The News Tribune’s 2023 All-Area boys basketball team
Each year, with input from local coaches, The News Tribune selects its All-Area boys basketball team.
This year, eight high schools from the South Sound are represented by players and coaches selected to the first and second teams.
The 12 spots, broken down by leagues, are 4A North Puget Sound League (two), 4A South Puget Sound League (five), 3A North Puget Sound League (one), 3A Pierce County League (one) and 3A South Sound Conference (two) and 2A Evergreen Conference (one).
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ZOOM DIALLO
Curtis
Guard, 6-4, jr.
The best player on the state’s top 4A team paced the Vikings to a second consecutive state championship in the Tacoma Dome this March. Averaged a 4A state tournament-best 21.3 points per game in Curtis’ three wins over Camas in the quarterfinals, Federal Way in the semifinals and league rival Olympia in the championship game on the way to back-to-back tournament MVP honors. Two-time 4A SPSL North MVP and two-time TNT All-Area selection averaged 20.2 points, 5.5 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals this season, also pacing the Vikings to back-to-back 4A SPSL tournament and 4A West Central/Southwest district titles. Has scored 1,405 career points in three seasons at Curtis. A true three-level scorer, Diallo’s arsenal of crossovers, stepbacks, fadeaways and floaters made him a matchup issue for every team he faced. Five-star recruit has offers from several high-major programs, and was this year’s state Gatorade Player of the Year.
COACH OF THE YEAR
TIM KELLY
Curtis
Coached the Vikings to a second consecutive undefeated run through the 4A SPSL North in the regular season, and back-to-back championships in the 4A SPSL tournament, 4A West Central/Southwest district tournament and 4A state tournament, ending the season with a championship trophy in the Tacoma Dome for the fifth time in his career. One of eight boys basketball coaches in the state to win five state championships, guiding the Vikings to their past three (2023, 2022 and 2013) and Lincoln to 4A championships in back-to-back seasons in 2001 and 2002.
FIRST TEAM
PARKER GERRITS
Olympia
Guard, 6-2, sr.
One of the state’s best pure guards, Gerrits was as good a knockdown shooter and crafty scorer as they come. Two-time 4A SPSL South MVP and two-time TNT All-Area pick led the Bears to a division title and appearances in the 4A SPSL tournament championship game, 4A West Central/Southwest district championship game and 4A state championship game — Olympia’s first since 1998. Also earned all-tournament first-team honors in the Tacoma Dome. Averaged 19.3 points per game this winter for the Bears. Washington State commit.
BROOKLYN HICKS
Timberline
Guard, 6-4, sr.
UNLV-bound guard finished a historic career at Timberline as the program’s record-holder in single-game scoring (51 points), season scoring (749) and career scoring (2,049). Also reset Thurston County’s all-time career scoring record this winter and became a member of the 2,000-point club. A true scoring machine, Hicks was a nightmare for teams to stop in transition and when he was attacking the basket. Three-time 3A SSC MVP averaged 32 points per game, leading the Blazers to an undefeated league title this season and 3A state tournament appearance in the Tacoma Dome. Two-time TNT All-Area selection.
TYCE PAULSEN
Curtis
Guard, 6-4, sr.
Point Loma-bound guard is one of the South Sound’s best perimeter shooters, and holds the career scoring record at Curtis after piling up 1,506 points the past four seasons. 4A SPSL North first-teamer and defensive MVP averaged 15.1 points and a team-leading 2.3 steals this season. Was key to Curtis’ back-to-back 4A SPSL tournament, 4A West Central/Southwest district and 4A state championship wins this season, and also earned all-tournament first-team honors in the Tacoma Dome. Four-time 4A SPSL first-team selection — including 4A SPSL North MVP honors as as sophomore — and three-time TNT All-Area pick.
JAYLEN PETTY
Auburn
Guard, 5-9, soph.
Transferred from Rainier Beach following his freshman season, and made an immediate impact for the Trojans, earning 3A NPSL MVP honors this winter. Averaged 22 points per game and knocked down outside shots all season long, pacing Auburn to an undefeated league title, the 3A West Central/Southwest district title and a fifth-place finish at the 3A state tournament in the Tacoma Dome.
VAUGHN WEEMS
Federal Way
Forward, 6-5, sr.
One of the state’s best players on both ends of the floor, the ultra-athletic forward averaged a double-double with 17.6 points and 10 rebounds per game, and posted a team-leading 3.1 steals. Two-time 4A NPSL MVP led the Eagles to an undefeated league title this winter, a third-place finish at the 4A state tournament in the Tacoma Dome and earned all-tournament first-team honors. Two-time TNT All-Area selection.
SECOND TEAM
G Luke Brewer, Tumwater, sr.
F Ne’Quan Brown, Stadium, sr.
F Andreas Engholm, Olympia, sr.
G Will Landram, Gig Harbor, sr.
F Dace Pleasant, Federal Way, sr.
