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Bethel Braves

Location: Graham.

Record: 24-2 (tied for first in South Puget Sound League South Division, first in SPSL tournament, first in West Central/Southwest bi-district).

Coach: Pat Mullen (ninth year).

Key players: PG Jordan Sutton, 6-0, Sr., 11.2 ppg, 6 apg; G Jamil Turner, 6-2, Sr., 9 ppg, 4 rpg; C Brandon Moore, 6-8, Sr., 14.2 ppg, 11 rpg, 2 bpg; F Alex Tiefenthaler, 6-8, Sr., 14.2 ppg, 8 rpg; G Mike Yusko, 6-1, Sr., 6.8 ppg, 3 rbg.

Inside look: Braves, who have won 11 in a row, are making seventh straight state appearance; finished third last year, second in 2000. Moore, SPSL South MVP, has signed with Eastern Washington, Tiefenthaler with Portland. Turner has signed with UCLA for football.

Outlook: Only team to beat South Kitsap (54-53); Saturday-night rematch possible, if not likely.

South Kitsap Wolves

Location: Port Orchard.

Record: 24-1 (first in Narrows League Bridge Division, first in Narrows League tournament, second in West Central/Southwest bi-district).

Coach: John Callaghan (seventh year).

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES Roosevelt's fortunes have soared along with 6-7 Marcus Williams, a future Arizona Wildcat.

Key players: PG Tippy Burk, 5-11, So., 8.6 ppg, 5 apg; G Derrick Webb, 6-2, Sr., 15.3 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg; G Connor Gehring, 6-4, Jr., 9.3 ppg, 4 rpg; F Jamil Moore, 6-3, Sr., 10.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg; C Josh Monagle, 6-6, Jr., 11.3, 7 rpg.

Inside look: Wolves completed first unbeaten regular season in school history (20-0) and stretched winning streak to 24 until losing to Bethel. Webb can be spectacular. Team is making fifth consecutive state trip.

Outlook: Wolves have finished higher every year, from two-and-out in 2001 to runner-up last year. Trend could continue.

Contenders

Kentwood Conquerors

Location: Covington.

Record: 21-5 (tied for first in SPSL North, second in SPSL tournament, third in West Central/Southwest bi-district).

Coach: Dean Montzingo (fourth year).

Key players: G Blake Solomon, 6-2, Sr., 16.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg; F Aaron Boyce, 6-4, Sr., 17.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg; C Matt Mgebroff, 6-7, Sr., 5.1 ppg, 6 rpg; G Toussaint Tyler, 6-1, Jr., 9.5 ppg.

Inside look: Defending state champs return to Tacoma for third straight year. Won 16 of past 18, losing only to Bethel, South Kitsap. Boyce, co-MVP of SPSL North, is three-year starter; Solomon and Mgebroff are two-year starters.

Outlook: Conquerors graduated star Rodney Stuckey, but found way to keep winning. Semifinal rematch of last year's title game with South Kitsap is possibility.

Roosevelt Roughriders

Location: Seattle.

Record: 20-5 (first in KingCo 4A West Division, second in Sea-King District).

Coach: Bart Brandenburg (first year).

Key players: G Marcus Williams, 6-7, Sr., 30 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg, 3 bpg; F David Grant, 6-6, Sr., 13 ppg, 8 rpg; G Chris Chase, 6-4, Sr., 15 ppg, 7 rpg.

JOHN LOK / THE SEATTLE TIMES It's not a stretch to picture South Kitsap and guard Derrick Webb taking the state-championship trophy home to Port Orchard. The Wolves take a 24-1 record into the tournament.

Inside look: Roughriders won three straight loser-out games to qualify for first state tournament since 1987. Arizona-bound Williams and Chase form dynamic one-two scoring punch. Roosevelt won state in 1946, '73, '82.

Outlook: Team craves rematch with South Kitsap after blowing leads in two previous meetings. If Roughriders survive first round, they'll be in great position to make a run.

Eisenhower Cadets

Location: Yakima.

Record: 23-3 (tied for first in Big Nine Conference, first in Big Nine District, first in Eastern Regional).

Coach: Pat Fitterer (second year).

Key players: C Brandon Johnson, 6-8, Sr., 17.4 ppg; C Jack Loofburrow, 6-7, Jr., 13.6 ppg; G Nate Gipson, 5-11, Sr., 10.2 ppg; G Alex Johnson, 6-0, Sr., 7.8 ppg.

