Games of the Week Coming off of the Break
It feels as if it has been forever since we had basketball but we are finally here and here are the games of the week coming off of the holiday break and this time we are switching it up. There…
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Continue ReadingIt feels as if it has been forever since we had basketball but we are finally here and here are the games of the week coming off of the holiday break and this time we are switching it up. There will be 4A schools as well as 3A in this one as games of the week. Unfortunately, most of the good games are on Friday so have to choose wisely on which game to get out to but if you could make it to one, get out and watch as they compete heading into the new year.
Thursday
Chaparral versus Lewis Palmer
Battles of the No. 1 teams going at it and we are here for it. This is going to be quite the battle as there is bragging rights on the line of who is really the top team in the state regardless of classification. On the 4A side of things there is Lewis Palmer who has been a delight to start out the year.
Chap is 9-1 on the year and has been getting it done as a team effort but on the offensive end they have been riding the tails of Kobe Sanders who is off to a remarkable start. He is up to 23.0 points a game and has opened things up. What has been interesting to see is how deep this Chaparral team is as a different player that leads in every category. Sanders for scoring, Tanner Giles for assists (3.6 apg), Bryce Matthews is manning the middle (6.7 rpg) and Tizell Lewis (2.0 spg) is defending at a high level. The depth of this team makes it hard for teams to get the upper hand and Lewis Palmer will have their hands full here.
On Lewis Palmer’s side of things, it has been no other than Senior big Joel Scott. Scott has been dominant to start the year as he is off to a whopping 19.0 points and 8.4 rebounds a game and has looked everything like the 4A player of the year. His play has the team undefeated and has been getting help from Noah Baca, Ethan Forrester, and Tre McCollough. This will be a game where the X-factors will have to step up if Lewis Palmer plans on taking down the top team in the state. Look for fireworks in this one.
Overland versus Eaglecrest
An interesting conference game to start out the New Year, sign me up.
This is going to be a good game to watch as there are key matchups that really stand out. Down low it will be Graham Ike for Overland versus Thurbil Bile. Ike has been on a tear and has went at every big man that has come his way both in-state and out of state. He is up to 17.6 points and 10.8 rebounds a game and has massive size with great footwork to go along with it which is a tough guard every night out. Bile is one of the state’s best rebounders and glass cleaners as he has great length and is able to defend at a high level as well. He is up to 11.2 points and 7.9 rebounds a game and also has 2.0 steals a game to shows how active he is on that end of the court. The guard battle will also be interesting as Hezekiah Swanson for the Trailblazers has pushed the pace and got others involved. He is at 13.6 points and 5.2 assists a game and applies pressure all game as one of the state’s best on-ball defenders. The Raptors counter that with guards Zion Ruckard and Aaron Bokol. Zion is a true point guard that does all of the right things. He is aggressive, finds the open man and controls the game. Bokol started the year slow but has really come on. He is leading the team in points at 17.0 a game and has helped on the boards at 5.9 a game as well. He is a difference maker that can get it going at any time and Eagle crest will have to ride him if they want to win the game.
Columbine versus Range view
Here is a pretty solid player in Luke O’ Brien at 18 points, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks an against a very good and well-balanced team. Also, for the Rebels has been Cody Ramming (8.9 points and 8.0 rebounds a game). These two will have to go up against one of the state’s best all-around teams that can have a leading scorer or top player every single night. If it is not Quincey Jewett it is Christopher Speller, if it is not Speller it is Jodaun Dotson and each one of those guys can get it done on any given night. It is difficult to game plan for this bunch as they have so many playmakers and are a team that can switch it up. They have one fast-paced high scoring games as well as slow and methodical ones. This will be a good game to see who stands out and comes out on top.
Friday
The Vanguard School versus St. Mary
In our first 3A matchup we have a school in Vanguard that has been off to a rocky start but is ready to right the ship and they get to in a good game against a pretty good St. Mary squad.
This should come as no surprise but Seth Fuqua is one of the state’s leading scorers yet again. It is getting boring saying it at this point but he is one of the state’s most lethal scorers as he really can get it going in every way. He is the epitome of consistency. He shoots the ball at a high level, he finishes at the rim with either hand, he can create off of the dribble and is a great playmaker that gets others involved, this is the year that it is all coming together. One of the reasons that this year feels different for Vanguard is because they have help from others. Alongside Fuqua which has been a great compliment has been Junior standout Dominique Clifford. Clifford is at 18.7 points and 8.8 rebounds a game and is coming off of a game that he put up 27 points out of state. He has been aggressive all year and a matchup nightmare and seeing the two get going has been great.
St. Mary is a team that is one of the faster teams in the state as far as pace goes. They are at 82.3 points a game and that’s because they have three players averaging double digits points a game. Freshman Sam Howery is having one of the best freshman years of the state of any classification as he is putting up 16.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.1 steals a game as a stat stuffer. He has been the team’s best and most consistent player but has had help from Gabe Calhoun (11.5 points & 7.0 rebounds a game) and Sophomore Luke Stockelman (11.0 points, 2.5 spg) and this makes up for a team that has plenty of players that can step up and catch Vanguard by surprise. This is going to be a high scoring game with plenty of action throughout the night. Expect a close one.