Sports

Four Tides, two Seahawks earn boys basketball all-league honors

Four Gig Harbor and two Peninsula boys basketball players received South South 3A Conference honors in a vote of the league’s coaches announced today, including Tides guard Christian Parrish being named defensive player of the year. The seven coaches recently gathered to discuss their players’ strengths, talents and statistics and chose a group dominated by a superb junior class.

Parrish, a 5-foot-10 junior, mixes a quick, low center of gravity and a hard-nosed, attacking style. He causes turnovers at a rapid rate with his quick hands and feet and ability to read passers. He’s lightning quick, collecting a league-leading 78 steals, and always plays like he has something to prove.

Gig Harbor guard Christian Parrish (11) was named the South Sound Conference’s defensive player of the year. Photo courtesy of Christi Adams

Timberline guard Brooklyn Hicks was named the league’s most valuable player. The Blazers’ 6-foot3 junior playmaker is bouncy and can get to the rim and finish strong. He led the conference in scoring at 26 points per game, much of it coming in transition after steals in which he also led his team. He passed the 1,000-point mark for his career this year and is a three-time all-conference player.

First Team (In order of votes received)

Luke Browne, G, Gig Harbor — The Tides’ 6-foot-6 junior led the team in scoring at 20 points per game and rebounding 7.5. A consistent scorer from anywhere and best shooter in the conference with a school-record 11 threes and 37 points in a game. He’s a three-time all-conference player, nearing 1,000 career points.

Will Landram, G, Gig Harbor — The Tides’ 6-foot-6 junior is a dynamic player who combines length with athleticism. He averaged 14.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and shot over 50 percent from the floor. He put pressure on defenses with his ability to lead the fast break and dunk in traffic.

Miles Gurske, G, Timberline — The Blazers 6-foot point guard was a perfect compliment for Hicks. Gurske combined quickness and penetrating ability to the rim. A rainbow shooter and tough on-ball defender, he was second on the team in scoring at 17 per game.

Jo Jo Johnson, G, Central Kitsap — The Cougars’ 6-foot-3 junior leading scorer is ultra-athletic and puts fear into defenders. A smooth shooter who favors the transition game, he averages 23 points and is a tough defender. He’s so quick he can get a rebound, fill the lane for a windmill dunk and post it on Instagram before he lands.

Darnell Green, G, Central Kitsap — The 6-foot-2 senior is the second-leading scorer and a stat-stuffing machine for the Cougars who can do a little bit of everything on the court. He’s smart and quick, but doesn’t hurry. He is a capable scorer at 13.5 per game, a willing passer and on-ball defender who is tough to get by in the open court.

Second Team (In order of votes received)

Wesley Bjornsgard, Junior, Capital

Jeshua Hardie, Senior, Yelm

Darrell Gipson, Sophomore, Timberline

Thad Tenkley, Junior, North Thurston

Christian Parrish, Junior, Gig Harbor

Honorable Mention

Asher Raquiza, Senior, Gig Harbor — Raquiza is a former two-time second-team all-league player who sacrificed his scoring numbers to become more of a facilitator for the Tides this year. He averages 10.5 points and is a terrific rebounder and long-range shooter.

Marcus Douglas, Senior, Peninsula — Douglas averaged 14.5 points and was the Seahawks’ most athletic player at the guard spot.

Isaiah Brown, Sophomore, Peninsula — Brown is a bright up-and-comer for the Seahawks who averaged 11.5 points and led the team in steals and assists with his quick, efficient guard play.