Inside look: Cadets continue turnaround under Fitterer. He took over after 13 seasons at Sehome in Bellingham, where he went 265-82 and won 1996 state title. Cadets won first district and regional titles this season.

Outlook: Good size, balanced offense make Cadets formidable. One of team's three losses was to Pasco, a potential quarterfinal foe.

Inglemoor Vikings

Location: Kenmore.

Record: 21-2 (first in KingCo 4A Central Division, first in Sea-King District).

Coach: Greg Lowell (17th year).

Key players: G Ike Nwaelele, 5-11, Jr., 10.2 ppg, 5 apg, 4 rpg; G Skyler Riley, 5-8, Sr., 16.1 ppg, 3 apg, 3 spg; F Steve Campbell, 6-4, Sr., 14.1 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg; F Jason Pratt, 6-5, Sr., 6.7 ppg, 4 rpg; C Erik Sedarholm, 6-4, Sr., 9.2 ppg, 7 rpg.

Inside look: Vikings, coming off first KingCo title, lost only to Franklin, Roosevelt. Vikings are 6-0 in games decided by three points or fewer. Lowell was KingCo 4A coach of year.

Outlook: Inglemoor has flown under radar most of season, but no longer. If Vikings play with intensity they showed in district-title game, they could make some noise.

Might surprise

Ferris Saxons

Location: Spokane.

Record: 21-4 (first in Greater Spokane League, first in GSL tournament, second in Eastern Regional).

Coach: Barry Olson (first year).

Key players: G Jeremy Templeton, 5-10, Sr., 13.3 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 rpg; G Ryan Shelby, 6-1, Sr., 9.1 ppg; F Brian Hallett, 6-3, Jr., 9.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg.

Inside look: Saxons go 10 deep, a huge plus when playing four games in four days. Team has won 11 of past 12.

Outlook: Veteran team relies on outside shooting, which can be streaky. Ferris made title game in last two trips to Tacoma, in 2001 and '02, but would likely have to beat Bethel in semis to do so this time.

Evergreen Plainsmen

Location: Vancouver.

Record: 20-7 (third in Greater St. Helens 4A League, first in Southwest District, fourth in West Central/Southwest bi-district).

Coach: Gary Mills (first year).

Key players: PG Cory Neal, 6-1, Jr., 13.9 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg; G Josh Troyer, 6-1, Jr., 12.9 ppg; F Greg Peach, 6-3, Sr., 10.2 ppg, 5 rpg; F Tommy Allen, 6-1, Sr., 7.1 ppg.

Inside look: Plainsmen list no player taller than 6-6. Peach, an all-state defensive lineman, will play football at Eastern Washington.

Outlook: Tough draw; face Snohomish and UW-bound Jon Brockman in opener, with potential quarterfinal meeting with Bethel.

Curtis Vikings

Location: University Place.

Record: 19-6 (third in SPSL South, sixth in SPSL tournament, sixth in West Central/Southwest bi-district).

Coach: Lindsay Bemis (14th year).

Key players: G Isaiah Thomas, 5-8, So., 26 ppg; C Anthony Gibbs, 6-5, Jr., 10.8 ppg; F C.J. Greene, 6-0, Sr., 8.4 ppg; F Alex Seymour, 6-4, Jr., 8.1 ppg.

Inside look: Young team has mix of size, athleticism. Thomas creating big buzz for a sophomore.

Outlook: If Vikings can control nerves, they have the pieces to make a run.

Kamiak Knights

Location: Mukilteo.

Record: 17-6 (fourth in WesCo South, first in Northwest District).

Coach: Jeff Leary (seventh year).

Key players: F Sean Hermes, 6-0, Sr., 18 ppg; C Billy Johnson, 6-7, Sr., 8.6 ppg; C Rahiti Marere, 6-6, Jr., 11 ppg; PG Ben Iddins, 6-0, So., 9.9 ppg; F Mark Iddins, 6-3, Sr., 5.7 ppg.

Inside look: Knights heated up at district tournament to clinch first state berth. Beat Mountlake Terrace twice in three tries.

Outlook: Surprising No. 1 seed peaking at right time, but must overcome first-time state jitters and tough draw.

Prairie Falcons

Location: Brush Prairie (suburban Vancouver).

Record: 22-6 (tied for first in Greater St. Helens League, second in Southwest District, fifth in West Central/Southwest bi-district).

Coach: Kyle Brooks (fifth year).

