Big Remaining Regular Season Games…

Washington is in the final week of regular season basketball. League and/or district tournament playoffs are coming up quickly and will set the stage for the regional round of 16. Every game really matters at this point. The WIAA's RPI ranking system takes ALL games into account leading up to the regional round. So, district playoff and district championship games will play a role in how teams are seeded for regionals. A higher ranking naturally means an easier matchup and a potential bye in round one of the state tournament if a school boasts a high RPI ranking and finished well in their district. This is a lot of consume, but the <a href="http://www.wiaa.com/subcontent.aspx?SecID=1186">http://www.wiaa.com/subcontent.aspx?SecID=1186</a> WIAA website helps break it all down in full detail. That being said, there are a few big games to keep an eye on for league positioning, RPI ranking and bragging rights. <em><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>3A West Seattle @ Seattle Prep, 1/30 (7:30pm) </strong></span></em> #5<span style="text-decoration: underline"> West Seattle</span> boasts 5'8  WSU signee <strong>Grace Sarver</strong>, 5'7 Portland State signee <strong>Kelsey Lenzie</strong>, and 2020 Division 1 recruit <strong>Meghan Fiso</strong> at 5'10. The depth at guard is about as good at West Seattle as any other team in the state. Although undersized, they pose a threat with their foot speed and all around skill. #10 <span style="text-decoration: underline">Seattle Prep</span> is youthful, but talented. 2021 5'11 W <strong>Tamia Stricklin</strong> is a Division 1 offered lefty that can play inside and out. 5'9 G <strong>Bea Franklin</strong> is a Division 1 soccer recruit that plays an aggressive brand of basketball. She is the senior leader of the team and they will need her and Tamia to have pretty big games to knock off West Seattle. This win would be huge for their RPI ranking. &nbsp; <em><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>4A Lewis and Clark @ University, 1/31 (5:30pm)</strong></span></em> #5 <span style="text-decoration: underline">Lewis and Clark</span> has long been thought of as a contender at the 4A level this season. 6'0 SF <strong>Jacinta Buckley</strong> will suit up for UNLV next season, but she has her sights set on a state title first. She is a 20-10 threat every night and a load for teams to keep off the boards. They will have to step it up on the road in this matchup versus a talented U-High team. A win will secure their top 5 positioning heading into the playoffs. #16 <span style="text-decoration: underline">University</span> was hands down one of the favorites to win 4A before the season started. Transfers from Post Falls <strong>Jacksen Mccliment-call </strong>and <strong>Tyler Mccliment-call</strong> are both Division 1 recruits as members of the 2020 class. Fellow junior<strong> Ellie Boni</strong> and 6'0 Southern Utah commit <strong>Kinsley Barrington</strong> round out a talented junior class for the Titans. 2019 Whitman signee <strong>Megan Taylor</strong> is an X-Factor at 6'1. U-High is due for a big win and a home game versus top 5 LC might be their moment to carry momentum into the playoffs. The time is now for the 14-5 Titans. &nbsp; <em><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>3A Hudson's Bay @ Prairie, 1/30 (7:00pm)</strong></span></em> #19 <span style="text-decoration: underline">Hudson's Bay</span> has a solid amount of talent on their roster including 5'9 2022 <strong>Aniyah Hampton </strong>who is averaging a team high 17 points per game as a freshman. 5'11 2021<strong> Jaydia Martin</strong> also provides athleticism and height for Hudson's Bay at 14 points per game. This team gave Prairie one of their closest games of the season and held Prairie to 1/32 from the three point line. A win would be an upset, but it is huge experience for this young squad before the playoffs. A win could move them into the top 16 of the RPI. #1 <span style="text-decoration: underline">Prairie</span> is definitely one of the favorites in 3A. They have their sights set on things bigger than a single league game, but a win will secure their number one ranking, at least for another week. Their lone loss came to national power Archbishop Mitty and they have not looked back since. Portland State signee 5'8 PG <strong>Cassidy Gardner</strong> has been extremely impressive this season and she will lead the charge versus Hudson's Bay and beyond. Fresno State signee 6'3 F <strong>Brooke Walling</strong> is a left-handed load in the paint and a mismatch problem for most teams. Prairie is the favorite to win this game, but they will defineitly want to keep the wins rolling as they try to maintain their number one ranking.