Runnin’ through Class 2A WIAA regional boys basketball: Lynden or Port Angeles? Flip a coin

What is the top-billed matchup? Who is the darkhorse to make a run in Yakima? Which player is the biggest lock to drop 30?

With the 16-team field set for regional round of the WIAA Class 2A boys basketball tournament, set for March 2-5 at the Yakima SunDome, here is SBLive's weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch — and game score predictions:

(SBLIVE'S FINAL BOYS BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS)

CLASS 2A BOYS REGIONALS

Port Angeles has already beaten No. 1 North Kitsap this season, and now has a shot at No. 2 Lynden on Friday night / Photo by Jeff Halstead

TOP BILLING

Port Angeles is a newcomer to this stage having made its first regional appearance since 2011 — especially compared to Lynden's tradition. Watch two great coaches in Lynden's Brian Roper and Port Angeles' Kasey Ulin go head-to-head in a coin flip matchup on paper.

BEST BET TO SCORE 30?

He set the school record for 57 points in a win over Kingston. And he did it on 24-of-27 shooting. A key cog in the Vikings' 2020 title run, it's not clear if any team in the state can stop — or even slow — Jonas La Tour's hot hand.

RIDE THIS DARKHORSE

A late-season league win over No. 1 North Kitsap showed the team what it was made of. With post player John Vaara an interior threat, and Wyatt Dunning an inside-outside playmaker, the Roughriders are poised to make noise.

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PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

Cavin Holden has this R.A. Long attack firing on all cylinders as it faces White River in the regional round

No. 1 North Kitsap vs. No. 8 Sehome

6 p.m. Friday, Foss High School, Tacoma

Skinny: A loss late in the regular season might have been the splash of cold water the Vikings needed. Sophomore Cade Orness was masterful in a district title pursuit.

Pick: North Kitsap, 70-55.

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No. 2 Lynden vs. No. 7 Port Angeles

8 p.m. Friday, Mount Vernon High School

Skinny: Can Port Angeles take advantage of its size down low? Keeping John Vaara (6-foot-9) and Wyatt Dunning (6-5) off the glass is a tall task.

Pick: Lynden, 78-77. 

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No. 3 R.A. Long vs. No. 6 White River

8 p.m. Saturday, Mark Morris High School, Longview

Skinny: The Lumberjacks were winning convincingly when they set the tone early. Can Cavin Holden, Jamond Harris, Aaron Ofstun and company do so against Rylan Donovan and White River?

Pick: R.A. Long, 66-65.

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No. 4 Pullman vs. No. 5 Tumwater

4 p.m. Saturday, University High School, Spokane

Skinny: Grayson Hunt, Tanner Barbour and the Greyhounds survived the District 8 gauntlet. Tumwater can match size, and Luke Brewer keeps defenses off-balance with how he attacks the basket. Who steps up if it goes down to the wire?

Pick: Pullman, 60-54.

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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEWS

John John Barbee and the Franklin Pierce Cardinals will have a tall task stopping 6-foot-10 Soren Dalan, of W.F. West

No. 9 Lakewood vs. No. 16 Sammamish

4 p.m. Saturday, Everett Community College

Skinny: Cougars beat a strong Burlington-Edison team to get this far. Can it continue to win with its season on the line?

Pick: Lakewood, 60-50.

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No. 10 Franklin Pierce vs. No. 15 W.F. West

6 p.m. Saturday, Mount Tahoma High School, Tacoma

Skinny: Bearcats center Dalan Soren (20 points, 18 boards, five blocks) was a force in the regional-qualifying win over Ridgefield. W.F. West holds the  size advantage, but it keep John John Barbee (30-plus points per game) at bay?

Pick: W.F. West, 54-50.

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No. 11 Mark Morris vs. No. 14 Prosser

Noon Saturday, W.F. West High School, Chehalis

Skinny: Neither team will overwhelm with size, but which boasts better guard play? Pick your poison when trying to stop Mark Morris's backcourt.

Pick: Mark Morris, 70-58.

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No. 12 Grandview vs. No. 13 Enumclaw

Noon Saturday, Davis High School, Yakima

Skinny: Edge goes to the CWAC champs in a close game — Grandview averaged a league-best 10.6 made free throws per game.

Pick: Grandview, 63-57.