Games of the Week: Jan 22nd-26th
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Looking ahead at a very busy week of basketball and this might be the most intriguing week of games there is which is capped off by a monster slate of games set on Wednesday. Feels as if it is unjust…
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Continue ReadingLooking ahead at a very busy week of basketball and this might be the most intriguing week of games there is which is capped off by a monster slate of games set on Wednesday. Feels as if it is unjust if there is not just a Wednesday preview alone. Unsure how we can choose a game of the week there but plenty to take a look at. Here’s the games that really stood out.
Tuesday
Aurora Central versus Gateway
Here is a matchup between two of the most surprising teams to begin the year. Aurora Central is 11-4 and is looking for a signature win. Albeit if they happen to beat Gateway it will not be the biggest one to secure a better playoff seeding but it is a step in the right direction. They are led by a dynamic duo of Malachi Owens and Kaleb Atherly. Owens is eading the team in scoring (17.2), assists (2.9) and steals (3.4) and Atherly has been the perfect complement as he is averaging a double-double of 14.6 points and 12.4 rebounds a game. These two will try and keep the Trojans winning but it will not come easy as Gateway has a bunch that does not give up. Gateway is undefeated in league play and it is because they are balanced. Kywan Jones leads the team in points at 14.0 points and 5.6 rebounds a game but his play is propelled by all players being on the same page. They have the inside force of D.J Wilson and guard play of Noah Harrison bringing it together and this is a team that looks ahead of the curve. This should be a fun one.
Wednesday
Faith Christian vs. Manual
Manual has put together a string of good games and find themselves as a top team in their class. They are led by no other than Jaedon Bowles who is no.2 on the scoring list in the state at 26.6 points a game. He is also averaging 7.7 rebounds a game and does not look to be slowing down any time soon. He shoots the ball, scores inside and goes right at defenders and that is rare to see at this age. He is a confident player that is not afraid to shoot it and the team has been inspired enough to get involved this year which has Manual as a true contender. Manual is one of the highest scoring teams in the state and that is because they have five players in double figures in Bowles, Jaden Stoffell, Adontre Thompson and Davion Davis. Thompson is averaging 15.1 points and a team best 10.6 rebounds a game and keeps plays alive with his work on the glass. This will be a big test to see how well he plays against other solid big men as welcome in a 10-3 Faith Christian team that rebounds well and takes care of the ball. Junior big man Caleb Ruter is at 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds a game and will give Thompson all that he can handle down low as the matchup of the game. He has soft touch around the rim and is very efficient while being able to score in bunches. Quarterback and standout wing Isaiah Kroll also have showed up this year. He is at 14 points a game and also helps on the boards with 7.5 rebounds as well and will be a player that see’s Bowles for a majority of the time. As long as these two are going this Faith Christian team is strong. I expect a high scoring close one throughout where the team with the greatest number of rebounds wins the game.
Cheyenne Mountain vs. Lewis Palmer
On a packed Wednesday the game I like most is this one because of how much firepower there is. Cheyenne Mountain has something extra to play for and have rallied. They are inspired and it is showing. They are 12-2 on the season and are led by one of the best juniors in the entire state, Javonte Johnson, that is making his claim for the top spot with incredible numbers. He is a guard that is putting up 26 points and 10 rebounds, both of which are amongst the top in the state. He is also the emotional leader and player that teams prepare for and still have not come up with answers on how to stop. I am excited to see how Lewis-Palmer defends him being that they are one of the top teams in the state and with that players like Will Louis and Nicholas Bassett will have to step up. This is a HUGE game for them as on the other side there is the top team in 4A and maybe the state. Lewis Palmer has some big ones already and are pretty much locked up as the No.1 seed throughout playoffs and this will be adding a notch to their belt. They are led by standout big man Joel Scott who has been what we expected; remarkable. He is up to 17.9 points and 6.5 rebounds a game and a matchup nightmare all season. Unsure who will slow him down from Cheyenne Mountain so expect another big game. Alongside him has been Matthew Ragsdale. Ragsdale had one of the best summers, suffered an injury and just like that is back and dominating. He is at 17.4 points a game and is one of the state’s best scorers as he can do it in so many ways. This duo has separated themselves from the bunch and it has led to an undefeated season. Expect this game to be sold out, chaotic and full of highlight plays. This is the one to see.
Thursday
Highlands Ranch vs. Chaparral
Chaparral has reclaimed the top spot in 5A with a comfortable win against Mountain Vista who had the top spot. The Wolverines get it done with great guard play in Kobe Sanders (19.8 points), Tanner Giles )11.8 ppg and a versatile wing with great touch in Joseph Dalton, but also interior play of Bryce Matthews. This teams gets after it on both ends of the court and play for one another which has made them that much better. It is going to be tough to slow this team down with Sanders having such an amazing junior season. Highlands Ranch combats that with strong big man play. Two players that stand out an will have to be big in this game is their high fliers. Konor Lathrop and Ryker Cisarik can both get out on the break and dunk it for easy baskets. Highlands Ranch is a team that can switch it up with high scoring fast paced games or a slow and methodical approach and against the Wolves they will have to do a bit of both.
Castle View vs. Thunder Ridge
Castle view is up there for most surprising start of the year but things have seemed to all have come together as Chase Hettinger is still terrorizing opposing teams with his aggressive and confident offensive play. He is up to 24.3 points a game and is one of the most capable scorers in the state as he can knock down jump shots, pull up over a defender if need be or dunk it down the lane. He has had help from big man Michael Poux down low who has been extraordinary on the glass and also massive contributions from Bryson Lindsey as well. Lindsey is at 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds and has been the scoring relief when Hettinger is out of the game. Having two guys to go to with a big man also grabbing every rebound has the Saber cats off to one of the best starts in recent past and this week they are looking at their roughest week of basketball as they go up against two of the state’s best teams. Thunder Ridge is a well-oiled machine and a system that continues. They are 13-3 on the season and are led by the state’s best group of big men – Austin Holt, Kevin Sax and Bailey Verk have all manned the middle and caused havoc down low. They all are versatile enough to put it on the ground and run the break as well. They also have underclassmen Nolan Marold and Garrett Arnold contributing as well and this is a deep bunch that gets it. Excited to see Poux against some of the state’s most talented bigs and also how T-Ridge handles Hettinger on the perimeter.