contest. Fransen and Roetcisoender have led the Lyncs to a 16-8 record so far this season and a No. 6-ranking in the final AP poll of the season.

Brock Johnson, Castle Rock: The junior is averaging 19 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Rockets, who face No. 1-ranked Zillah in Thursday’s state quartefinals.

The Favorite: King’s

King’s finished second in the final AP Class 1A poll of the season, just three points behind No. 1 Zillah. Those same two teams met in last year’s 1A state championship game and the Leopards won a close one. This year, the Knights come into the tournament with one loss and after the entire team walked away from its recent bus crash with only minor injuries, King’s appears to be this season’s team of destiny.

The Herald predicts …

King’s and Zillah battle for the title again, this time King’s wins the championship in a game that goes down to the wire.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.