Prep Hoops Colorado Player of the Year: Colbey Ross
Yesterday we revealed the results of our first Fan Vote Player of the Year, which was rewarded to standout two-way George Washington guard Jervay Green.
Today, we reveal our staff selection to be the 2016-17 Prep Hoops Colorado Player of the Year.
It was no easy decision. Green was a worthy choice who lifted the Patriots to the state title game with his play on both ends of the court. Jalen Sanders, the 6-5 forward from Valor Christian, stuffed the stat sheet in just about every way imaginable while leading the Eagles to their first state championship.
Those two, and several others we considered, would have been fine choices.
In the end, we went with the player who closed a storied prep career with the ultimate prize: a 5A state championship.
Yes, Colbey Ross is our selection as the second annual Prep Hoops Colorado Player of the Year, following Overland’s De’Ron Davis from a season ago. Ross helped lead the Raptors to the Elite Eight in each of his four seasons, the Final Four in his final three, the title game in his final two and, at last, a title in his final game.
The 6-1 Pepperdine-bound guard averaged 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and 2.4 steals per game, affecting every game in a grand way. The state championship game was no different. He had a game-high 15 points, hit all six of his free-throw attempts and added four rebounds, four assists and two steals. In short, in the game his team needed him the most, Ross gave them everything.
His knack for clutch shots was perhaps the most memorable part of Ross’ career. His late 3-pointer in the semifinals against Rock Canyon this season rescued the Raptors from what looked like a sure loss. He’s 3-pointer at the buzzer of the third quarter in the title game was what lit the fuse for Eaglecrest’s final push toward the title.
Clutch was a part of who Ross was during a career to remember. We can only imagine we’ll see many more of those plays as he begins his college career at Pepperdine, and we wish Colbey nothing but the best in the next chapter.