Washington high school (WIAA) 3A boys basketball regionals 2024: Top seed Auburn, three Metro League teams top talented field

Seven of top eight seeds in 3A field reached Tacoma Dome last winter - and five reached state trophy games.

With the 16-team field set for regional round of the 2023-24 WIAA Class 3A boys basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch — and game score predictions:

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CLASS 3A BOYS REGIONALS (Bracket)

Photo by Todd Milles

TOP BILLING

3A NSPL and 3A District 3/4 champion Auburn does not have an in-state loss, is already guaranteed a third consecutive trip to Tacoma Dome — Trojans won 3A title in 2022, and placed fifth in 2023 — and has the talent to win it all again.

BEST BET TO SCORE 30

Two-time 3A NPSL MVP Jaylen Petty closed out Auburn’s district title win with 29 points, five 3-pointers and two dunks two days after his nose was broken in a semifinals win.

RIDE THIS DARKHORSE

No. 17 Lincoln of Tacoma has only five losses this winter — and four are single-digit defeats to higher-ranked teams in statte brackets. Forward Omarion Boston will look to lead Abes back to Tacoma Dome for first time since 2019.

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Photo by Lane Mathews

PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

No. 1 Auburn (24-1) vs. No. 8 North Central (18-5)

8 p.m. Friday, Auburn High School

Skinny: North Central has size, and upset GSL champion Mount Spokane for District 8 title last week, but Auburn is 20-0 against in-state opponents — 18 double-digit wins — led by guard Jaylen Petty.

Pick: Auburn, 73-65

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No. 2 Eastside Catholic (19-6) vs. No. 7 North Thurston (20-4)

8 p.m. Friday, Issaquah High School

Skinny: Matchup between Crusaders 6-11 forward Jacob Cofie and Rams 6-7 forward Ray Adams is one to watch in contest that could be decided by interior play. Virginia signee was big for Eastside Catholic in Sea-King title run.

Pick: Eastside Catholic, 78-64

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No. 3 Garfield (15-5) vs. No. 6 Mount Spokane (19-4)

4 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue College

Skinny: Defending state champion Bulldogs are well-prepared for postseason after enduring always-tough 3A Metro League schedule, winning league tournament behind last year’s 3A tournament MVP Legend Smiley.

Pick: Garfield, 70-58

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No. 4 O’Dea (17-9) vs. No. 5 Mountlake Terrace (21-2)

8 p.m. Friday, Bellevue College

Skinny: Regular season 3A Metro League champion O’Dea can control tempo and contain opponents on defense, but will have to get past 3A/2A Wesco champion Mountlake Terrace, which has won 13 of past 14 games.

Pick: O’Dea, 67-65

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Photo by Vince Miller

WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

No. 9 West Seattle (16-11) vs. No. 17 Lincoln of Tacoma (19-5)

2 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue College

Skinny: Lincoln of Tacoma posted a five-point non-league victory over Wildcats back in late December, but can Abes upend West Seattle a second time with a trip to the Tacoma Dome on the line?

Pick: Lincoln of Tacoma, 58-56

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No. 10 Rainier Beach (13-10) vs. No. 15 Stadium (18-5)

8 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue College

Skinny: Tigers have momentum following buzzer-beating victory over tough Timberline team in regional play-in game, but can they upend perennial state power Vikings, who haven’t missed out on Tacoma Dome since 2011?

Pick: Rainier Beach, 67-63

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No. 19 Marysville-Getchell (18-6) vs. No. 11 Arlington (18-6)

6 p.m. Saturday, Arlington High School

Skinny: Marysville-Getchell has won nine of past 10 games — but one loss in that stretch was in 3A District 1 semifinals, to an Arlington team that went on to win the district crown and has only two losses since December.

Pick: Arlington, 61-57

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No. 12 Mount Vernon (20-3) vs. No. 13 Todd Beamer (18-4)

6 p.m. Saturday, Mount Vernon High School

Skinny: Both programs looking to end Tacoma Dome droughts — Mount Vernon last advanced in 2007, and Todd Beamer in 2014 — and Bulldogs have won 13 of past 14 games this winter, paced by three double-digit scorers.

Pick: Mount Vernon, 67-61

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