Preview: Colorado Teams in the Tarkanian Classic-Part II
The Tarkanian Classic is a prestigious tournament that takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The tournament begins on December 20th and showcases some of the top talent in high school basketball from across the country. Here, we’re previewing the Colorado teams in the tournament, who they’re up against and ways that they could win their opening game.
Chaparral vs. Camarillo
The Camarillo Scorpions is a team from Camarillo, California that’s been up and down to start the year. They’re 3-3 on the year but all three losses were by four points or less. They’re best player Jaime Jaquez Jr. is putting up more than half of their average points a game at a whopping 30.2 points per game. He also averages 11 rebounds per game and will give the Wolverines all they can handle. Alongside him are Senior Jonathan Daniels (15.8 pts, 8.2 rbs) and Mark Bolo (10.4 pts, 6.2 rbs). The Scorpions have been on the boards heavy and this trio can compete with the best of them. Will be a fun and high scoring game for sure.
Chaparral is another undefeated team in the state of Colorado that’s ready to prove that they’re for real. They’re scoring 70 points a game which is at one of the highest rates in the state thanks in part to Ronnie Degray III. He’s averaging 20.3 points to go along with 6.3 rebounds per game. Joseph Dalton (12.3 pts, 5.7 rbs) and Kobe Sanders (11.2 pts, 4.3 ast) have also been key contributors to the team’s success. The Wolverines have been aggressive offensively as they’ve pushed the pace but not many teams in the state have been able to keep them off the boards. They will take that to Vegas.
Overland vs. Bishop Gorman
Bishop Gorman is one of the best high schools in all of Las Vegas and has produced a few NBA players in recent years. They’re off to a 5-1 start thanks in part to Jamal Bey (25.3 pts, 8.7 rbs) and Noah Taitz (17.3 pts). These players have been fantastic to start the year and have had the Gaels as one of the favorites to win it all this year. They’ve won in convincing fashion and are aggressive throughout the entirety of the game. They’ll surely play an up-tempo style against the Trailblazers in Vegas.
Overland has yet to win a game in-state, so maybe a change of scenery is where they find it. It won’t be easy going up against a talented Bishop Gorman squad. The Trailblazers are led by Senior Tucson Redding (16.3 pts, 4.5 rbs) both on the offensive end and defensively. He’s knocked down shots, used his playmaking abilities to set up teammates and brought intensity on the defensive end as well, he just hasn’t produced in the category that matters most—winning. Him, Daijon Smith and Goy Wang Jr. will have to be at their best if they plan on beating Bishop Gorman and someone on the team must step up and try and stop Bey and Taitz or it’ll be a long day.
Valor Christian vs. Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is a team from El Dorado Hills, California and is a perfect 5-0 to start the year. They’re a big team that’s won blowouts, they’ve won some close ones so they’re definitely battle tested and will be ready for Valor. They’re a team that attacks the boards relentlessly and keep teams at bay on defense as no team they’ve faced so far has gotten over 53 points. Oak Ridge will bang inside with Valor and play at a slower pace that the Eagles will have to counter.
Valor Christian has started out the year slower than they wanted to as they sit at 1-3 on the season, but have lost to some quality opponents. This is another tough opponent for them that they have to prepare for so Jeremy Randle (17.0 pts, 3.8 rbs) and Hunter Shkapich (10.8 pts, 2.8 rbs) will have to find out a way to close. Sophomore Roger Rosengarten (7.5 pts, 5.5 rbs) has been the X factor for the Eagles and will be asked to do more than he’s done. This will be quite the task for a team ready to prove themselves.