Key players: C Jordan Ard, 6-6, Sr., 14.8 ppg; G Orlandor Westbrooks, 6-0, Jr., 10.2; F Jeff Strom, 6-3, Sr., 10.6 ppg.

Inside look: Decent size, good depth. Ard is league player of year.

Outlook: Falcons advanced to semifinals each of past two state appearances — 2001 and '03 — but must win rebounding battle and share ball to advance that far this time.

Pasco Bulldogs

Location: Pasco.

Record: 20-5 (tied for first in Big Nine, second in Big Nine District, fourth in Eastern Regional).

Coach: Chad Herron (fourth year).

Key players: G Dean Colbray, 5-10, Sr., 13.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg; G Jerome Houf, 5-8, Sr., 9 ppg, 3 apg; G Jeff Middleton, 6-2, Sr., 13.4 ppg; F Bryant Whitby, 6-6, Jr., 12 ppg, 5 rpg.

Inside look: Pasco making third straight state trip. Bulldogs, led by two-year starters Colbray and Houf, dropped playoff games to Eisenhower, Ferris. Only state title came in 1947.

Outlook: Team is 2-4 at state past two seasons. Drew tough half-bracket that includes Kentwood, defending state champ, and top-ranked South Kitsap.

Longshots

Snohomish Panthers

Location: Snohomish.

Record: 18-6 (tied with three others for first in WesCo North, third in Northwest District).

Coach: Len Bone (10th year).

Key players: F Jon Brockman, 6-7, Sr., 28.9 ppg, 12 rpg; G Jake Hammons, 5-11, Sr., 10.3 ppg; F Nate VanDuine, 6-3, Jr., 7.6 ppg, 5 rpg.

Inside look: Panthers 15-3 since 3-3 start, and won nine of past 10. Only state title came in 1970.

Outlook: With UW-bound Brockman, anything's possible. But if Panthers win opener against Evergreen, they'll likely face Bethel in quarterfinals.

Mountlake Terrace Hawks

Location: Mountlake Terrace.

Record: 19-5 (first in WesCo South, second in Northwest District).

Coach: Nalin Sood (fifth year).

Key players: G Luke Hammond, 6-1, Sr., 8.5 ppg, 3 apg; F Mike Boxley, 6-5, Sr., 12.7 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg; C Leigh Swanson, 6-7, Sr., 12.6 ppg, 7 rpg; G Adrian Blake, 6-2, Sr., 10.4 ppg, 3 rpg; G Christiaan Hammond, 5-8, Sr., 7.4 ppg.

Inside look: Hawks making third straight state appearance after going two-and-out past two seasons. Swanson signed with Seattle University. Boxley and Luke Hammond are three-year starters.

Outlook: One of most experienced teams in tournament, Terrace is 14-2 since Jan. 1 with both losses to Kamiak. But recent luck in Tacoma hasn't been good.

North Kitsap Vikings

Location: Poulsbo.

Record: 17-9 (second in Narrows League Bridge Division, third in Narrows League tournament, seventh in West Central/Southwest bi-district).

Coach: Aaron Nations (second year).

Key players: G Jacob Gonzales, 6-1, Sr., 19.2 ppg, 4 apg; G Travis Tobin, 6-0, Sr., 5 apg; G Jordan Henry, 6-0, Sr., 8.3 ppg; F Jared Prince, 6-3, Sr., 8.8 ppg, 8 rpg; C Ryan Young, 6-5, Sr., 19.6 ppg, 11 rpg.

Inside look: Five senior starters give Vikings veteran presence, though they haven't been to state since 1988. Young was Narrows Bridge Division MVP. Prince was all-state QB.

Outlook: Vikings lost to Kentwood, Prairie, South Kitsap; all drew the same half bracket.

Gonzaga Prep Bullpups

Location: Spokane.

Record: 18-9 (tied for second with two others in Greater Spokane League, second in GSL tournament, third in Eastern Regional).

Coach: Mike Haugen (12th year).

Key players: G Michael Johnson, 6-1, Jr., 13.9 ppg; PG Brandon Kennedy, 5-9, Sr., 9 ppg, 3.4 apg; F Ryan Murphy, 6-3, Sr., 12.9 ppg, 6 rpg; F Ian Parry, 6-4, Jr., 9.4 ppg.

Inside look: Kennedy (CWU) and Murphy (EWU) will play college football. Haugen sat out past two seasons.

Outlook: G-Prep, 7-5 after 11-4 start, drew Bethel in first round. Bullpups need to be at top of their game and catch a few breaks to advance.

Matt Peterson