Manley: Top players, teams from ‘The Dream Showcase’ basketball event in Federal Way
Shoutout to Federal Way boys basketball coach Yattah Reed and the school’s athletic administration for putting on another solid Martin Luther King Jr. high school basketball event. Now in its third year, “The Dream Showcase” always features a competitive roster of boys and girls teams. Find all our coverage of the event at thenewstribune.com.
I talked with Reed a bit yesterday and told him the thing I like best about the showcase is the geographic variety of teams he brings in each year. There are plenty of good teams to watch in the Tacoma-Seattle area, obviously, but it’s fun to see how some of the locals stack up against teams from the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Camas or wherever else.
After watching games from morning until late at night, here were the top individual performances I saw and the teams that impressed most during Monday’s showcase.
Note: Based on available stats. Every player has at least their point total, but I don’t have full lines for every player.
RESULTS
Federal Way girls 53, Graham-Kapowsin 47
Rogers boys 70, Silas 59 (OT)
Camas boys 64, Stadium 53
Richland boys 80, Tahoma 64
Davis girls 68, Tahoma 50
Davis boys 50, Federal Way 46
Ellensburg girls 62, Emerald Ridge 33
Lake Washington girls 58, Sumner 47
TOP PLAYERS
BOYS
G Treyshawn Weatherspoon, Rogers
Stats: 32 points, five rebounds, five steals, three assists
Manley’s take: Talk about instant offense. Weatherspoon scored 21 of his 32 points after halftime in Rogers’ overtime win over Silas. High-level shooter and has a nice floater when he gets into the lane. Rogers coach Connie Richardson does a nice job scheming screens in the offense to create space and open looks for Weatherspoon, too.
G Jace VanVoorhis, Camas
Stats: 23 points
Manley’s take: Torched Stadium early, scoring 19 of his 23 points in the first half. Knockdown shooter with elite vision. Always has his head up and is scanning the floor. High IQ player.
F Ethan Harris, Camas
Stats: 17 points
Manley’s take: He’s a 6-foot-8 stretch four who floats out to the perimeter and can knock down the three, but he is also comfortable playing around the rim and altering shots on defense. A real weapon for the Papermakers.
G Donovan Gill, Stadium
Stats: 23 points
Manley’s take: Missed the early part of the season with a lingering football injury, but now that he’s back on the floor, the Tigers will go as he goes. Single-handedly kept Stadium in the game against Camas. Fluid playmaker, good shooter, creates space for pull-up midrange game.
G Landen Northrop, Richland
Stats: 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists, five steals
Manley’s take: Teammate Lance Horntvedt was the team’s leading scorer, but I walked away most impressed with Northrop. High-energy, versatile, athletic guard who pushes the pace, sets the tempo and gets Richland out in transition.
G Lance Hornvedt, Richland
Stats: 31 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one blocked shot
Manley’s take: Really efficient attacking the rim. Shot 57 percent from the field and sunk 6-of-8 free throws. Plays bigger, stronger than his 6-foot-3 height. Can score in a variety of ways.
GIRLS
G Cheyenne Hull, Davis
Stats: 22 points
Manley’s take: Was one of the best freshmen in the state last year and looks even more assertive and confident this year. Good shooter, strong, overpowers defenders. Sets the tone for the Pirates.
G Isa Garcia, Davis
Stats: 27 points
Manley’s take: Good outside shooter, evidenced by four 3-pointers in the win over Tahoma. One of several capable scorers for Davis.
G Jamison Philip, Ellensburg
Stats: 17 points
Manley’s take: Lightning fast, can turn any game into a track meet in a hurry. Active feet, active hands on defense. Pushes Ellensburg in transition. Non-stop motor. Will play college ball at Montana State.
G Ashley Uusitalo, Lake Washington
Stats: 22 points
Manley’s take: There was a point in the second half when everything was working and falling for Uusitalo. Intense competitor. Good ball handler, strong step-back and midrange game.
G Olivia Collins, Sumner
Stats: 19 points
Manley’s take: Sumner’s in a mini-slump, and most of Collins’ points came from the foul line, but the shooting ability is clear, and has been since she stepped on campus. Can take games over in a hurry when she heats up.
TOP TEAMS
Richland boys (13-0) — Maybe not quite as loaded as the team that reached the 4A state championship game last year, but there’s still plenty to like with this year’s team, which is again a state-title contender. They’re tall, they share the ball, they defend and they get out in transition. Having versatile 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-4 guards be your leading scorers helps, too.
Camas boys (10-2) — One through five, there’s probably not a better complete shooting team in the state. It seems like everyone in a Papermakers jersey can shoot the 3-pointer. I think there’s probably something contagious to that success, too.
Lake Washington girls (14-3) — Particularly impressive on the defensive end, slowing down Sumner stars Kawehi Borden and Olivia Collins. There’s a solid chance Lake Washington meets Sumner again in the postseason.
Ellensburg girls (15-0) — A strong 2A title contender, undoubtedly. Bulldogs play an aggressive, dizzying pace of basketball. They press, trap, force turnovers and punish teams in transition. Jamison Philip is the engine.
Davis girls (12-2) — No Esmeralda Galindo this year, but Cheyenne Hull has stepped into a more prominent role after the senior leader’s graduation. They defend, they have several players who can put the ball in the hoop and they just wear you down over time.
