The Olympian’s 2016 All-Area boys basketball team
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
CHRISTIAN DAVIS
Yelm
Guard, 6-4, senior
Bio: A true scorer at heart, he finished the regular season as the South Sound’s third leading scorer by average with 428 points across 16 games (26.8 points per game) — the only two in front of Davis were Bellarmine Prep’s Malachi Flynn (28.5) and Wilson’s David Jenkins Jr. (27.1). Scored a season-high 44 points against Rogers in December, and had seven games with 30 or more.
What coach Jordan Barnes says: “True student of the game. He’s just a phenomenal player, I can’t really word it any better. He has unlimited potential.”
KOBE KEY
River Ridge
Guard, 5-10, senior
Bio: The 2A SPSL MVP runs the floor for the Hawks. With Key at the point, River Ridge climbed to its first No. 1 state ranking in school history this season, and went undefeated in league play (14-0) to top the 2A SPSL for the second straight year. He averaged a modest 11 points, six rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on a team that whips the ball around the court under his jurisdiction.
What coach John Barbee says: “Very, very consistent. Great leader. He’s been a three-year starter for us and he’s gotten better and better all three years — and our program has gotten better and better all three years.”
TJ MICKELSON
Black Hills
Guard, 6-1, junior
Bio: Earned 2A EvCo MVP honors for the second straight year and led the league in scoring with 20.7 points per game. Has never missed a start for the Wolves (has made 66 consecutive in his career) and consistently battles through opposing defenses to put up big numbers — he has 1,440 career points to date.
What coach Jeff Gallagher says: “He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve seen or been around or coached. He actually doesn’t get enough credit for how well he passes the ball. And he constantly works on his game — all spring, all summer, all fall. I haven’t seen anybody get off as many shots during the summer as he does.”
LABRANDON PRICE
River Ridge
Forward, 6-1, senior
Bio: One of five River Ridge players averaging in double figures, Price poses the biggest matchup problem for opposing teams. He’s a scorer, rebounder and defender, and one of the most complete all-around players the 2A SPSL has to offer. Named to the league’s first team, Price averaged 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals per game this season.
What coach Barbee says: “LaBrandon is one of the most versatile players around. He can hurt you in a number of different ways. Very athletic, very consistent. He’s not just a scorer, he’s a rebounder. He’s not just a rebounder, he can also share the basketball. He’s just a very well-rounded and complete player.”
HUNTER SIPE
Olympia
Guard, 6-3, junior
Bio: Had a breakout season to lead the Bears after seeing minimal playing time on varsity as a sophomore — he averaged about two points per game. This season he averaged 16, added seven rebounds and moved around the court so fluidly that opposing defenses had trouble tracking him down. The 4A Narrows first-teamer was a consistent threat from beyond the 3-point line, but was plenty threatening in the paint as well.
What coach John Kiley says: “Hunter was relentless in his preparation, and that preparation paved the way for an excellent junior season. And I feel like when we played our best he was scoring, he was rebounding. He has an outstanding motor, and that motor and drive was a real catalyst for a lot of our successes.”
ERIK STEVENSON
Timberline
Guard, 6-3, sophomore
Bio: The lone sophomore to be named to the 4A Narrows first team, he has two more years to build on an impressive start. Stevenson averaged 19 points per game to pace the Blazers this season, and is dangerous from anywhere on the floor. He gets plenty of air under his feet — from deep 3-pointers to breakaway dunks to ruthless blocked shots that tend to fire up the crowd.
What coach Allen Thomas says: “Erik is a guy who is a triple threat. A guy who can defend, a guy who can score and also a guy who can make his teammates better. He’s improved his outside shot and strength over the offseason. He was a go-to guy for us throughout the entire year, and sometimes that’s hard for a young guy to be able to defend, rebound and still score. With teams double teaming and face guarding and game planning for. Guys are game planning for him and he’s still able to come through and make it happen as a sophomore.”
SECOND TEAM
F Jarryn Bush, Timberline, 6-2, sr.
F Christian Peters, Centralia, 6-2, sr.
F Wes Reynolds, North Thurston, 6-4, sr.
F Weston VandenHazel, Tumwater, 6-10, sr.
G Jaden White, River Ridge, 5-10, sr.
With input from coaches, each year The Olympian selects its All-Area boys basketball team. All statistics listed are from the regular season — not including playoffs — unless otherwise noted.
This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the headline "The Olympian’s 2016 All-Area boys basketball team."