Tarkanian Classic Update
A few of our teams went to the prestigious Tarkanian Classic tournament in Las Vegas to showcase what our state has to offer against some of the top teams in the country. Here is a quick update so far of how our teams have fared.
Grandview
Grandview is in the Platinum division and won their first game with a thrilling finish 69-63 over Coronado Cougars from Nevada. Lian Ramiro led the game with 23 points and asserted himself on the offensive end including a huge second half. Dayne Prim also finished with 19 points and was all over the boards. Grandview then fell to a talented Rancho Christian team out of California 63-55. They are up against highly touted Chino Hills on Friday afternoon before starting the tournament portion.
Valor Christian
Valor is in the Gatorade division and has not started out the Classic as great as they would have liked. They are 0-2 so far dropping their first game 76-73 to Timpanogos High School from Utah and also Centennial High School from Las Vegas. They need to find some answers soon before they go winless and get a crack at it late tonight when they face-off against Central High School out of Fresno, California. A bright spot has been Cole Bott who is coming off of a game where he put up 17 points and five rebounds and also Roger Rosengarten who finished with a team high 20-points and 11 rebounds in their last game. Both have been aggressive on the offensive end and doing all they can to push Valor to victory, they just have to capitalize if they want to turn things around against a team that has struggled early on as well.
Chaparral
Chaparral is also in the Gatorade division and has been incredible to start the year. They just lost their first game of the year in a hard-fought battle against Timpview (Provo, UT) 66-58 and look to bounce back Friday afternoon against Boyd Anderson. The Wolverines are 1-1 in the Tarkanian Classic and have been doing it as a collective bunch. Kobe Sanders has been leading the way as he finished with 19 points against Leuzinger and attempted to keep Chap around against Timpview. Bryce Matthews led the team with 18 points against Leuzinger and has been a force down low as well, they will have to ride these two if they plan on continuing their winning ways against a Boyd Anderson team that has struggled to defend and put up points early in the season.
Lincoln
Lincoln is in the Nike Teams division and lost their first game as they had a disappointing performance against a team that has not been good to start the year in Capital Christian (Sacramento, CA) as they allowed them to receive their first win of the season in a 72-41 beating, but go back to their winning ways against Lexington Catholic (Lexington, Kentucky) as they won in nail-biting fashion 44-43. Senior big man James Felton led the Lancers yet again with 17 points and was his springy self all game. He impacts the game with his energy, motor and drive as he does not give up on any play. He also changes the game on the defensive end and is having a solid senior season. Ty Foster and Tijani “TJ” Bamba finished with 10 points apiece as well and continue to get to the rim and disrupt the defense. As long as this team is attacking they can compete but when they settle for jumpers with such an athletic bunch is when they struggle. Let’s hope to see them get back to their in the paint scoring ways when they go up against Liberty (Henderson, NV) late tonight.
Range view
Range view is in the Select Division and continues to impress. They won their first game against Juan Diego Catholic by a score of 59-45 and remain one of the best defensive teams in the state. They are a bunch that buuys in on both ends of the floor and has the personal to get after it in the open court. Quincey Jewett has been off to a great start but with Christian and Christopher Speller also out on the wings and also Jodaun Dotson opening things up it allows this team to remain a solid bunch. They have a noon game on Friday against Democracy Prep Agassi Campus out of Vegas who has a solid player in Najeed Muhammad that can light it up. Defense will have to be on display yet again.
Overland
Overland is also in the Select division and got them a win against Grant High School (Portland, OR) 78-64. In the win it was Ike Graham who led the team in scoring at 22 points as he has been almost unstoppable down low. He has good footwork and uses his size to takeover in games. Scouts have been taking a look at how he has been able to use his size to score over smaller defenders. Alongside him was Hezekiah Swanson who had 16 points and scoring outburst from Trevon Deden (12 points) and Kaleb Chaney (13 points). This team has been able to get their baskets on the defensive end and have come together to force turnovers and score on the fast break. If they continue that they can get another win in their Friday afternoon bout against Desert Vista out of Phoenix.
Denver East
Denver East left the Great Western Shootout and came straight to a win against Prestonwood Christian out of Plano, Texas 67-58. He led the team in scoring and showed the ability to get out on the break and finish and pick apart the defense. It is good to see him get it going again with his scoring and also involving others as well. Guard, Patrick Steed also showed up against Prestonwood as he was able to score a few baskets and his play helped lead to a win.