Prep Hoops Colorado 5A Team Rankings: Week 4
There was plenty of shakeup in 5A this season as many of the top teams took to Las Vegas to take part in the Tarkanian Classic. Others stayed in Colorado to play in games that produced some exciting finishes.
When the dust settled, there was no change in the top spot, but there was movement elsewhere. Note: these rankings reflect games played through Saturday, Dec. 17.
Check it out:
1. George Washington (8-0; Last week: 1)
The Patriots beat No. 3 Smoky Hill 80-73 on Tuesday then went to Las Vegas and won games over out-of-state foes Redondo Union (Calif.) and Timpview (Utah) to set up a matchup in the bracket semifinals Monday night against Lone Peak, the top program in Utah.
2. Rock Canyon (9-1; LW: 4)
The Jaguars’ only loss this season was a 68-65 neutral-court loss to top-ranked George Washington. Rock Canyon has wins over Eaglecrest, Arapahoe, Dakota Ridge and Overland. The Jags are off until traveling to Mountain Range on Jan. 4.
3. ThunderRidge (7-0; LW: 5)
The Grizzlies began their week with an overtime victory over Lakewood on a game-winner by senior Corey Seng, then won two games at the Tarkanian Classic to remain perfect. Few tandems in the state have been better than senior Seng and junior Kaison Hammonds.
4. Denver East (8-2; LW: 2)
The Angels suffered their first losses of the season at the Tarkanian Classic with losses to Las Vegas power Bishop Gorman on Friday and Windermere Prep out of Florida on Saturday. Kwane Marble, East’s 6-2 sophomore guard, is averaging 15 points per game.
5. Smoky Hill (5-2; LW: 3)
The Buffs bounced back from the loss to George Washington (where they were missing big man John Harge due to illness) by beating Rangeview behind a monster game from 6-3 junior Jahwan Phillips, who has been one of the state’s most impressive risers in the first month of the season.
6. Eaglecrest (4-2; LW: 6)
The Raptors were among many teams playing at the Tarkanian Classic, where they breezed past Durango (Nev.) and then lost 74-61 to Utah’s Lone Peak. That loss came despite 19 points from Colbey Ross.
7. Grandview (7-0; LW: 8)
The Wolves prevailed in overtime over Rampart on the road to kick off last week before traveling to Las Vegas and winning their first two games in their bracket at the Tarkanian Classic.
8. Doherty (5-1; LW: 9)
The Spartans rolled to convincing wins over Dakota Ridge and Mountain Vista behind the sharpshooting of senior guard Brevin Brimble, who poured in a career-high 37 points against MV. Doherty had its game scheduled for Saturday against Legend postponed because of the snowstorm in the area.
9. Chatfield (5-1; LW: 10)
Convincing victories over the Far Northeast Warriors and Fossil Ridge helped the Chargers stay hot. Heading into last week, 6-2 junior guard Joe Miks was averaging 19.3 points per game and shooting 48 percent from 3-point range.
10. Cherokee Trail (5-1; LW: 7)
The Cougars gutted out a 46-42 victory over Legend last week before then dropping a 52-48 loss to Regis Jesuit on Saturday. Tyson Rodgers, a 5-7 junior guard, has emerged as a consistent second scorer behind star Jaizec Lottie. Rodgers is averaging 12 points per game.