State 1A preview: Second a year ago, Freeman seeks title

It’s no secret the Freeman boys basketball team wants to get back to the State 1A championship game.

Runners-up a year ago, the Scotties take an experienced team to Yakima when the tourney begins Wednesday with loser-out games.

Freeman (22-1) opens Thursday night at 5:30 against the winner of the King’s Way Christian (15-10)/Warden (17-7) loser-out game Wednesday.

The Scotties defeated Newport (15-9) last Saturday. The Grizzlies take on Hoquiam (15-7) on Wednesday in the late game at 9.

Hoquiam eliminated Medical Lake 90-75 in a regional game Saturday.

Freeman has a mixture of size and quickness. But the Scotties have a tendency to fall in love with the 3-point shot, and they had one of their worst shooting games of the season last Saturday.

The Scotties’ goal is to finish what they came close to doing last year.

Freeman is heavily favored to win their quarterfinal, but they will likely run up against defending champ King’s (18-5) in the semifinals.

King’s is playing without 6-foot-6 Gonzaga University signee Corey Kispert, who was lost to a broken foot. King’s looked mortal in a 50-46 regional win over The Northwest School.

Newport may be bringing one of the youngest teams to state. The Grizzlies have just one senior on their squad.

Judging by how competitive they were in three games against Freeman, the Grizzlies could fare well. They have a difficult draw against Hoquiam, which can score points in bunches.

On the opposite side of Freeman’s bracket are Zillah (22-1) and Lynden Christian (19-5).

Zillah lost a heartbreaking 65-63 opener to King’s last year.