The News Tribune’s 2024 All-Area boys basketball team
Each year, with input from local coaches, The News Tribune selects its All-Area boys basketball team.
This year, 11 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 (three), 3A Pierce County League (three), 4A South Puget Sound League (two), 3A North Puget Sound League (one), 3A South Sound Conference (one), 2A South Puget Sound League (one) and 1A Nisqually (one).
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JAYLEN PETTY
Auburn
Guard, 5-11, jr.
The springy junior guard took his game to a different level this season, emerging as one of the state’s best players. 3A NPSL MVP Averaged 25.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game for the Trojans, leading Auburn to a 24-3 overall record, an undefeated run through the 3A NPSL, the 3A District 3/4 title and a state tournament appearance.
COACH OF THE YEAR
RYAN ROGERS
Lincoln
Coached Lincoln to a 22-7 record and did some of his best work in the postseason when the Abes were given the state tournament’s No. 17 seed. Led Lincoln to a play-in win over Lake Washington and a regional round road win against West Seattle, securing Lincoln’s first trip to the Tacoma Dome since 2020. The highlight of the year came on Day 1 at the Dome, when Lincoln came from behind to upset top-seeded Auburn to advance to the 3A state tournament quarterfinals.
FIRST TEAM
RAY ADAMS
North Thurston
Forward, 6-7, sr.
The 6-foot-7 forward played even longer for the Rams, leading North Thurston to the 3A state tournament with his 7-foot wingspan. A double-double machine and difference maker on both ends of the floor, the 3A SSC MVP averaged 18.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, three blocks, 2.6 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
OMARION BOSTON
Lincoln
Forward, 6-5, sr.
3A PCL first-team selection was a banger in the paint for Lincoln’s 3A state tournament quarterfinal team. Always under control, Boston was one of the state tournament’s best scorers, averaging 23.7 points per game at the Dome for the Abes. On the season, averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds and had season highs of 33 and 32 points against 4A state tournament teams Olympia and Federal Way, respectively.
ADAM DAVIS
Tahoma
Guard/forward, 6-6, sr.
The best pure shooter and scoring threat from anywhere on the floor for the high-flying Bears offense, Davis averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and two blocks this season. Saved his best for the 4A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome, when he averaged 21.3 points per game at the Tacoma Dome and shot 67 percent from 3-point range.
JEREMIAH HARSHMAN
Annie Wright
Guard, 6-1, jr.
Arguably the best guard in Tacoma this fall, Harshman was a smooth, natural scorer for the Gators, leading Annie Wright all the way to the 1A state championship game in Yakima and a runner-up finish. Averaged 15 points, seven assists and three rebounds per game.
DEVIN WHITTEN
Curtis
Guard, 6-2, sr.
One of the only impact players who returned from Curtis’ defending state championship team, Whitten grew into a vocal leader and one of the area’s top players this season. The 4A SPSL North Division MVP averaged 20.6 points, four rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 assists. Leaves the program as Curtis’ all-time winningest player with 87 career wins. Scored 1,236 career points.
SECOND TEAM
G Javon Barbee, Franklin Pierce, jr.
G Donovan Gill, Stadium, jr.
G Matt Lindblom, Olympia, jr.
G Brandon Tagle, Kentwood, soph.
G Mason Thomas, Federal Way, sr.
This story was originally published March 19, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
