Five Takeaways: Denver East vs. George Washington
Denver East and George Washington battled it out for the Denver Prep League championship in front of a sell-out crowd down at the Thunderdome in Denver. George Washington escaped with an 82-78 victory in a highly contested and fast paced game that brought out the both in best teams in preparation for the state playoffs. This was a highly anticipated game that you didn’t want to miss, but if you did, here’s what happened.
For all the marbles
This wasn’t only just a regular season game between two Top-5 teams, this wasn’t only just the last game to close out the 2017-18 season, this wasn’t only the last game for a few players that packed out the Thunderdome but this was for all the marbles, the winner could call themselves Denver Prep League champions and George Washington won it again. Intensity was at an all- time high and both teams went through streaks, GW just so happened to ride the momentum which propelled them to a victory.
Xavier Cooper
Xavier Cooper did a little bit of everything. He knocked down shots from beyond the arc and extended the defense, he finished at the rim, he ran the break and filled the passing lanes, he set up teammates and had his best game of the season at the right time. With this being his senior year, it was the perfect time to put together an incredible game to go out on a high note, with his first Denver Prep League championship. He finished with 20 points, making it his eighth straight game in which he finished with double digits points. If he continues playing at a high level, the Patriots will be very tough to beat in the playoffs and can make it back to the state championship.
Daylen Kountz onslaught continues
Daylen Kountz finished off his senior year with a bang. After finishing off the year averaging 22.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 points a game, he concluded it with 28 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals and probably sealed the deal on being crowd Mr. Basketball for the state of Colorado. The University of Colorado commit had the Patriots on their toes all night and continued to be a problem for the defense. He’ll go down as one of the best scorers in East Angels history and a state championship is inside the realm of possibility as long as he’s on the team. Will be an interesting next few weeks that I’m sure he’s ready for.
Foul trouble
In a highly contested back and forth game, fouls are going to happen. Both teams attacked the paint relentlessly and the defensive intensity was just as high which caused the refs to not be as lenient with the whistle. Multiple players stayed in foul trouble which made both teams have to adjust the way they played. There were multiple technical fouls given out, one even for head coach Rudy Carey. Both teams had their best defenders in foul trouble which changed the outcome of the game. Jones and Diallo fouled out for GW, while Pierce finished with four personal fouls. For East, Sass fouled out while Chisel finished with four personal fouls. When the game is being played this fast, fouls are going to happen, it was interesting to see how both teams adjusted.
Highlight play of the game
East guard Ja’Shawn Chisel brings down the house with this fast break slam.
@DenverEastHoops guard J. Chisel cuts the lead to seven after this steal and dunk that gets the crowd on its feet. #copreps pic.twitter.com/WuoSZfplce
— Prep Hoops Colorado (@PrepHoopsCO) February 17, 2018