Devin’s State Title Predictions: Class 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season beginning very soon, here are my state title contenders in the 3A class. I will also be predicting each classes state champion in these series of articles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Class 3A:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season Central Valley won the state title after going a perfect 27-0 but, with losing Brynn McGaughy and other key seniors they could be a new look team. Lakeside (Seattle) placed 2nd and will return a good amount of talent, but Willa Chinn was a big part of that squad and will need to be replaced. North Thurston got 3rd and they also will see 6 seniors leave. With [player_tooltip player_id='579809' first='Shayla' last='Cordis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='936135' first='Sierra' last='Cordis'] coming back, they will be a team to keep an eye on still. Bellevue surprised everyone last year at the state tournament taking 4th as the 17th seed, earning their way to the end. They will return and gain a lot of talent, so should be a team who can contend again. Garfield placed 5th and will see a lot of solid talent come back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bellevue:</strong> Bellevue will see a lot of talent return with Syesha Simaton, [player_tooltip player_id='898163' first='Lauryn' last='Keilman'], and Malia Kaufusi being their trio group of seniors. [player_tooltip player_id='1259625' first='Trinity' last='Palmer-Wilson'] will be back for her junior year and ready to make a big impact for this team. [player_tooltip player_id='1151396' first='Nayvi' last='Robinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='985970' first='Dilynn' last='Johnson'] will be a dynamic sophomore backcourt, with both being able to lead this team and play the point guard position. Bellevue is also stacked with a TON of freshman talent, including 3 of the top 6 players in the 2029 class. [player_tooltip player_id='1239084' first='Lucia' last='Mayorquin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1309406' first='Savannah' last='Jeannot'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1316229' first='Iyla' last='Jones'] are all names to keep an eye on. Watch out for Tana Tsuchikawa and Immy Wetlaufer who are freshman ready to showcase their talent as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Blanchet:</strong> This is a team who I think could make a lot of noise this season due to them almost returning everyone. Only 2 seniors graduating from last years team so they will have good experience at the varsity level. [player_tooltip player_id='969090' first='Brooke' last='Campbell'] is back and has been gaining a lot of traction on the recruiting sides of things. She's a player who can score from all 3 levels and make a big impact on the defensive side of the ball. Neko Joesph will be back to handle the ball and be an elite defender. This is a team to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeside (Seattle): </strong>As I mentioned, Lakeside will only see 3 seniors graduate off last years team. [player_tooltip player_id='753694' first='Lili' last='Brown'] has all the capability in my eyes to fill Willa Chinn's scoring void and be a player who they can rely on after showing the trust in her last year. [player_tooltip player_id='985976' first='Helena' last='Christofilis'] will be back for her sophomore year too and I expect her game to take a big jump this season. They will once again be a team who can take home the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH:</em> North Thurston, Eastside Catholic, White River</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Devin's 3A State Title Prediction</em>: Bellevue over Lakeside (Seattle)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->