5A First round breakout performances
The first round of the playoffs was underway on Wednesday and with that came some big-time performances. Here are a few of the top standouts on the night. Tyler Turner — Boulder Boulder had a seven-point win against George Washington…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the playoffs was underway on Wednesday and with that came some big-time performances. Here are a few of the top standouts on the night.
Tyler Turner — Boulder
Boulder had a seven-point win against George Washington in the first round of the CHSAA Boys basketball state tournament. It was a close battle that seen the Panthers come through behind junior Tyler Turner. Turner averages 13.2 points on the season and upped his game when it mattered most. He scored 17 points and also had three assists and four rebounds to go along with it. He has been stepping up his scoring to close out the season and Boulder will need him to continue his ways.
Steve Croell – Broomfield
One of the biggest performances from the second-round game from a senior that we spotlighted prior to the game and that is Croell. Croell was excellent in the Eagles 61-57 win over Palmer. He poured in 28 points and was a major contribution in the win. He did a bit of everything. He knocked down a shot from beyond the arc but was very aggressive in the game which led to him getting to the free throw line where he finished with seven free throws. With the way that he has been playing this season, especially as of late it is nice to see him show up in the biggest game of the season. They will need him to be a big-time scorer again in the next round.
Andre Sepeda – Greeley West
The “Stat King” of the first round of the playoffs goes to no other than Sepeda who put up the biggest point total on Wednesday night in 5A. The way that he got it done is even more impressive. In Greeley West’s 68-64 win over Cherokee Trail it was their captain that carried the way and ensured a victory. He finished with 40 points on the night with more than half of those coming from the free throw line where he attempted 28 on the night. He was masterful on getting to the foul line and making it so that a defender could not slow him down from getting to his spots. He also showed off his shooting stroke finishing with four 3-pointers on the night. When things looked to have slowed down for the Spartans in the second quarter it was him that calmed the storm and against a talented Fruita Monument team coming up he will have to carry the load yet again. Can he be slowed down is the question.
Keyshawn Maltbia – Fountain-Fort Carson
Junior standout Maltbia continued his dominant ways in a 95-52 slaughtering of Prairie View on Wednesday. The Trojans had five players finish in double-digits but it was Maltbia that led the way with 27 points on the night. 18 of those points came from beyond the arc where he shot 60 percent on the night and had it going from deep. When he is shooting like that he becomes an even tougher player to guard as he is physically gifted as it is with a jump shot to go with it. If Maltbia and Fountain-Fort Carson is going to be coming out and playing like this on both ends of the floor – beware.
Caulin Swain – Denver East
With Kwane Marble shelved for what looks like the rest of the season the Denver East Angels are missing their leading scorer and a huge part of their offense, but that’s when other opportunities arise. Caulin stepped up in his absence and did a bit of what he has been doing all season long – taking over. He finished with a career high 29 points and was the go to scorer for the Angels in their 42-point win over Gateway. He was elusive with the ball and when his shot was not falling he got to the rim and finished with ease. He is a big-time player that just so happens to be on a talented team and finally blossomed in the role as the guy. He is quick, skilled and excels with the ball in his hands. He has sneaky athleticism and does a bit of everything and a part of the game that went overlooked was his work in the rebounding department. He finished with 11 rebounds as well and showed that East just might be fine, for now.
Myles Purchase – Cherry Creek
Purchase stepped up as the top scorer for the Bruins as he ended up with 19 points. The sophomore guard’s shot was not falling so he made it a point to penetrate the defense and finish at the rim. Purchase is a guard that really gets things going with his quickness and ball handling and once he gets into the middle of the defense he can either drop it off or finish at the rim. He was the assist leader on the night and is an aggressive guard that also showcased his great defense. He is ultra-athletic and played hard-nosed perimeter defense to tip it into the backcourt for fast break opportunities. The Bruins will need him to stay aggressive, especially on the defensive end and with the help from other guards Cherry Creek is a tough team to matchup with.