4A Tournament Preview and Predictions: Maceo Brodnax Region
The Maceo Brodnax Region is full of up-and-coming programs eager to make a big mark on the grand stage. There are some really strong under-the-radar players, many still-unsigned athletes in the 2016 class, who will have a chance to show…
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Continue ReadingThe Maceo Brodnax Region is full of up-and-coming programs eager to make a big mark on the grand stage.
There are some really strong under-the-radar players, many still-unsigned athletes in the 2016 class, who will have a chance to show their stuff to a larger audience.
Below is a look at each of the first-round matchups in the region:
No. 1 Pueblo West (20-3) vs. No. 8 Mesa Ridge (12-11)
Pueblo Central’s Mike Ranson has gained deserved notoriety this season for his head-turning scoring prowess, but he’s not the only guy getting buckets in Pueblo. West’s David Simental is averaging 24.3 points per game this season, second only to Ranson in 4A. Just nine days ago, in a win over Pueblo Centennial, Simental poured in 41 points. Any chance Mesa Ridge has of pulling off a monumental upset will hinge on whether they can create a plan to somehow slow the West sharpshooter.
Players to watch
Pueblo West
David Simental, 6-2 junior guard. Simental, whose sister plays for the University of Denver, can hit from just about anywhere on the court and can get hot in a hurry.
Kenny Tack, 6-5 senior forward. Tack is a big, strong forward who averages more than 13 points per game. He displayed solid athleticism at our Prep Hoops Colorado Combine last fall, and he’s a go-to source of offense in the low post.
Nieyeme Smyer-Williams, 5-10 sophomore guard. Averaging 11.5 points per game.
Mesa Ridge
Caleb Stewart, 6-1 guard/forward. Stewart has a strong frame and plays bigger than his size. He’s averaging 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Dalen Jackson, 5-9, junior point guard. He leads the team in scoring (14.6) and assists (4.1).
Deven Nelson, 6-2 guard/forward. The three-sport star is one of the best sophomore hoopers in the state. He’s third on the Grizzlies at 13.9 points per game.
Prediction: Pueblo West
No. 4 Durango (16-7) vs. No. 5 Mountain View (15-8)
Durango finished third in the hotly contested Southwestern League and enters the playoffs riding a three-game winning streak. Mountain View finished in a tie for second in the Northern League at 11-3 and has won four straight. That creates an intriguing matchup between two teams peaking at the right time.
Players to watch
Durango
Orion Clay, 6-3 senior forward. Clay leads the team in scoring (13.8) and rebounding (5.4).
Lukas Baken, 5-9 senior guard. The three-sport star averages 9.5 points per game.
Mountain View
Jose Orrantia, 6-3 senior guard. Orrantia is one of the top unsigned 2016 players in Colorado, a combination of strength and talent who is averaging 17.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Dennis Landry, 6-0 guard. Averaging 12 points per game. He dropped a season-high 29 points just eight days ago in a victory over Silver Creek.
Prediction: Mountain View
No. 3 Vista PEAK (18-5) vs. No. 6 Thompson Valley (16-7)
Vista PEAK is on a five-game winning streak. The Bison beat Fort Morgan 69-54 on Friday to claim the top seed in the Colorado 7 League. They are paced by a quick backcourt and excel at sharing the ball in transition. Thompson Valley tied for second in the Northern League at 11-3 and have won eight out of their last 10 games. Thompson Valley is balanced with four players averaging at least nine points per game. The Eagles are led by seniors Jake Hornick and Cole Robinson, both bound for small-college programs next season.
Players to watch
Vista PEAK
Te’Rae Johnson, 5-11 sophomore guard. Johnson is one the state’s top sophomores and is quick in the open court with an ability to get to basket and finish through contact. He’s averaging a team-high 14.4 points per game.
Marquise Johnson, 5-11 junior guard. A transfer from Aurora Central, Johnson is another player who can create problems with his ability to penetrate.
Tre Early, 6-1 junior guard. Averaging 11.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Thompson Valley
Jake Hornick, 6-1 senior guard. Hornick leads the team at 17.2 points and 6.0 rebounds a game to go with 3.1 assists. He’s failed to score in double figures only twice all season.
Cole Robinson, 6-1 senior guard. Robinson, who will play at Nebraska Wesleyan next season, had offseason knee surgery and took some time to find his groove again, but has gained solid steam in the latter half of the season, averaging 12 points per game over his last eight.
Jacob Bosse, 6-1 senior guard. The three-sport star is averaging 9.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Prediction: Thompson Valley
No. 2 Denver South (16-7) vs. No. 7 Mitchell (10-3)
Of South’s seven losses, six came against 5A teams, most of them the top-10 variety. Their only 4A loss came by three points. The Rebels are quick, strong and talented, and have a coach in Malik Fletcher who led the team to the state championship game just two seasons ago. South is paced by Chudier Bile who is one of the most talented players in the tournament. He will be a load to stop for any team that faces him. The Rebels aren’t a particularly strong shooting team, but they make up for that with tenacity and an ability to turn pressure defense into transition buckets. The Marauders finished in a time for second in the Colorado Springs Metro League at 10-4.
Players to watch
Denver South
Chudier Bile, 6-6 senior forward. The unsigned senior is averaging 19 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He gets much of his offense around the basket, but he can also step out and hit the 3-pointer.
Jamison Jendrusch, 5-10 senior guard. Jendrusch is a skilled playmaker who makes up for being undersized with a fearless approach that helps him finish at the rim against bigger defenders. He does a great job setting up offense, whether on the break or in transition. He’s one of the state’s leading distributors at 6.6 assists per game to go with 10.4 points.
Cortney Dean, 6-3 sophomore forward. While still a little raw offensively, Dean has solid athleticism and a great motor that helps him thrive on the glass and in transition. His highlights are filled with hustle plays.
Mitchell
Quincy Bryant, 5-10 senior guard. Leads the team at 17 points per game.
Quindell Bryant, 5-10 junior guard. The stat-sheet stuffing guard averages 12.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Prediction: Denver South