Metro League Preview: Stokes Lights Up the Beach, O’Dea Stays Unshaken

By Torsten S. and Seamus R. 

With the 2025 3A basketball season starting in a few days, the projected #1 senior in the country, Tyran Stokes, officially transferred to the defending 3A state champions, Rainier Beach Vikings. With the sudden arrival of one of the best players in the country, the O'Dea Fighting Irish are surprised by the news of Stokes but are ready to test the so-called #1 player. 

Stokes, a 6'7" forward with elite athleticism and power, is set to have a major impact on the Vikings this season. In his first game, Stokes scored 31 points and led the team to an impressive 81-60 win against Renton. This was a much-needed improvement on offense after Rainier Beach graduated Kaden Powers and Jaylen Petty, who were the top players on Beach’s team last year. Rainier Beach Coach (Bethea) is hoping that his new player will be able to shine throughout the whole season, but if the first game is anything to go by, he will have a starring impact on the team. 

The Fighting Irish do not see this as a loss at all. In fact, they see it as a challenge. Junior point guard Nino Moksivong sees it as being “highly positive,” as Stokes is just another “competitor who will give me an outlet to put myself out there with a good performance against him.” 

Being the number one player in the nation, he is bound to attract cameras.

“I think he will put a lot of people in Washington basketball on the map, especially people who have been flying under the radar,” said Moksivong.

His popularity will allow many other teams, including O’Dea, to be noticed by scouts and more people. All of this will allow for players to be “put on the map” and given a better chance in the future. 

Rooted in the basketball program is a motto: “Brotherhood, Discipline, Toughness.” All these are qualities that they will need to contain Stokes. First, because Stokes has the ability to create fast breaks, O’Dea will need to manage the pace of the game and limit his shooting opportunities. Second, since the majority of his points in the first game came from dunks, shutting down that option will be key to slowing him down. Finally, Stokes’ height means the Irish will have to rely on a collective defensive effort rather than an individual matchup. This strategy will force him to take more jump shots — an area of his game that he is still developing.

But one thing is for certain: they will look at Stokes as any other competitor and will see playing against him as an outlet to get better and achieve greatness with the team. 

While this is useful for when they play Rainier Beach, just because he is the number one player in the nation does not scare the Irish at all.

Moksivong says the team is “more motivated and hungrier for his arrival than anything.” They are determined to show up and show out against Rainier Beach in a couple of weeks. 

Even with this star player moving into the division, the mindset of the O’Dea players is the same.

“Our main goal this year is to win state; that’s not just something we talk about, it’s the expectation,” said senior guard Peyton Brooks.

Additionally, with brotherhood being at the center of everything O’Dea, the team will unite as one and continue their strong start to the season, although their matchup with Rainier Beach on Saturday, December 13th will be one for the ages.