The Olympian’s 2021 All-Area boys basketball team

Each year, with input from local coaches, The Olympian selects its All-Area boys basketball team.

This year, eight high schools from the Olympia area are represented by players and coaches selected to the first and second teams.

The 12 spots, broken down by leagues, are 4A South Puget Sound League (three), 3A South Sound Conference (five) and 2A Evergreen Conference (four).

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

JACKSON GRANT

Olympia

Forward, 6-10, senior

The first McDonald’s All-American ever from Thurston County, Grant played the 2021 season as if he were already facing Pac-12 competition for Washington, where he has since started classes. Controlling the area around the basket for the 4A SPSL champion Bears, he averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per game. This is the second consecutive season Grant has been named The Olympian’s All-Area player of the year. He is also a two-time league MVP, earning the 4A SPSL South honor this season. “He’s an amazing young man,” Bears coach John Kiley said.

COACH OF THE YEAR

JOHN KILEY

Olympia

In an area crowded with outstanding up-and-comers, the current dean of Thurston County coaches stood out this season, guiding the Bears to a 14-2 record and a 4A SPSL championship after leading them to a fourth-place finish in the 4A state tournament last season. Blessed with outstanding talent, Kiley, who started at point guard for Olympia’s 1986 state championship team, deployed his players wisely and oversaw a strength and conditioning program that made the Bears’ entire roster a physical challenge to opponents.

FIRST TEAM

JESHUA HARDIE

Yelm

Guard, 6-2, junior

One of only three 20-points-plus per game scorers among players in the area. In his first season at Yelm after transferring from Timberline, Hardie scored 21 points per game, while grabbing 5.5 rebounds, dishing out 5.1 assists and making 87% of his free throws. He helped the Tornados improve as a team under new coach Dave Wasankari from a .400 winning percentage in the 2019-20 season to .615 this year. “Jeshua is usually the first player at practice and the last to leave,” Wasankari said. “He made every one of his teammates better day in and day out.”

BROOKLYN HICKS

Timberline

Guard, 6-3, sophomore

Hicks already has six Division I offers in hand, including from Pac-12 schools Oregon State and Washington State. His energetic play resulted in 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game to earn 3A SSC MVP honors for the league champion Blazers. “Brooklyn has great athleticism,” Timberline coach Allen Thomas said. “He can finish in traffic, rebound and push the tempo. He can make others better around him.”

JUSTIN HICKS

Black Hills

Forward, 6-6, senior

For the second consecutive season, Hicks led the Wolves in scoring (17.6 points per game) and rebounding (8.1). He also blocked 1.6 shots per game. He shot 56% from inside and stretched his game to include 32% shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. The first team 2A EvCo selection is bound for South Puget Sound Community College, where Black Hills coach Jeff Gallagher believes he’ll shine. “Justin’s an extremely gifted scorer from inside and outside,” he said. “He’s just started to tap into his potential. His best basketball is ahead of him.”

CARTER MCCOY

W.F. West

Forward, 6-5, senior

The versatile McCoy was a first-team 2A EvCo selection at wide receiver in football before earning 2A EvCo MVP honors for the league champion Bearcats when basketball season came along. Known for his high-flying dunks, McCoy averaged 14.8 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. Praised by W.F. West coach Chris White for his high basketball IQ, McCoy will play at Lower Columbia College next season.

DONTAE ROBINSON

River Ridge

Forward, 6-6, junior

An all-around athlete, Robinson started for the Hawks as a wide receiver in football, then won the 100 meters at the 3A SSC track and field championships. He finished the condensed high school sports year with 3A SSC defensive player of the year honors in basketball. Robinson was also effective with the ball in his hands, scoring 16 points per game and grabbing eight rebounds per contest. “Dontae is always looking to learn and get better,” Hawks coach Russell Steplight said. “I’m looking forward to his senior year and seeing his growth.”

SECOND TEAM

Luke Brewer, Tumwater, soph.

Parker Gerrits, Olympia, soph.

Miles Gurske, Timberline, soph.

Max Landers, Capital, sr.

Cam Oram, Tumwater, sr.