High school boys basketball: Top teams, players in South Sound in 2025-26
Here are the top teams and players to watch during the 2025-26 high school boys basketball season in the South Sound.
4A NPSL
Auburn (8-0) is the favorite, but Kentwood (7-1) will factor into the league title race as well. Auburn won the first meeting between the teams in early December, 55-53. Auburn returns perhaps the area’s top player in senior guard and Montana State signee Daniel Johnson, a TNT All-Area first-team selection last winter. Johnson averaged 18.8 points last season and was electric in the 4A state tournament in the Tacoma Dome. The Trojans also have length with 6-foot-4 senior Miles Henry and 6-foot-8 junior Isaiah Englund. Kentwood is paced by senior guard Brandon Tagle, a gifted distributor and smooth shooter who never looks sped up with the basketball. Keep an eye too on Kentridge senior wing Giovanni Moimoi, who averaged 18 points per game last season as a junior.
4A SPSL
Puyallup lost TNT All-Area first-team selection Drew Jones to graduation after the guard put on a show to remember during the Class 4A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome, carrying the Vikings all the way to the 4A title game. But Kevin Olson’s squad still returns several key players from last year’s squad, including guard (and TNT football All-Area selection) Lawson Looker and forwards Mason Sonntag and Will Nasinec. Nasinec averaged 14.1 points last season. Emerald Ridge, undefeated in 4A SPSL play with a win over Puyallup so far, might be the team to beat in the North Division this season, led by 6-foot-7 springy wing Jamaize McGriff. Spanaway Lake transfer Darius Alexander, a senior guard, has gotten off to a strong start for the Jags, averaging 17 points and four assists. Sumner could play spoiler down the stretch, led by senior guard Will Norton, who missed the entirety of his junior season with an injury.
In the South Division, Bonney Lake has burst onto the scene in the first month of the season, off to a 7-0 start with a win over perennial contender Olympia in early December. Junior guard Jace Andino, a Sumner transfer, is a knockdown shooter and player to watch for the Panthers. Senior 6-foot-7 forward Eli Davis leads a frontcourt with some legit length, which also includes 6-foot-7 forward Cole Seminara and 6-foot-4 junior wing Quinton Sagaio. Olympia will have a say, too, with its only league loss coming by two points to Bonney Lake in early December.
3A NPSL
The league is wide open. Federal Way, the typical favorite, looks more vulnerable than usual this year, with losses to Todd Beamer and Auburn Mountainview in December. Todd Beamer is 4-2, led by 6-foot-3 guard Doni Burkett, who is averaging 31 points per game. Burkett landed with the Titans after beginning his career at Federal Way High School, then playing for O’Dea and Garfield before heading back down to the Federal Way area. Enumclaw (5-2) boasts a 16-point win over Auburn Mountainview and a nine-point win over 4A Sumner already this season, led by 6-foot-4 senior combo guard Jason Feddema, who can knock down shots from the perimeter. Guard Kolven Posey is the top scorer for Auburn Mountainview, averaging 23.8 points. White River could also factor into the league race.
3A PSL
Lincoln and Bellarmine Prep, as they did last year, should duke it out for the Narrows Division title, and should both be dangerous when the postseason rolls around. Lincoln returns TNT All-Area first-team selection Davion Shareef-Dulaney, a sophomore guard who was the league MVP as a freshman after averaging 16.5 points. Lincoln lost guard Trey Collier (transferred to Silas) but also returns sophomore forward Justus Holt, who is poised to take a leap forward this winter. The Abes also return forward Kasey Williams and guard O’Shea Lamar. Bellarmine was one of the area’s best stories last season under first-year coach Bobby Moorehead, who injected some positive energy back into the program and took the Lions to the Class 3A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome in his first season. Bellarmine returns four starters: guards Kade Price and Ronnie Wiggins and forwards Birk Johnston and Ben Heisel. Bellarmine won the first meeting against Lincoln on Dec. 17, 67-61. Keep an eye on Gig Harbor and Silas, also. Senior forward Michael Masini (22.3 ppg, 13.1 rpg last season) is a double-double machine. Silas welcomes former Franklin Pierce coach John Barbee this winter and has one of the league’s top guards in Trey Collier, a Lincoln transfer. The Rams also return senior guard MakHai Pleasant-Tolliver. Central Kitsap has improved and has shown upset ability, too.
