2A boys basketball: Great Northern League overview, predictions, top players

We're taking an inside look at the top teams, best players, emerging X-factors and projected finish for each Class 2A boys basketball league around the state of
2A boys basketball: Great Northern League overview, predictions, top players
2A boys basketball: Great Northern League overview, predictions, top players /

We're taking an inside look at the top teams, best players, emerging X-factors and projected finish for each Class 2A boys basketball league around the state of Washington.

Here is a look at the Great Northern League:

TOP TEAM

Clarkston: Finished fourth at state last year after getting knocked out of the 2A quarterfinals by league opponent Pullman. While Clarkston lost 6-10 Brandton Chatfield to Washington State, the Bantams return a future college guard in Tru Allen and, among others, Chatfield’s younger brother Wyatt, a 6-8 junior, has stepped into a starting position.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Tru Allen is banged up with injuries from football season, as well as a sprained ankle and dislocated pinky from the basketball season. Though he hasn’t been at 100 percent all year, the returning first team all-GNL selection is averaging 22 points, six assists and three steals per game.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR

The GNL has historically produced strong 2A state contenders, namely when Pullman and Clarkston won back-to-back in 2012-13 and 2014-15. Reclassification will reshape the District 7 2As next season, but before then, don’t count out a Clarkston or Pullman to make it through the CWAC/GNL crossover and make a run in the Yakima SunDome. 

PREDICTED LEAGUE ORDER OF FINISH

1. Clarkston

2. Pullman

3. West Valley (Spokane)

4. East Valley (Spokane)

5. Cheney


Published
Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports
ANDY BUHLER, SBLIVE SPORTS

Andy Buhler is a Regional Editor of Texas and the national breaking news desk. He brings more than five years of experience covering high school sports across the state of Washington and beyond, where he covered the likes of Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason served on state tournament seeding committees. He works on the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national boys basketball rankings. He has covered everything from the Final Four, MLS in Atlanta to local velodrome before diving into the world of preps. His bylines can be found in The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington), The Associated Press, The Columbian (Vancouver, Washington), The Oregonian and more. He holds a degree from Gonzaga and is based out of Portland, Oregon.