Prep Hoops 10 Best: Regis Jesuit vs. Rock Canyon
HIGHLANDS RANCH — Rock Canyon had the look Tuesday night of a team that was hungry to play a game. After more than a week since they lost saw the floor, that’s exactly what the Jaguars were — and it showed.…
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Continue ReadingHIGHLANDS RANCH — Rock Canyon had the look Tuesday night of a team that was hungry to play a game.
After more than a week since they lost saw the floor, that’s exactly what the Jaguars were — and it showed.
Rock Canyon dismantled visiting Regis Jesuit 67-38 to open its Continental League schedule, further cementing itself as a legitimate state championship contender.
“Every game we have we try to get better and every possession we have we try to get better,” Rock Canyon coach Kent Grams said after the game. “Obviously, they are a great team and are going to get better. They’ve been at the top of our league for so long. We just want to keep getting better. That’s it.”
The Jags knocked down five 3-pointers in the first half, but it was the stifling defense they employed that made life difficult for the Raiders, who scored only 11 points in the opening 16 minutes.
Here’s a closer look at the game:
MVP: Sam Masten, Rock Canyon
The player of the year candidate dominated the game without forcing any of the action. He had 23 points, blending decisive and quick attacks of the basket with well-time and accurate jump shots. He was simply in control at all times and also made things very difficult for Regis Jesuit’s guards on the defensive end.
Offensive Player of the Game: Tyson Gilbert, Rock Canyon
Playing in just his third game since becoming eligible following his transfer from Highlands Ranch, Gilbert instead looked like he had been in Canyon’s lineup for several years. That’s how comfortable he looked picking his spots and creating offense, whether it was for himself or teammates. He knocked down two early 3-pointers to get the Jags rolling and finished with 15 points. That total was but a small window into how well he opened the floor up for the Jags. He also had four steals and could have easily been the top defensive player.
Defensive Player of the Game: Colin Rardin, Rock Canyon
The 6-5 senior, who scored 15 points, was certainly a worthy candidate for the offensive award, but he really made his mark on defense as well. Rardin doesn’t blow you away athletically, but he’s an incredibly smart player and always knows how to stay ahead of ball-handlers, expertly cutting of angles and forcing opponents into mistakes. He also caused a lot of problems with his length. Plus, his motor never stopped turning.
Play of the Game
Just past the midway point of the first quarter, Rardin caught a pass on the wing and fired a 3-point attempt. Rardin was fouled on his follow through, and as the ball hit the front of the rim, it appeared he was headed to the line for three shots. Instead the ball caromed several times before falling through the net for a 3-pointer, igniting an already rowdy home crowd. Rardin made the free throw to complete the four-point play and give his team a 17-4 lead, and the Jags never looked back.
Best Intangibles: Blake Williams, Rock Canyon
The 6-5 junior really employed his athleticism on the defensive end against the Raiders. He moves his feet well and stays in front of defenders, evident by the charge he drew in the first half. He’s always getting his hands in passing lanes, helping on defense and crashing the boards. He finished with a team-high six rebounds and a steal Tuesday. He’s got a smooth stroke, which he displayed while nailing a corner 3-pointer in the second quarter.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Joe Bryson, Rock Canyon
There were several good candidates for this award, but Bryson stood out with his energy. The 6-8 junior nabbed five rebounds and just generally played his role on both ends without forcing. He played straight up defense that blocked off the paint for a Regis Jesuit team that loves to attack the rim.
Best On The Attack: Masten
He may be one of the best in the state at this period. During one play in the second quarter, Masten found himself at the top of the key with the ball and a defender in front of him. Masten faked to his left ever so subtly, put the ball on the floor with a hard dribble and was at the rim in the blink of an eye. He just has an uncanny sense of how to chart a path to where he’s headed.
Best Underclassmen: Jamil Safieddine, Regis Jesuit
The 6-2 sophomore struggled early in the game, turning the ball over several times and missing a few shots. But he stayed with the game and found a bit of rhythm in the second half. He finished with a team-high 11 points, knocking down two 3-pointers. Safieddine has good natural offensive awareness in his game.
The Story Going Forward for Regis Jesuit: How will this team gel?
The Raiders are incorporating new players onto its roster following the transfer date, including sophomore big men Matt Wheelock and Samba Kane. Both players offer promise, and if anyone can get a team to figure out how all its parts work together, it’s Regis Jesuit coach Ken Shaw. Here’s guessing the Raiders will be a tough out going forward in the Continental League.
The Story Going Forward for Rock Canyon: Is this team capable of a Final Four run?
If the Jaguars continue to play as they did Tuesday, it’s hard to see why not. The Jags have three players — Masten, Gilbert and Rardin — who can score in a variety of ways and a deep cast of unselfish role players eager to contribute to a winning in any way asked. That’s a good formula.
First quarter
RJ – Bannec transition layup. 2-0.
RC – Gilbert 3-pointer. 2-3.
RC – Gilbert 3-pointer. 2-6.
RJ – Bannec midrange jumper. 4-6.
RC – Masten 3-pointer. 4-9.
RC – Masten layup. 4-11.
RC – Rardin 3-pointer/foul. Made FT. 4-15.
RC – Masten midrange jumper. 4-17.
RC – Masten midrange jumper. 4-19.
RC – Masten transition layup. 4-21.
Second quarter
RJ – Lamb 1/2 FT. 5-21.
RC – Rardin 2/2 FT. 5-23.
RC – Gilbert midrange jumper. 5-25.
RJ – Safieddine 2/2 FT. 7-25.
RC – Masten layup. 7-27.
RC – Williams 3-pointer. 7-30.
RJ – Wheelock layup. 9-30.
RC – Janedis 1/2 FT. 9-31.
RC – Rardin layup. 9-33.
RJ – Hobbs 2/2 FT. 11-33.
Third quarter
RC – Masten layup. 11-35.
RJ – Safieddine 3-pointer. 14-35.
RC – Gilbert floater. 14-37.
RJ – Hobbs 2/2 FT. 16-37.
RJ – Bannec layup. 18-37.
RJ – Saffieddine 1/2 FT. 19-37.
RC – Masten 2/2 FT. 19-39.
RJ – Lamb 1/2 FT. 20-39.
RJ – Wheelock layup. 22-39.
RC – Rardin 2/2 FT. 22-41.
RC – Janedis 2/2 FT. 22-43.
RC – Rardin 0/1 FT. 22-43.
RC – Rardin jumper. 22-45.
Fourth quarter
RC – Bley layup. 22-47.
RJ – Safieddine 0/1 FT. 22-47.
RJ – Bannec 2/2 FT. 24-47.
RC – Rardin 3-pointer. 24-50.
RJ – Hobbs layup. 26-50.
RJ – Martinez layup. 28-50.
RC – Masten layup. 28-52.
RC – Gilbert 1/2 FT. 28-53.
RJ – Safieddine 3-pointer. 31-53.
RC – Masten 2/2 FT. 31-55.
RJ – Bannec 1/2 FT. 32-55.
RC – Masten 2/2 FT. 32-57.
RC – Coonts layup. 32-59.
RC – Gilbert runner. 32-61.
RJ – Safieddine 2/2 FT. 34-61.
RC – Gilbert 2/2 FT. 34-63.
RC – Coonts 0/2 FT. 34-63.
RC – Blackburn 2/2 FT. 34-65.
RJ – Lamptey 2/2 FT. 36-65.
RC – Blackburn 1/2 FT. 36-66.
RJ – Lamb 2/2 FT. 38-66.
RC – Eichie 1/2 FT. 38-67.