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 https://www.kentreporter.com/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

Image taken from NWAC website of their member school map. Courtesy image
Junior college sports landscape could see some serious changes

Court ruling in Tennessee could affect NCAA eligibility for Washington athletes.

Mason St. Louis battles for a loose ball. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood boys basketball keeps hot streak alive

Conks are winners of seven of their last eight games this season.

Sebastian Arius brings the ball up the floor for Auburn Mountainview in a Dec. 17 game vs. Federal Way High School. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
Holiday sports: Here’s what I’m watching | Bench Talk with Ben Ray

The NBA slate of games was the thing to watch on Christmas. But now the NFL wants some of the action, with two games on the docket Christmas Day.

Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Sawyer Mynio is part of the Canada National Junior Team competing in the IHHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa, Ontario. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
Kent-based Thunderbirds’ Sawyer Mynio makes Canada National Junior Team

Team competes Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in World Junior Championships

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

Antoine Lee sticks his tongue at the camera in a win over Auburn. (Photo by Robby Mullikin)
Kentwood’s Antoine Lee breaks records and inspires next generation

Lee finishes his career with over 6,000 total yards and 62 total touchdowns.

Three Chargers all dance after Shiney Mayanja scored her first goal of the night, Kentridge’s fifth. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
NPSL all-league soccer teams announced

Kentridge’s Shiney Mayanja named 4A Offensive POTY along with Decatur’s Kaihea Tuifua at 3A.

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.