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Schools

Renton Boys Look for First State Basketball Title since 1967

They head to Yakima for 2A quarterfinal action Thursday.

The Renton boys basketball team has a good chance in securing the school's fifth state basketball title, starting Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 2A Hardwood Classic at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

During Sunday's draw at the WIAA in Renton, Assistant Coach Rashaad Powell was overjoyed with where the team is in the bracket. The Indians (23-2) will open against Sequim (21-4) at 10:30 a.m.

Renton along with Lynden are the early favorites to meet up in the championship game on Saturday evening.

Find out what's happening in Rentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch will update scores of each game on Twitter and have post-game coverage each evening along with a preview of the next game.

If the boys advance to Saturday, Patch will be in Yakima with live updates on Twitter with photos, play-by-play and recap of the entire tournament on Sunday.

Find out what's happening in Rentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Complete coverage (scores and stats) of the 2A Boys Tournament is available via the Yakima Herald at Tourney Town.

If you go, here is a Fan Link, and information about the Yakima Valley SunDome.

Here is the breakdown of the teams (by brackets):

Burlington Tigers (16-8)

Beat White River 51-50 in 2A Regionals

Max Prep Rating - 7, Score Czar Rating - 11   AP Ranking - n/a

Key Players--Austin Von Herbulis and Isaak Davies are the driving force for the Tigers. Guard Rudy Mataya scored a last-second lay-up to send the Tigers to state. This team could surprise Pullman in the quarterfinals despite the team's overall record of 16-8.

Pullman Greyhounds (26-1)

Beat Ellensburg 61-56 in 2A Regionals

Max Prep Rating - 2, Score Czar Rating - 2   AP Ranking - 2

Key Players--Corey Langerveld (6-foot-6 senior is one of three seniors on the team. He scored 28 points in the win over Ellensburg) and Race Martin (6-foot-4 sophomore scored 14 points in regionals).

Sequim Wolves (21-4)

Beat Hockinson 51-48 in 2A Regionals

Max Prep Rating - 13, Score Czar Rating - 23   AP Ranking - 8

Key Players - Jayson Brocklesby (senior who averages 20.8 points per game, but only shoots 57% from the free throw line). Gabe Carter (senior scores 11.4 points per game, 6.6 assists, leads team in rebounds and steals).

Renton Indians (23-2)

Beat River Ridge 73-57 in 2A Regionals

Max Prep Rating - 6 , Score Czar Rating - 3   AP Ranking - 3

Key Players--Every player on this team has provided something to be a key player. Renton doesn't have one star, but they are led by Jonathan Patterson (14 points per game) and Lavelle Smith (12.6 points per game). Smith was the talk on Sunday among 2A schools and media about his ability to shoot, rebound and shoot again. Don't count out Justin Pienh and his ability to shoot three-pointers.

West Valley (Yakima) Rams (21-4)

Beat Wapato 70-67 in 2A Regionals

Max Prep Rating - 3, Score Czar Rating - 4   AP Ranking - 7

Key Players--Jalen Peake, Austin Strock and Jace VanDeBrake provide the coverage for the Rams, who required a double overtime to beat Wapato. The Rams only shot 37 percent in the victory. They will face last year's champion Lynden in the quarterfinals.

Lynden Lions (23-1)

Beat Sumner 58-39

Max Prep Rating - 1 , Score Czar Rating - 1   AP Ranking - 1

Key Players--The returning 2A champions bring back 11 of 13 players including Josh Kraght (sr. G), John Shine (sr. G), Dak Shagren (sr. G), Zach Vis (sr. F), and Matt Meyer (sr. C). The team's only loss was against Tahoma before the holiday break.

Ancortes Seahawks (19-7)

Beat Mark Morris 58-49 in 2A Regionals

Max Prep Rating - 5 , Score Czar Rating - 6   AP Ranking - 6

Key Players--Sam D’Amelio scored 15 points in their regional win over Mark Morris, Matt Aldirdge and Andrew Medalia each scored 10. Beyond the three the team has limited depth.

Clover Park Warriors (20-6)

Beat Olympic 62-38 in 2A Regionals

Max Prep Rating - 4 , Score Czar Rating - 7   AP Ranking - 4

Key Players--Junior standout David Crisp scored 26 points in their Regional win over Olympic, and Phillip Winston added 13 points.

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