Evaluating the RPI Rankings
Washington’s RPI rankings are out and have now been updated all throughout the Holidays, giving everyone a more clear vision of where teams stand midway through the season. There is a lot of basketball to be played and some teams…
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Continue ReadingWashington’s RPI rankings are out and have now been updated all throughout the Holidays, giving everyone a more clear vision of where teams stand midway through the season. There is a lot of basketball to be played and some teams have positioned themselves nicely, while others have some serious work to do with the thick of league play upon us.
Number ones from each class:
1B- Pomeroy HS
2B- La Conner HS
1A- Cashmere HS
2A- Lynden HS
3A- Bethel HS
4A- Woodinville HS
Pomeroy was a runner up from a year ago and returns first team all state performer and future University of Providence player, Madison Dixon. The 6’0 senior forward has a motor that never stops and she is a tough matchup for teams at the 1B level as a result. La Conner has one of the most balanced attacks in the state in the 2B class. They have four players that average 11-12 points, making it difficult to pinpoint a single player to shut down. 2020 5’8 G Morgan Herrera has been strong, averaging 12 points, 7 rebounds and over 3 steals per game. Cashmere has been a contender in each of the last several years and are off to a really strong start this season once again. Lousiville signee Hailey Van Lith is on a terror and teammates like 2022 5’8 G Riley Johnson have been stepping up and making shots when Van Lith receives double and triple teams. Riley is the daughter of a coach and displays a strong work ethic and basketball IQ. 2A Lynden really put themselves on the map after a big win over defending 4A champions, Eastlake. Lynden is led by Master’s University signee, Liv Tjoelker. The 5’8 guard has the motor and skillset at the guard position that any high school coach would love to have on their team. Bethel has found their early season groove in the 3A class and shows little signs of slowing down. They have one of the of the top unsigned seniors in the state in 5’9 G Tiarra Brown. She is a legitimate Division 1 talent, but not the only talent on the roster. 2021 D1 recruit Esmeralda Morales is one of the smoothest point guards in the state and can score from all three levels. Woodinville is looking like the early season favorite in the 4A class. 2021 5’10 PF Mia Hughes is averaging 22 points and 7 rebounds per game and is the engine behind everything. The player to not overlook is 2022 5’8 PG Veronica Sheffey who has been good for right around 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game.
Two talented teams in need of a quick turnaround:
(4A) University HS- The Titans currently stand at 4-6 on the season, which has been a big surprise to many around the state. They came into the season with high expectations with 3 D1 signed players and a fourth player headed to a D3. They currently rank as the number 37 team in 4A according to the RPI. Fortunately for them, they still have 10 league games to gain ground, but it is no easy task in the GSL. If there is any team that could turn their season around, it would be University, thanks to the talents of Colorado State signee Elizabeth Boni and Portland signees Tyler and Jacksen McCliment-Call. Defense will be key for University who is currently giving up 61.8 points per game.
(4A) Eastlake HS- The defending state champions came into the season with real hopes of repeating, as they return 6’3 Arizona State signee Keeli Burton-Oliver and 6’1 junior D1 recruit Haley Huard. They have hit a really rocky patch in the season, losing four straight and five of their last six. Eastlake has size at the post and wing position to contend. They have some youth at the guard position, so there has been a learning curve, but when it comes down to it, Eastlake has more than enough pieces to turn things around. They currently rank as the number 31 team in 4A.