Runnin’ through Class 1B WIAA regional boys basketball: Cusick, Lummi headline seeding showdown

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

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

(SBLIVE'S FINAL BOYS BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS)

CLASS 1B BOYS REGIONALS

TOP BILLING

Two fast-paced systems. Two groups that grew up playing together. Two long-tenured head coaches in Rob Seymour and Jerome Toby. And the most exciting part? Since No. 2 Cusick and No. 7 Lummi hail from opposite corners of the state, they seldom — if ever — match up.

BEST BET TO SCORE 30

Moses Lake Christian Academy senior Pierre Boorman / (Photo courtesy Moses Lake Christian Academy)

Moses Lake Christian Academy senior Pierre Boorman is the rare player who can take over a game on a moment’s notice. The 5-9 senior guard, averaging 21.7 points, six boards and 3.6 steals per game, is agile, athletic and can create separation off the dribble — or just back up and shoot it.

RIDE THIS DARKHORSE

Every team is good come postseason. Crosspoint is as good a double-digit seed as there is. The 1B/2B SeaTac champs went 9-0 in league play and were tripped up by Mount Vernon Christian and Lummi in districts — both went down to the wire.

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PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

After slow start, Almira/Coulee-Hartline rebounded to beat Cusick for district title / (Photo by Carrie Isaak)

No. 1 Almira/Coulee-Hartline vs. No. 8 DeSales

Noon Saturday, Eastmont High School, Wenatchee


Skinny: Undersized bigs Frankie Worden and Jadon Bingham will have their hands full against ACH’s length and braun down low. DeSales will need a strong showing from its backcourt of Jack Lesko and Joe Baffney.

Pick: Almira/Coulee Hartline, 60-49.

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No. 2 Cusick vs. No. 7 Lummi

Noon Saturday, University High School

Skinny: The winner of this game will be well-positioned for a title run in Spokane. Two of the state’s top 1B point guards face off in Lummi’s Duncan Toby and Cusick’s Colton Seymour. 

Pick: Cusick, 65-60.   

RELATED: Cusick aiming for deep 1B state finish 41 years in the making: 'This year, it’s us'

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No. 3 Northwest Yeshiva vs. No. 6 Moses Lake Christian Academy

8 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue College

Skinny: It’s OK to only play a six-man rotation when your backcourt consists of seniors Yoel Kintzer and Aryeh Goldberg, who fueled a Northwest Yeshiva tri-district title run. But who guards Moses Lake Christian’s Pierre Boorman (21.7 points per game), maybe the most dynamic shot-creator in the tournament?

Pick: Moses Lake Christian, 52-50.

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No. 4 Willapa Valley vs. No. 5 Sunnyside Christian, 4 p.m.

Saturday, W.F. West High School, Chehalis

Skinny: In a battle of district champs, the Vikings face a tall task in slowing game-changing point guard Cole Wagenaar. Sunnyside Christian's challenge? Keeping Willapa Valley’s cadre of capable scorers in check.

Pick: Willapa Valley, 47-43.

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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

Smokey Abrahamson (No. 24), William Dick IV (No. 32) and Wellpinit have been battle-tested by ACH and Cusick. And they're ready to make a playoff splash / Photo courtesy Wellpinit Athletics

No. 10 Mount Vernon Christian vs. No. 15 Riverside Christian

10 a.m. Saturday, Mount Vernon High School


Skinny: Riverside Christian’s edge (size) is the Hurricanes’ strength. Can Isaac Pommer navigate Mount Vernon Christian's length? And can senior guard Xander Hoksbergen and MVC’s backcourt set the pace?

Pick: Mount Vernon Christian, 55-48.

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No. 11 Naselle vs. No. 14 Neah Bay

Noon Saturday, Mark Morris High School, Longview


Skinny: Which tips the scale - Naselle standout and Columbia Valley League MVP Kolton Lindstrom’s hot hand, or Neah Bay’s frenetic, disruptive press?

Pick: Neah Bay, 51-47.

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No. 12 Crosspoint Academy vs. No. 13 Oakville

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

Skinny: The one-two punch of point guard Owen Wyatt and load-bearing Thunderr Doty is a daunting combo for any defense. Crosspoint a sleeper to make noise in Spokane. 

Pick: Crosspoint, 60-48.

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No. 9 Wellpinit vs. No. 16 Orcas Island

2 p.m., Saturday, Central Valley High School, Spokane

Skinny: The scary part about Wellpinit is how it spread you out and breaks you down — that's thanks, in large part, to Smokey Abrahamson, who isn't far from averaging a triple-double. Can junior big man Aidan Murray and Orcas Island establish a rhythm down low?

Pick: Wellpinit, 66-54.