Pre-Season Predictions: Top Teams in 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school school year is set to begin in a few weeks, which means the basketball season is on the way! Here are a handful of 3A teams to keep an eye on for the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Garfield HS</strong>: 2024 State Champions - Garfield won their 3rd straight state championship last year but with star player Katie Fisco headed to Oregon, they will have a new look next year. I think they will still be one of the top teams in the class. Sarah Lessing will be back and will have a prominent role on the offensive side and will step up with a bigger role on the offensive side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='391868' first='Jayda' last='Lewis'] will have a big role for the team too, being a guard who can attack downhill and knock down shots at a high rate. [player_tooltip player_id='587438' first='Star' last='Smiley'], [player_tooltip player_id='753676' first='Devyn' last='Hall'], [player_tooltip player_id='751292' first='Mariah' last='Roy'], and [player_tooltip player_id='688523' first='Lisa' last='Stewart'] would be more names to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mead HS</strong>: 2024 State Runner-Up - Mead has a great season last year, being the top team in the class throughout the whole season until Garfield upset them in the state championship game. Addison Wells-Morrison will be returning and will have an even bigger role for the squad with some seniors graduating. She has great length and attacks the ball well, she'll have a big season. Reese Fredrick, [player_tooltip player_id='1051350' first='Charlotte' last='Picicci'], [player_tooltip player_id='1047183' first='Julie' last='Thoet'] are some other players who will be key for the squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Snohomish HS</strong>: Lost in 2024 semi-finals - Snohomish is a young squad who will once again be in the mix for a top team in the class. [player_tooltip player_id='1048812' first='Kendall' last='Hammer'] will be back after having a phenomenal sophomore year. She is patient with the ball in her hands and gets to the rim efficently. Tyler Gildersleeve-Stiles will be back for her senior year and will once again likely be the main offensive option for the squad. She gets to her spots well and knows the game very well. Cora Larson, Baella Stich, and Lizzy Allyn are some other key players to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeside (Seattle) HS</strong>: Lost in 2024 semi-finals - Lakeside will be missing Mia Broom, who was their top player last year and leading scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='753694' first='Lili' last='Brown'] will be back and will be ready to take on a bigger role on the offensive side of the ball. She has a lethal shot, knocking down many contested threes. [player_tooltip player_id='591764' first='Willa' last='Chinn'], a recent Cornell committ, will back for the team too and will take on a bigger role next season. She will likely be the number one option for the team and will showcase her abilities to score at all 3 levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bonney Lake HS</strong>: Lost in 2024 quarter-finals - [player_tooltip player_id='751212' first='Issabelle' last='Meki'] will be a main piece of this team next season as she is the only returning starter for the squad. Azy Jackson is ready for a huge season as she has shown tremendous improvement over the summer. She is a 3 level scorer who facilitates the offense perfectly for her squad. Sophia Mackay will be back as well for her senior year, Sophia is a stellar defender who plays with a high IQ on the court. Natalie Patton and Camryn Kolwyck are also some names could have bigger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->