4A Tournament Preview and Predictions: Guy Gibbs Region
The Guy Gibbs Region of the Class 4A state tournament features some big names in Jonathan Scott, Hunter Maldonado and Mike Ranson. The top two seeds in the region, Lewis-Palmer and Golden, are both very strong, but a number of…
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Continue ReadingThe Guy Gibbs Region of the Class 4A state tournament features some big names in Jonathan Scott, Hunter Maldonado and Mike Ranson. The top two seeds in the region, Lewis-Palmer and Golden, are both very strong, but a number of individual stars could shine bright.
Below we break down each first-round matchup:
No. 1 Lewis-Palmer (22-1) vs. No. 8 Steamboat Springs (12-11)
The Scoop: The Rangers are the hottest team in the classification, riding a 21-game winning streak since a Dec. 3 loss to Pueblo South, a No. 2 seed. L-P is a veteran team that averages 70.2 points and defends at a high level with a number of rangy, athletic 6-foot-4 seniors. They went unbeaten (14-0) in the always tough Pikes Peak League, won back-to-back state championships in 2012 and 2013, and rank as one of the favorites to win it all after losing to eventual champion Air Academy in the semifinals a season ago. The Sailors, a representative from the Western Slope League that went 7-7 in league play, will look to pull off what would be one of the biggest upsets in the bracket.
Players to watch
Lewis-Palmer
Jonathan Scott, 6-4 senior guard. One of the state’s best defenders is also the team’s leading scorer (18 ppg). A versatile combo guard, Scott chips in 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Charlie Hovasse, 6-4, senior forward. Hovasse, averaging 13.3 points, is a weapon on the perimeter (45 percent from three). He scored 36 points in a blowout win over 5A Fossil Ridge in December.
Sam Strasburger, 6-4 senior forward. Strasburger is another three-point marksmen and talented two-player for a balanced team.
Joe Decoud, 6-5 senior forward. Decoud is a strong and athletic player who can do a little of everything for the Rangers.
Steamboat Springs
Jon Rinck, 6-6 senior guard/forward. Rinck is the Sailors’ go-to offensive threat at 15.1 points per night. He’s poured in at least double-digit points in 14 of 17 contests.
Ethan Riniker, 6-2 junior guard. Averaging 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
John Zalesky, 6-0 senior guard. Averaging six points.
Prediction: Lewis-Palmer
No. 4 Evergreen (17-6) vs. No. 5 Rifle (19-4)
The Scoop: The Cougars have been among the Jeffco’s top teams, a league featuring final four contenders like Valor Christian and Golden, throughout the season with a strong 11-4 record. No one player averages more than 11.4 points, but a mixture of sophomores and upperclassmen have all contributed for another team with balance. Rifle, the Western Slope champion, has rolled along to the tune of nearly 20 wins, a level of consistency that makes them a threat.
Players to watch
Evergreen
Brady Bokelman, 6-3 senior forward. Averaging 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals.
Mike Dillon. 6-5 junior forward. Averaging 11.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Ranked prospect.
Chase Rogers, 5-11 sophomore guard. Chipping in 9.6 points.
Rifle
Jacob Boone, 6-6 junior forward. Standout big man averaging 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds and shooting 67 percent from the field.
Avery Lujan, 5-10 senior guard. Talented shooter who has buried 40 percent from three and 78 percent from the line.
Luis Carreon, 5-9 senior guard. A do-it-all undersized guard averaging 8.8 points, 4.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds.
Prediction: Evergreen
No. 3 Vista Ridge (17-6) vs. No. 6 Pueblo Central (13-10)
The Scoop: When it comes down to it, as far as entertainment value, it’s difficult to find a matchup more enticing in the opening round of 4A. Two serious contenders for first team all-state honors—Vista Ridge junior wing Hunter Maldonado and Pueblo Central senior guard Mike Ranson—enter the playoffs talented enough to carry their teams on runs.
Players to watch
Vista Ridge
Maldonado, 6-6 junior wing. Our No. 9 prospect in the 2017 class, Maldonado is a wonderful blend of size, fluidity and athleticism. He’s one of the elite two-way talents in the state and is averaging 21.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, two steals and one block per game.
Noah Beatty, 5-10 junior guard. Averaging 10.9 points.
Jake Goggin, 6-2 senior forward. Averaging 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.
Pueblo Central
Ranson, 6-2 senior guard. The University of Northern Colorado signee is the only player in Colorado averaging over 26 points. Ranson is sitting at 33 ppg. Insanely enough, he’s scored 42+ points on six different occasions.
Beau Gordon, 6-2 senior forward. Gordon isn’t light, he weighs in at 220, and he’s been solid and productive while averaging 7.9 points.
Isaiah Marquez, 5-5 junior guard. Marquez might be the tournament’s smallest player, but he’s quick and effective.
Prediction: Pueblo Central
No. 2 Golden (18-5) vs. No. 7 Silver Creek (14-9)
The Scoop: The Demons, a Great 8 team last season, have a big and physical bunch with their top four scorers all 6-foot-4 or 6-foot-5. They have some star power in Kayden Sund as well. Meanwhile, the Raptors, a representative from the Northern, have size to matchup fairly well in the post, but the team is really carried by their guards.
Players to watch
Golden
Sund, 6-5 junior guard. Sund has been a major riser in the 2017 rankings, now up to No. 36, as he continues to produce for one of 4A’s top teams while averaging 15.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Ryan Blodgett, 6-4 senior forward. Our No. 52 prospect in the 2016 class, Blodgett is a physical presence averaging a near double-double of 13.7 points and nine rebounds.
Cole Harris, 6-4 senior guard. Averaging 11.8 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Adam Thistlewood, 6-5 sophomore guard. Intriguing young player averaging 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Silver Creek
Rhythm Ajanku, 6-0 senior point guard. The floor general has been a stat-stuffer for the Raptors with averages of 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.7 steals per game.
Trent Dykema, 6-4 sophomore guard. The No. 36 prospect in our 2018 rankings, Dykema is averaging 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals.
Sam Schlegel, 6-6 junior forward. Averaging 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Prediction: Golden