Kent-Meridian senior Tariq Hill and Kentwood junior Blake Stempniak each will be huge contributors to their teams’ playoff runs. BEN RAY, Sound Publishing

Kent-Meridian senior Tariq Hill and Kentwood junior Blake Stempniak each will be huge contributors to their teams’ playoff runs. BEN RAY, Sound Publishing

Bracket Breakdown: Previews of opening round of West Central District Tournament

Kent hoops action.

Boys (All games 2/11)

(14) Graham-Kapowsin: 13-9

(11) Kentwood: 11-10

Last Meeting: N/A

Over Kentwood’s last six league games it played the top three teams in the league, losing all three matchups. But the one thing this Conqueror team has is youthful energy, the cardiac kids can cause some chaos this postseason. The average grade of a starter on the Conks is 9.6, a testament of good coaching and a team that can make an impact.

(8) Kentridge: 17-4

(1) Curtis: 21-3

Last Meeting: 12/16/21– Curtis 78-54

Kentridge might be one of the best eight seeds in the state at a district tournament. Their best win was against Mount Si at the ShoWare Center. The Chargers fell just shy of an upset on the road against Federal Way in late January. If any team is primed for an upset early, it could be this veteran Charger team.

(13) Kent-Meridian: 13-8

(12) Capital: 11-9

Last Meeting: N/A

The Royals struggled down the stretch losing three in a row to close out the season. The Royals started 8-1 at the start of the season, but an injury to Jordan Bailey hamstrung Kent-Meridian. The postseason is a great way to get rolling, and it starts on the road in Olympia.

Girls (All games 2/10)

(14) Puyallup: 6-16

(11) Kentridge: 14-6

Last Meeting: 2/4/2016 – Kentridge: 39-26

Kentridge lost two of its last three games, a rough end to a really strong season. The Chargers lost a showdown against Kentwood by four points, but Kentridge is one of the youngest teams on the girls side and has a ton of upside to their young roster. If both Kentwood and Kentridge win their opening round games a rematch would be held Feb. 14 at Kentwood.

(6) Kentwood 15-6

(3) Emerald Ridge: 17-5

Last Meeting: 2/11/21: Emerald Ridge 59-46

Kentwood lost out on the NPSL title by a single game, its only league loss of the season to Tahoma. The Conks have an extremely strong resume with wins over Decatur, Kentridge and Auburn Mountainview. This game against Emerald Ridge should be extremely competitive.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Dayna Vi (Jr.) wrestling and Brandon Tagle (Jr.) basketball take home this weeks awards.

Kentwood’s Jessica Ajayi dribbles the ball up the floor. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood girls basketball drops fourth straight

Team falls to Riverside for first time since 2017. Head Coach Jordan Nero: ‘We’ll find a way, we always do.’

t
Hundreds participate in Kent Christmas Rush run/walk

Seattle’s Nathan Morrisson wins 10K; Kent’s Travis Houser captures 5K

Graphic provided by KSD.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Genesis Miller (Flag Football) and Gio Moimoi (Basketball) take home this weeks award.

Veronica Garcia gives an interview after winning the 2A girls 400-meter final at the 2024 Washington State Championships at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. (Screenshot from Runnerspace.com video)
Proposals seek new rules for transgender athletes in WA schools

Other proposals target student-athlete transfer rules and girls flag football.

Tyanna Sims drives to the basket against Auburn in the loss. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Trojans sweep aside Kentwood in doubleheader

Both boys and girls basketball teams lose to Auburn in NPSL opening play.

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.