5A Tournament Second-Round Preview and Predictions: Bill Weimar Region
The Class 5A playoffs started on Wednesday with 16 first-round games. The state’s highest classification was all chalk early as only one road team (No. 9 Highlands Ranch over No. 8 Monarch) came away with a victory. In the Bill…
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Continue ReadingThe Class 5A playoffs started on Wednesday with 16 first-round games. The state’s highest classification was all chalk early as only one road team (No. 9 Highlands Ranch over No. 8 Monarch) came away with a victory. In the Bill Weimar Region, a couple of road teams, with some of the state’s top players, might be able to secure wins in the second round on Saturday though.
Below we break down each second-round matchup:
No. 8 Chaparral (9-15) at No. 1 Rangeview (23-0), 3 p.m.
The Scoop: The Wolverines led early and often during a 66-60 home win over Broomfield to open the playoffs. Chaparral is now 5-4 in their last nine games, despite featuring what might be the state’s youngest starting lineup with three freshmen. To already host and win a tournament game with their youth is impressive. Rangeview, unbeaten and unchallenged in weeks, is a daunting team for anyone to face though. This game has plenty of storylines.
Players to watch
Chaparral
Dominic Coleman, 6-4 senior guard. Coleman came through against Broomfield with 22 points, five rebounds and four steals. He also went four of eight from beyond the arc. His experience and ability to impact contests with his scoring touch, work on the glass and defensive pedigree has paid off for Chaparral.
Ronnie Degray III, 6-4 freshman forward.The first-year played like a grown man against Broomfield, bullying the Eagles in the paint for 18 points and 11 rebounds. He grabbed six offensive boards and chipped in three assists as well.
Bryce Matthews, 6-4 freshman forward. Matthews tallied seven points and six rebounds in round one of the playoffs. He’s the team’s second-leading scorer (8.6 ppg).
Rangeview
Tyrei Randall, 6-5 senior wing. Randall is one of the best pure talents in 2016, as evidenced by a team-leading 17.2 ppg (51 percent from field, 42 percent from three). He’s at a level where earning first team all-state honors at the conclusion of the season wouldn’t be a surprise.
Elijah Blake, 6-2 junior guard. Blake, our No. 8 prospect in the latest 2017 rankings, has the physical attributes to have a chance at suiting up for a D-I program. He’s been an all-around contributor for the Raiders while averaging 10.3 points, 3.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.4 steals. Blake has also grown into more of a threat from beyond the arc, an element of his game that he hadn’t implored much before this season.
Elijah Reed, 6-3 senior forward. Reed is an energizer, a versatile senior who breathes life into his team. The South Dakota football recruit has also been consistently productive (16 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.2 spg).
Jalen Guidry, 6-1 senior point guard. Guidry helps Rangeview’s offense flow, averaging 5.9 assists, and he’s a solid junior college prospect with speed, feel and true point guard skills.
Prediction: Rangeview
No. 5 Arvada West (16-8) at No. 4 Grandview (13-10), 6 p.m.
The Scoop: The Wildcats cruised to the next round with a 54-34 win over Castle View. They are a classic No. 5 seed, a team that has battled inconsistency to some degree, but a group with the potential to make a lengthy run. Grandview had a first-round bye. This game could be won with a complete effort as both teams can play inside and out.
Players to watch
Arvada West
Luke Neff, 6-0 senior guard. Neff played like Neff in round one, tallying 17 points and five three-pointers. When he’s hot, he can shoot teams right out of the gym.
Will Wittman, 6-3 senior wing. The senior was really active against Castle View with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while operating with efficiency on offense. Wittman has flash to his game, his above-the-rim play draws attention, but he’s also a steady presence and talented college prospect.
Dallas Walton, 7-0 senior center. Walton finished the first round with six points and nine rebounds, a quieter effort, but he’ll be counted on in a big way against a tough opponent. He’s a key ingredient to what Arvada West hopes is a recipe for a Sweet 16 or beyond run.
Grandview
Lechaun Duhart, 5-11 junior guard. Duhart started the season with a 33-point effort in a win over Castle View. He takes and makes a lot of shots, averaging 18.8 points in the unforgiving Centennial League, and notching 13 games of 20+ points. Duhart has been outstanding for Grandview.
