Washington high school (WIAA) 1B boys basketball regionals 2024: Lummi eyes first title in nearly a decade

With the 16-team field set for regional round of the 2023-24 WIAA Class 1B boys basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:

---

TOP BILLING

Top-seeded Lummi is riding a 22-game winning streak as it chases its first championship since 2016, but defending champ and No. 2 Wellpinit won’t go quietly with a loaded roster of its own.

BEST BET TO SCORE 30

Lummi sophomore Jerome Toby is already a three-year starter and does it all for the Blackhawks, including fill It up, which he should get a few chances to do.

RIDE THIS DARKHORSE

Eleventh-seeded Muckleshoot Tribal is 4-3 against teams in the field, and were competitive in a couple of the losses. With multiple games against Tulalip Heritage, Sound Christian and Neah Bay, the Kings are well-tested.

---

PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES (Bracket)

No. 1 Lummi Nation (22-1) vs. No. 8 Naselle (19-3)

Noon Saturday, Mount Vernon HS

Skinny: The top-seeded Blackhawks draws a tough opener, drawing the Columbia Valley regular-season champs and league MVP Jacob Lindstrom.

Pick: Lummi Nation, 67-59

_____

No. 2 Wellpinit (20-2) vs. No. 7 Mossyrock (16-6)

4 p.m. Saturday, Cheney HS

Skinny: Last year’s champ still has a powerful lineup with 6-foot shooter Jordan Montgomery and double-double machine Grant Denison, and will face the district champion Vikings and big scorer Zack Munoz.

Pick: Wellpinit, 76-63

_____

No. 3 Moses Lake Christian (20-1) vs. No. 6 Cusick (19-3)

8 p.m. Friday, Moses Lake HS

Skinny: Moses Lake Christian has ripped off 19 straight victories, but the 2022 champion Panthers – led by the coach’s son, Bode Seymour – could be ready to pull an upset.

Pick: Cusick. 54-51

_____

No. 4 DeSales (20-4) vs. No. 5 Neah Bay (17-4)

2 p.m. Saturday, Kamiakin HS

Skinny: In another doozy of an opener, the Irish has won 13 straight and 17 of 18 while Neah Bay was rolling before a tight loss to Lummi in the district final.

Pick: Neah Bay. 63-59

_____

WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

No. 9 Tulalip Heritage (17-8) vs. No. 16 Columbia Adventist (16-8)

8 p.m. Saturday, Arlington High School

Skinny: The Hawks’ rugged schedule, which featured four matchups against Lummi and another two against Muckleshoot Tribal, shoo have them primed for their opener.

Pick: Tulalip Heritage, 67-52.

_____

No. 10 Soap Lake (18-6) vs. No. 15 Summit Classical (17-7)

6 p.m. Friday, Moses Lake High School

Skinny: Soap Lake’s schedule – three games against Moses Lake Christian with one decided by a bucket – could give the Eagles the edge against the Bellevue-based Archers.

Pick: Soap Lake, 65-60.

_____

No. 11 Muckleshoot Tribal (19-6) vs. No. 14 Wilbur-Creston-Keller (14-7)

2 p.m. Saturday, Auburn High School

Skinny: A 10-game winning streak pushed the Kings into the top 10 before they fell twice in district play. If they regain their form, they could make some noise.

Pick: Muckleshoot Tribal, 71-63.

_____

No. 12 Oakesdale (16-7) vs. No. 13 Sound Christian (17-7)

8 p.m. Friday, Central Valley High School

Skinny: The Nighthawks reside in the perennially tough Southeast 1B, from which traditional power Sunnyside Christian couldn’t advance, and should be tourney ready.

Pick: Oakesdale, 63-56.

_____