In the Nisqually Division, Lakes, Timberline and River Ridge are contenders. Lakes’ 5-foot-9 guard Darius Imperial might not be the tallest player on the court, but he’s knocking down over 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc and is averaging 29.8 points for Matt Robles’ Lancers through the first month of the season. River Ridge, meanwhile, will have the height advantage in the Nisqually, led by last year’s league defensive player of the year Dominic Harper, a 6-foot-7 forward who can jump out of the gym. 6-foot-3 guard Ryzen Nunez, also a football player for the Hawks, is a crafty scorer. Timberline returns four starters, highlighted by senior Damari Evans, a 6-foot guard who can light up the stat sheet.
2A SPSL
It’s a new look at Franklin Pierce this season, after losing father-son duo John and Javon Barbee. John left to take the coaching job at Silas, while Javon graduated after being named to the TNT’s All-Area team last winter, when he averaged 28.1 points and nine rebounds for the Cardinals. Despite the losses, Franklin Pierce still looks like the favorite, off to a 4-0 start in league play. Senior wing Hakeen Collins and senior guard Aiquari Emmanuel Johnson are averaging 15 points apiece through the early part of the season.
2A EVCO
Tumwater, Black Hills, Shelton and W.F. West could all factor into the league title race this winter. Tumwater’s junior-heavy team returns two starters: junior guard Luke Overbay, a Michigan baseball commit, and junior forward Landon Anchors. Black Hills returns four starters, including the reigning league MVP in 6-foot-3 junior wing James Morgan, a versatile inside-out scorer and high-level defender. Guards Talon Morrill, Peyton Faught and Quinton Morrill also return for the Wolves.
SMALL SCHOOLS
Annie Wright lost TNT All-Area player of the year Jeremiah Harshman and first-team selection Martin Kaupanger to graduation, but the Gators have reloaded and are off to a 6-1 start this winter, a record that includes a win over 3A White River. One storyline to watch: ninth grader James Thomas, the son of Curtis product and former NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas, kicked off his high school career this winter. The Gators have some length, too, with 6-foot-5 senior forward Brian Holliday and sophomore forward Austin Collins.
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
G Darius Alexander, Emerald Ridge, sr.
G Jace Andino, Bonney Lake, jr.
G Doni Burkett, Todd Beamer, sr.
G Trey Collier, Silas, jr.
F Hakeen Collins, Franklin Pierce, sr.
F Eli Davis, Bonney Lake, sr.
F Isaiah Englund, Auburn, jr.
G Damari Evans, Timberline, sr.
G Jason Feddema, Enumclaw, sr.
F Dominic Harper, River Ridge, sr.
G Miles Henry, Auburn, sr.
F Brian Holliday, Annie Wright, sr.
F Justus Holt, Lincoln, soph.
G Darius Imperial, Lakes, sr.
G Daniel Johnson, Auburn, sr.
F Michael Masini, Gig Harbor, sr.
F Jamaize McGriff, Emerald Ridge, sr.
F Giovanni Moimoi, Kentridge, sr.
F James Morgan, Black Hills, jr.
F Will Nasinec, Puyallup, sr.
G Will Norton, Sumner, sr.
G Ryzen Nunez, River Ridge, jr.
G Luke Overbay, Tumwater, jr.
G MakHai Pleasant-Tolliver, Silas, sr.
G Kolven Posey, Auburn Mountainview, sr.
G Kade Price, Bellarmine Prep, jr.
G Davion Shareef-Dulaney, Lincoln, soph.
F Mason Sonntag, Puyallup, sr.
G Brandon Tagle, Kentwood, sr.
G Ronnie Wiggins, Bellarmine Prep, jr,