Gage Prim, 6-6 junior forward. Prim placed himself on our radar this season, averaging 15 points and 8.7 rebounds. He posted a 19-point, 8-rebound performance in an eye-opening 53-50 upset of Overland on Jan. 27. He’s now our No. 46 prospect in 2017.
Ben Boone, 6-4 sophomore forward. If you haven’t caught on yet, the Wolves will have a reputable core returning. Boone has been a strong player as a sophomore, contributing an average of 8.5 points, along with 42 three-point makes.
Prediction: Arvada West
No. 7 Palmer (14-10) at No. 2 Cherokee Trail (17-6), 6 p.m.
The Scoop: Palmer was in a first-round battle that was probably closer than expected against Ralston Valley (9-15), but a varsity group with only seniors never panicked, outscoring the Mustangs 34-16 in the second and fourth quarters combined to win 55-48 at home. The Terrors can match-up with Cherokee Trail physically, but they’ll need a great effort to take down a worthy No. 2 seed on the road. The Cougars are a threat for the Final Four.
Players to watch
Palmer
Will Ross, 6-4 senior forward. Ross had a monstrous dunk against 6-foot-11 Antonio Capley, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette, and finished the game with 14 points. He’s a grinder in the paint.
Isaiah Clausell-Reese, 5-9 senior point guard. Not the biggest player around, Clausell-Reese led Palmer with 15 points in the playoff opener. He also averages three assists.
Antonio Handford, 6-6 senior forward. Handford came off the bench and had a critical 13 points against Ralston Valley. He also had a steal turned into a dunk that ignited his team in the second quarter, according to the Gazette.
Cherokee Trail
David Thornton, 6-4 senior forward. Thornton and Lottie are both legitimate all-state candidates, and the 200-pounder has displayed strength, finishing ability (regularly throwing down convincing dunks), and an aggressiveness that has carried him to averages of 19.6 points and 8.6 rebounds.
Jaizec Lottie, 6-0 junior point guard. Lottie is a co-super talent with Thornton, a dynamic do-it-all point guard with multiple Division I offers already. He’s accounted for 16.5 points and 5.7 assists per night.
Ronnie Barfield, 6-3 senior wing. Barfield, a tough defensive player, is a slashing offensive threat averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He has yet to make his college choice.
Prediction: Cherokee Trail
No. 6 Fossil Ridge (17-7) at No. 3 Legend (18-5), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: In a first-round victory over Brighton by 14 points in a game that had stretches of very close play, Braxton Bertolette was the ultimate difference-maker again with 37 points while finishing 8-for-10 from the three-point line. The Sabercats have an offense that could keep them in the game on the road at Legend. But the Titans have every reason to be ready for this one with five senior starters, the same lineup they had during a run to the Great 8 a season ago.
Players to watch
Fossil Ridge
Bertolette, 6-2 junior guard. As mentioned, the junior accumulated 37 points during a 73-59 home-showing against Brighton.
Jackson Everhart, 6-4 senior guard. A lengthy player, Everhart had 10 points against Brighton, averages 15.2, and has received interest from several college programs at the D-II, D-III and NAIA levels.
Garrett Schmidt, 6-1 senior guard. Schmidt, who had 11 points in the tourney opener, is a skilled small-college prospect averaging over 10 in the scoring department.
Legend
Monroe Porter, 6-4 senior guard. On a team with four seniors in the top-29 of the 2016 rankings, Porter is known for his defensive play (2.4 spg) and his perimeter shooting (12.1 ppg, 45 three-pointers). The Western State recruit is also averaging seven rebounds, a great number for a guard, and is a high-level athlete.
Jared Small, 6-6 senior wing. Small (8.7 ppg) can break defenders down with the dribble or pull-up with a smooth mid-range shot. The wiry and fluid wing will probably end up at a juco.
Danny Garrick, 6-5 senior wing. Garrick, a Casper College signee, is a three-point shooter (38 percent), explosive leaper, and productive two-way talent (13.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg).
Riley Matticks, 6-1 senior guard. Matticks, who will likely go the juco or prep school route next year as well, can get to the rim (11.8 ppg) and distribute (4.8 apg) well. He’s one of the best senior point guards in Colorado.
Prediction: Legend