Looking Ahead: Deer Park

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a new series of articles I will be coming out with, looking ahead to how teams will look next season. Here we will continue with the 1A state runner-up, Deer Park HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Park had a phenomenal season last year with breakout freshman [player_tooltip player_id='928125' first='Ashlan' last='Bryant'] and her sister, [player_tooltip player_id='663650' first='Emma' last='Bryant'], both leading the charge for the squad. They lost 1 game all season long and that was the state championship game. They dominated all season long beating big time teams in Lynden Christian, Bellevue Christian, and Lakeside (9 mile) who they beat 3 times. They lost a close one to Nooksack Valley in the state championship by 3 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With every single player on the team returning and the Bryant sisters seemingly improving their overall games, Deer Park is destined for another big time season. They will once again be a top team in the entire state but will be playing in the 2A class after moving up. They could very well go just as deep as they did last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928125"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66745e483b86d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashlan was one of the best players in the entire 2027 class last year, dominating the whole season and helping lead Deer Park deep into the State tournament. She is a phenomenal shooter, being able to get her shot off from the dribble or off the catch. She facilitates the offense to an insanely high level due to her high basketball IQ. I am excited to see the growth in her game next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["663650"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66745e483b8ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emma is one of the best 2 way players in the 2026 class, being able to guard opposing teams best players and causing havoc every game. She shoots the ball at a high level too, having smooth jumper. She is quick and athletic being able to run the floor in transition to get easy buckets. She is going to have a huge junior year next season, 4 year coaches should have her on their radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other players to watch for:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='659454' first='Brooklyn' last='Coe'] </em>- Shifty guard who can shoot the ball well. Defends at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1048796' first='Olivia' last='Gannon']</em> - Going to be an impactful player for this team, knocking down shots and doing the little things well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='580528' first='Jacey' last='Boesel'] </em>- Transfer from Okanagan HS, high IQ guard who is a big time playmaker. She sees the defenses weaknesses quickly and attacks that weakness. Will be a big time player for Deer Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->