Season Preview: Northern Conference
The Longmont Trojans were the kings of the Northern Conference last year. With all that talent returning, that probably won’t change. Nonetheless, a league that was solid beyond LHS might have a bit stronger challengers in the likes of Thompson…
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Continue ReadingThe Longmont Trojans were the kings of the Northern Conference last year. With all that talent returning, that probably won’t change. Nonetheless, a league that was solid beyond LHS might have a bit stronger challengers in the likes of Thompson Valley and Mountain View out of Loveland, both of which should be improved after reaching the 4A playoffs, but losing in the first round.
Below is the predicted order of finish:
1) Longmont. Last season: 27-1 overall, 14-0 in league.
The Trojans have arguably the best player in Class 4A in Justinian Jessup, and without a doubt, will have plenty of motivation after a perfect season was ended in overtime of the state finals against Air Academy. The Trojans will again be one of the favorites for the state title with versatile, skilled weapons like Jessup and Kevin Mitchell. The scary thing for the rest of the state is that they only graduated two varsity players, good ones in Blake O’Grady and Clint Sigg, but with Longmont’s depth of Kolton Bachman, Eli Sullivan, David Speidel, and company, along with an excellent coach in Jeff Kloster, the Trojans should conquer the Northern.
2) Thompson Valley. Last season: 14-10 overall, 10-4 in league.
The Eagles might be a top 16 team in 4A with Jake Hornick (18.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg last season) and Cole Robinson (15 ppg), two strong small school prospects at guard. Jacob Bosse (7.6 ppg) and Julian Espinoza (6.9 ppg, outstanding shooter) provide depth, while Charlie Brunner could make an impact as a sophomore. The Eagles move the ball well and find their many three-point shooters and Hornick is maybe the best player in the league, next to Jose Orrantia, that’s not on Longmont. Thompson Valley is the biggest challenger to Longmont in the Northern.
3) Mountain View. Last season: 12-12, 8-6 in league.
The Mountain Lions had their most amount of wins last year since the 2007-08 season, a 21-victory campaign. With Orrantia (16.9 ppg), a smooth scoring guard back, along with fellow guards Dennis Landry (10.9) and Brett Corona (8.3 ppg), Mountain View might give TV a run for second place. Orrantia is an intriguing prospect with Division II talent. He can get his points in a number of fashions and is a highly skilled, intelligent player. This is a solid team.
4) Silver Creek. Last season: 14-10, 6-8 in league.
The Raptors lose a good portion of their scoring from last year, including Jackson Engles (14.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg). Anthony Kasper (9.2 ppg) is a tough floor general though and Trent Dykema looks ready to fill in as a capable scoring option as just a sophomore. Silver Creek was mostly senior led last winter, but will have a number of returners from the varsity bench. Bob Banning has built a pretty good program.
5) Niwot. Last season: 14-10, 8-6 in league.
The Cougars earned a playoff bid last season under coach Enoch Miller, who is now at Frederick. Most of Enoch’s best players graduated, but new coach Preston Hardy does have senior wing Ryan Kannegieter (10.4 ppg), an ultra-talented shot-maker who poured in 51 three-pointers on 114 attempts (45 percent). He might have to score more like 18-20 points per game in his final go-round with the Cougars to keep them in the upper crust of the conference, but, so much of it also depends on how Niwot’s other players step into varsity roles and how a new coaching staff gels with a new team.
6) Northridge. Last season: 11-12 overall, 5-9 in league.
The Grizzlies were undersized, but athletic last winter. That might be the theme again this year with a team that could struggle on the glass, but can be extremely dangerous in transition and from downtown. They did shoot 41 percent from beyond the arc and return marksmen like Elijah Llamas (66 makes, 41 percent), William Lybeak (18 makes, 50 percent), and Nykolas Lange (14 makes, 37 percent). This team is efficient offensively, led by Llamas, who averaged 13.2 points. He also racked up 35 points in a rivalry win over Greeley West and had over 20 points in four other games. As a junior, the guard should be a more consistent offensive force night in and night out, something that could carry Northridge to a top four finish in the Northern.
7) Centaurus. Last season: 7-16 overall, 4-10 in league.
Senior guard Logan Platt (8.3 ppg, 42 percent from three) and junior guard Eric Gambon (5.4 ppg) will be counted on for major production for a team hoping to seal more wins after losing a number of close ones last year. Centaurus also has a new coach in Travis Maron.
8) Greeley Central. Last season: 2-21 overall, 1-13 in league.
After winning 19 games and reaching the Sweet 16 two years ago, the Wildcats couldn’t overcome graduating their top six scorers. The good thing is that Central now returns nearly their entire team, so two wins might turn into double digit wins fairly easily.
Preseason All-Conference Teams
Preseason Player of the Year: Justinian Jessup
First Team
Justinian Jessup, 6-foot-5 senior guard, Longmont.
Kevin Mitchell, 6-foot-3 senior guard/forward, Longmont
Jake Hornick, 6-foot-1 senior guard, Thompson Valley
Jose Orrantia, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Mountain View
Cole Robinson, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Thompson Valley
Second Team
Elijah Llamas, 5-foot-10 junior guard, Northridge
Dennis Landry, 5-foot-10 senior guard, Mountain View
Ryan Kannegieter, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Niwot
Anthony Kasper, 5-foot-11 senior guard, Silver Creek
Kolton Bachman, 6-foot-1 senior guard, Longmont