SBLive's debut 3A Washington high school boys basketball power rankings (2021-22): Can anyone catch Auburn?

With the high school basketball season well underway across the state of Washington, SBLive is continuing to debut its boys basketball power rankings by classification.

Up next, is 3A. These rankings are based on observations and conversations with coaches and statewide media. They will be updated weekly starting in January.

SBLIVE'S 3A POWER RANKINGS

1. Auburn (5-0)

A core guard trio of Tre Blassingame, Maleek Arington and Kaden Hansen play overwhelmingly fast, share the ball and have a Trojans team stacked with knock-down shooters out to a blistering start. They’ve been playing together — and dreaming about this season — for years. Now, they’re taking the state by storm. Can anyone catch them?

2. Garfield (5-0)

Brandon Roy has taken another step back as head coach, but the Bulldogs are well-equipped to defend their 2020 3A state title. A returning core headlined by 6-foot-6 junior forwards Jaylin Stewart and Sherell McCullum Jr. and experienced guards was bolstered by the unexpected late November return of four-star combo guard and Washington commit Koren Johnson, a volume scorer who had transferred to nationally-competitive Wasatch Academy. The Bulldogs have won their first five games by an average of 38 points.

3. O’Dea (5-0)

Blue chips Paolo Banchero and John Christofilis opted out of the COVID-shortened spring season, but the Fighting Irish went 11-2 and were a last-second shot away from a Metro League title. Nine varsity players return, and their two returning starters — Owen Moriarty and Takeo Staten-Sylvester — were among their top-three scorers. The Jason Kerr-coached group is deep, defends well and boasts size in 6-foot-7 junior wing Miles Clark, 6-foot-9 sophomore and 6-foot-8 senior Russell MacFarlane.

4. West Seattle (6-0)

Senior guard Isaiah Watts — the son of former Washington standout Donald Watts and grandson of Sonics legend Slick Watts — can score when needed, and the Wildcats have put a strong supporting cast around him in head coach Dan Kriley’s third year at the helm, evident in their 6-0 start.

5. Rainier Beach (5-0)

Never count out a Mike Bethea-coached team. The Vikings stay competitive in the Metro League behind 6-foot-6, 280-pound senior Josh Conerly, one of the country’s top-rated linemen and Beach’s team captain. He’s surrounded by a talented group of athletes that picked up a strong early win over Seattle Prep, 61-59 — several of whom were a part of a surprise run to the 3A state semifinals in 2020.

6. Seattle Prep (4-2)

The Panthers have as dynamic one-two punch as any in record-setting point guard Braeden Smith and 6-foot-6 swingman Tyler Mrus — both future Division I players, seniors and multi-year starters who grew up playing together. Smith’s dazzling last-second finish lifted the Panthers to a Metro League title in the spring. They return junior Christian King, who was hurt last season, and senior Neven Marinkovic, among others. Can they lead Prep through another Metro League gauntlet to a deep postseason run?

7. Mt. Spokane (6-1)

Long, balanced, defensively sound. The Wildcats have several new faces after graduating program cornerstones Tyson Degenhart and Jojo Anderson. 6-foot-5 forward Maverick Sanders is a versatile two-way player who can defend big, and early returns from their point guard platoon — sophomore Ryan Lafferty and senior Xavier Kamalu-Vargas — are favorable. Will compete with two other strong teams in Ferris and University for the top 3A spot in the 4A/3A Greater Spokane League. Nice early wins over Central Valley, Tahoma and 2A power North Kitsap. Lone loss to north Idaho power Lake City.

8. Bellevue (5-0)

Not too dissimilar from its 3A state championship-winning football team, the Wolverines are a balanced group that play well together and defends well as a unit. That starts with 6-foot-3 junior guard Alex Yu, an off-ball guard who plays and defends multiple positions. Yu could very well be the tam’s leading scorer, but there’s no one player defenses can key in on with junior point guard Brady Kageyama, senior Noah Mont-ros and a strong interior presence in 6-foot-7 Hogan Hansen and 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior Tom Nash.

9. Ferris (5-0)

Led by a guard trio of Trayce Atkins, Puget Sound-bound Kobe Smith and 6-foot-2 senior Ray Ray Bergerson, a transfer from the Boise area, the Saxons have rattled off impressive back-to-back wins over Gonzaga Prep (by 21) and University (52-50). Head coach Sean Mallon has his group looking like legitimate Greater Spokane League challengers. Watch out for sophomore guard Dylan Skaife.

10. Gig Harbor (6-0)

The Tides have balance and play well together. It starts with 6-foot-6 junior guard/wing Luke Browne, off-ball guard Will Landram, point guard, facilitator and on-court leader Christian Parrish and off-ball guard Asher Raquiza. A two-point win over 3A South Sound Conference foe Timberline headlines their hot start.

First three out: University, Arlington, Mount Tahoma.