5A Second Round Preview: Chauncey Billups Region
The first round of the Colorado Class 5A state tournament is in the books and the second round is on tap for Saturday. A total of 16 games will be played, and each of the four teams that received first-round…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the Colorado Class 5A state tournament is in the books and the second round is on tap for Saturday. A total of 16 games will be played, and each of the four teams that received first-round byes in each of the four regions will finally enter the fray.
With teams set to play for spots in the Sweet 16, let’s take a look at each second-round matchup in the Chauncey Billups Region:
No. 1 Chaparral (19-4) vs. No. 32 Fossil Ridge (14-10), Saturday, TBA
The Fossil Ridge boys emerged from a close game against Pine Creek on Wednesday night to get a shot at the No. 1 overall seed. Junior Mike Cover, who has spent most of the season on junior varsity, came off the bench to lead the SaberCats with 13 points and senior Hayden Kawcak scored 12. Looking to rebound from a loss to Legend in its season opener, Chaparral is eager to get into the mix after a week off. Kobe Sander (17.1 ppg), Bryce Matthews (12.0) and Tanner Giles (10.7) will be players to watch, as will 6-foot-5 center Dalton Waldron.
No. 16 Castle View (14-9) vs. No. 17 Mullen (15-9), Saturday, TBA
In the first round, Mullen beat Chatfield for the first time this season. Six-foot-8 power forward Isaac Ondekane missed the game with an illness but junior Isaac White picked up the slack by scoring 17 points to lead the Mustangs to victory. Matt Veen also scored 16 points, doing so in impressive fashion with three dunks. Senior Christian Davis, the owner of a 55-point outburst against Chatifeld in the teams’ first meeting this season, scored 14 points. The high-scoring Mustangs will look to stay hot – and hopefully get Ondekane back – against 6-foot-5 star Chase Hettinger (22.1 ppg) and the SaberCats.
No. 8 Fairview (18-5) vs. No. 40 Broomfield (12-12), Saturday, TBA
Courtesy of 28 points from senior point guard Steven Croell, the Broomfield Eagles pulled off a first-round upset of No. 25 Palmer but they know what they’re up against in this local Front Range League rivalry rematch. In the teams’ first meeting of the season, the FRL champion Fairview Knights won 71-58 in “The Dungeon.” Knights senior sharpshooter Mark Dolan (17.2 ppg) scored 25 points in that game and will look for another big night to lead an athletic and talented group that includes steady junior forward Jalen Page (14.0 ppg) and emerging sophomore Greysen Carter (10.6).
No. 9 Columbine (17-6) vs. No. 24 Cherry Creek (12-12), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Cherry Creek’s sophomore duo of Julian Hammond III and Myles Purchase was on point in Round 1, combining for 35 points and going 7 for 11 from 3-point range. Hammond III also had nine rebounds and five assists. The Columbine boys have won 11 of their last 12 games and 6-foot-7 shooting guard and CU commit Luke O’Brien (21.3 ppg) is looking great after scoring a season-high 32 points against Chatfield in the Rebels’ regular-season finale.