5A Big Men to watch in the tourney– Chauncey Billups Region
The 5A State playoffs get started this coming week and there are plenty of great matchups to get out and enjoy. Matchups we focus on here are the battle of the bigs. Here are five big men to take a…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 5A State playoffs get started this coming week and there are plenty of great matchups to get out and enjoy. Matchups we focus on here are the battle of the bigs. Here are five big men to take a look at in the Chauncey Billups region.
Michael Poux – Castle View
Poux is one of the biggest players in the state and his stature makes it difficult to for opposing players to move him or get position. He also is a player that gets to his spots and moves you with pure force and it is seen in his 8.3 points and 11.0 rebounds a game. Poux is used in the pick and roll as he sets hard screens and can pop out for the open shot, but also it is used as a way to space the floor and get the big man away from the rim for Hettinger to operate. Poux will have to continue to alter shots at the rim and with his size is a difference maker.
Isaac Ondekane – Mullen
Ondekane is one of the biggest guys in the state and he has skill to go with that size. He is raw and will have to work on the small things but he knows when to take over games and is a mismatch almost every time out. He is a walking double-double as he is up to 13.3 points and 12.3 points a game and will be the go to if Mullen wants to make a deep run. With him dominating inside and the outside shooting touch from the Mullen guards the Mustangs will have the advantage more often than not. Big games from him is the difference for Mustangs.
Jalen Page – Fairview
Page is a player who has great size and with it comes a fierce drop step over the right shoulder hook. He has an old school feel to his game and is comfortable at the rim which leads to open baskets. He also is a player who is not afraid to use his body which leads to easy opportunities at the free throw line. He is a player that runs the passing lanes well and can get going from down low. He plays well within the system and kicks it to the open man when he is covered down low and has great body control as you can see with his 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. Fairview is a team that plays well together, is unified on defense and with Page manning the middle will cause problems for whoever they go up against.
Lucas Moerman – Doherty
Moerman has put in his name for one of the top big men not only in the junior class but in the entire state. He came into the season as a raw big man with a long wing span, great rebounding and dominant force down low and has blossomed into one of the state’s best threats on both ends of the floor. He has been by far the best player on the team and is coming into his own on the offensive end of the floor as if you throw it up there he is going to go get it and finish it on a dunk or above the rim. He has control around the rim with strong finishes, is growing into his tall lanky frame. He is at 12.8 points a game but where he really makes his mark is on the defensive end of the floor. He is at 11.5 rebounds a game which is amongst the top in the state and also has a whopping 3.4 blocks a game which is also amongst the state leaders. He impacts the game in ways beyond scoring and will have to go up against a tough Cherry Creek unit. This has been a year that ha gets on the map and with a big game here will only see his stock grow.
Bryce Matthews – Chaparral
A lot can be said about Matthews as basketball is not even the sport that has his heart and he will play at the next level but he gets it and it comes natural to him. He has a great motor and is able to change outcomes of games with his ability to always fight for rebounds, provide energy in the game with his athletic finishes and that has translated to wins for the Wolverines. He is the second leading scorer on the team at 12.7 points a game and is the second leading rebounder at 6.2 rebounds a game. He is relentless on the boards and leaves it all out there which any coach in any sport will appreciate.