Auburn is back to defend its state title — this time with 3A NPSL MVP Jaylen Petty
As Auburn stormed the court and hoisted last year’s 3A trophy underneath the Tacoma Dome, Jaylen Petty could only watch from the opposing bench. The Trojans had stormed to victory over the freshman guard’s Rainier Beach Vikings, 58-48, capping Auburn’s perfect four-game stretch in the Dome in as many days.
Now, Petty’s a sophomore and league MVP pouring in 22 points per game. He’ll be back in the Tacoma Dome this week, hopeful to reach the tournament’s final game once again.
Except Petty is wearing green and black.
The NPSL’s most valuable player transferred to Auburn in the offseason, an “opportunity” he couldn’t pass up. Senior wing Semaj Brown was the only returning starter from last year’s squad, but the infusion of Petty and development of Auburn’s roster has the Trojans in prime position for another tournament run.
“It speaks a lot to the kids that were in reserve roles last year… they got their opportunity to be ‘the guys’ this year,” coach Ryan Hansen said. “They played to the standard that was set before them by the seniors last year, and didn’t want to be the ones to let that standard fall.
“They seized their opportunity.”
That includes Petty, the team’s leading scorer who dropped a game-high 31 in Auburn’s regional game against O’Dea, albeit in a 63-61 loss. A towering Fighting Irish team pulled away late, but Auburn’s sophomore guard remained a force.
“Just be aggressive” was Petty’s mentality. “Get their main player in foul trouble… Create for my teammates, and if I have (a shot), just take it.”
Hansen remains wowed by both Petty’s competitiveness and fearlessness to attack any defender. Auburn’s coach recalled the guard’s 31-point performance and ability to maneuver opposing schemes, proving the attempts to stop him unproductive.
“As great as he shoots the ball, he’s faced with every kind of defense,” Hansen said. “He’s got guys grabbing him, holding him, face-guarding, box-and-1, triangle-and-2, he’s faced at all.
“He just finds ways to get it done. … He’s a special player, a special kid.”
While O’Dea earned a bye into the quarterfinals with its win, the loss dropped Auburn to opening round play at the Tacoma Dome this week, when the Hardwood Classic culminates into Saturday night’s state championship. If Auburn wants to repeat, the quest begins Wednesday in the Round of 12 – just like it did last year.
But Petty wasn’t part of that group. There’s a chip on his shoulder for that reason.
“I’m just taking it head on, you know? It’s just to come here, and really fight, and be dawgs,” Petty said. “And have toughness. … Just being tough and gritty.”
Defense and rebounding remain Auburn’s priority entering the 3A bracket, a year removed from setting a tournament record in points allowed. Petty tallies three steals per game and senior guard Tyrell Nichols adds two.
Brown and junior guard Luvens Valcin grab a team-high six rebounds per game. Petty’s breakout season earned him league-MVP honors for the 3A NPSL.
“It’s great. It’s something just to tell me to keep going,” he said. “All of the hard work I’ve been putting in, and I’ll continue to put in, just to keep going and to try to be the best in the state.”
Auburn’s loss to Mount Si also snapped a 13-game win streak, a stretch defined by selfless basketball and “sacrifice,” Hansen said.
Beyond Petty’s 22 points per contest are Brown’s 14 and Valcin’s 11.
“We know when to give it up, you know? It’s better if we all succeed,” Petty said. “I’ll take zero points if we take the dub. I don’t really care. It’s about moving the ball and getting the win.”
Auburn’s league and district titles earned the state tournament’s fourth seed. The Trojans meet No. 12 Arlington in the Round of 12 on Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome. Tip-off is set for 7:45 p.m. and the winner meets No. 3 Eastside Catholic in the 3A quarterfinals a day later.
“A lot of these guys were a part of it last year,” Hansen said. “They saw it at work, and so they bought in.”
Petty’s former team, Rainier Beach – with plenty of friends on the roster, admittedly – reached the Dome and will play after Auburn on Wednesday at 9 p.m. There’s a chance the teams could meet each other in the state semifinals.
“I want to (play them),” Petty said. “Hopefully, we can. I just want to play tough competition and get better.”
