TNT’s midseason boys basketball power rankings: Small school leads the pack
We’re around the midway point of the high school boys basketball season in the South Sound. League title races are heating up, and the playoffs are fast approaching.
With half the season in the rear view, we’re ranking the Top 10 teams in the area so far, plus “The Next Five,” regardless of classification.
1. Annie Wright (11-1 overall, 3-0 1A Nisqually) — Not just the best team in Tacoma and the best team in 1A, this is maybe the best team in the state this winter, regardless of classification, evidenced by a win over 3A state favorite Rainier Beach. Guards Jeremiah Harshman (18 points per game, seven assists, six rebounds) and Martin Kaupanger (12 ppg, four assist, two rebounds) are as good a 1-2 punch as there is in Washington.
2. Puyallup (12-2 overall, 5-0 4A SPSL) — The only two losses so far have come to out-of-state teams during a holiday tournament. Guard Drew Jones (28.5 ppg, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists) has taken his game to the next level this winter and 6-foot-7 forward Will Nasinec (12.8 ppg, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists) is a difference maker on both ends. Mason Sonntag (9.9 ppg) has been a steady contributor for the Vikings.
3. Auburn (13-1 overall, 7-0 4A NPSL) — We wondered how the Trojans might fare after losing reigning TNT All-Area player of the year Jaylen Petty to Rainier Beach in the offseason. Credit to Trojans’ coach Ryan Hansen — Auburn hasn’t missed a beat. Guard Carter Hansen (19 ppg, four rebounds, five assists) is shooting over 50 percent from beyond the arc and can fill the stat sheet in a hurry alongside guard Daniel Johnson (19 ppg, six rebounds). Isaiah Englund (10 ppg) and Miles Henry (seven ppg) round out a balanced scoring effort.
4. Kentwood (10-3 overall, 5-2 4A NPSL) — It feels like the best is still yet to come for this group. Guard Brandon Tagle (17.2 ppg, 6.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds) runs the show as a facilitator and scorer, while Mason St. Louis (19.5 ppg, 5.5 rebounds) and Corey Tita (18.2 ppg, 6.3 rebounds) give the Conquerors plenty of scoring punch.
5. Lincoln (11-2 overall, 9-0 3A PSL) — Abes have passed every local test with flying colors, including wins over Tacoma rivals Bellarmine Prep, Mount Tahoma and Silas. Freshman Davion Shareef-Dulaney, the team’s leading scorer at 17.3 ppg, and sophomore guard Trey Collier (11.8 ppg) are playing beyond their years.
6. Olympia (11-3 overall, 4-1 4A SPSL) — John Kiley’s Bears flew out of the starting gates on a seven-game win streak and own full control of the 4A SPSL South yet again. Reigning league-MVP and senior guard Matt Lindblom paves the way for a group featuring senior wing Julian Zapata and forward Brian Stevenson.
7. Auburn Mountainview (13-0 overall, 7-0 3A NPSL) — It wasn’t just a step forward for Auburn Mountainview in 2025 – it was a major leap. That’s 13 straight wins for the Lions this winter with decisive, quality victories over the likes of Federal Way, Silas, and White River. Senior guard Sebastian Arius does it all (18.5 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals per game).
8. Sumner (10-4 overall, 7-3 4A SPSL) — Spartans have won eight of their last nine games, capped by Saturday’s 61-53 win over a contending Olympia squad. Combo guard and sharpshooter Jalen Hyppa is heating up alongside seniors Colton Kelley and Carson Schmidt.
9. Bellarmine Prep (9-4 overall, 7-2 3A PSL) — Lions roster one of the area’s top outside shooters in sophomore point guard Kade Price and could make a playoff run from the newly-formed 3A Puget Sound League. B-Prep’s two league losses (Lincoln, Gig Harbor) were by a combined six points.
10. Franklin Pierce (8-3 overall, 6-0 2A SPSL) — Cardinals have demolished 2A SPSL foes by 16+ points in all six league wins and show no signs of stopping, powered by star guard Javon Barbee (28.5 ppg, 10 rebounds). Perhaps Franklin Pierce can run the league table in 2024-25?
The Next Five: Rogers, Emerald Ridge, Curtis, Gig Harbor, Federal Way
