After leading the Hoquiam Grizzlies to a second-place finish in the 1A Evergreen League and a seven-game winning streak to close out the regular season, two of Hoquiam’s finest received top league awards.
Grizzlies senior guard Michael Lorton Watkins was named the league’s MVP while head coach Jeff Niemi earned Coach of the Year honors, as league officials announced their all-league team earlier this week.
Lorton Watkins was phenomenal this season, scoring 21.8 points a game on 50% shooting to go along with 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals and three assists per game.
The 5-foot-11 senior guard was even better in league play, averaging 25.8 points and 7.9 rebounds in eight league games this season.
Niemi, who won a state title playing for Hoquiam 19 years ago and is in his first year coaching his alma mater, was voted the league’s top coach after willing his team to a seven-game winning streak at the end the regular season. Five of those victories were league games, including a 65-52 upset over then unbeaten league-champion Eatonville on Jan. 31.
Elma guard Cason Seaberg was named to the league’s First Team after a superb junior campaign in which he averaged 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, two assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Daily World File Photo Elma guard Cason Seaberg was named to the league’s First Team after a superb junior campaign.
Twin Harbors student-athletes earning Second Team honors were Elma guard Traden Carter, Montesano forward Tyce Peterson and Hoquiam forward Justice Stankavich.
The complete all-league list is as follows:
2022-23 1A Evergreen All-League Boys Basketball Team
MVP – Michael Lorton Watkins, Hoquiam
Coach of the Year – Jeff Niemi, Hoquiam
First Team
Shay Brannon, Eatonville; Noah Schow, Tenino; Walker Bruun, Eatonville; Cason Seaberg, Elma; Austin Gonia, Tenino.
Second Team
Traden Carter, Elma; Tyce Peterson, Montesano; Kyle Cox, Eatonville; Justice Stankavich, Hoquiam; Griffin Clevenger; Eatonville.
Honorable Mention
AJ Holmes, Elma; Zander Jump, Hoquiam; Camden Taylor, Montesano; Gibson Cain, Elma.
