5A Second Round Standouts
Second round playoffs were underway and for some teams it was their first game of the playoffs. In it there were some big time performers but here is our list of players that had the biggest impact. Julian Hammond –…
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Continue ReadingSecond round playoffs were underway and for some teams it was their first game of the playoffs. In it there were some big time performers but here is our list of players that had the biggest impact.
Julian Hammond – Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is not the young team that they used to be at the beginning of the season as they have endured the gauntlet each night that is the Centennial league and Columbine found out the hard way as Creek beat them 77-65. Their big score on the night came from Hammond III who finished with 27 points on the night. He was 10-14 from the field and he also showed his deadly range as he went 3-4 from the field as well. When Hammond gets going there is not a shot that he does not like and when he gets going he is very tough to stop. He can shoot it from anywhere on the court and is comfortable taking over and this Bruin team is going to be scary for the next couple of years with a talented young group with Hammond looking this comfortable.
Luke O Brien – Columbine
Know it was on the losing end and a second-round exit but for what is the top overall player in the state it was a way to end his junior season and get the University of Colorado commit ready for the off season. He went out with a bang and showed that Columbine is here to stay. He had 29 points to carry the load and attempt to advance. He had everything going and showed that even against one of the state’s best defenders in Myles Purchase he can still get his own. He knocked down two shots from beyond the arc but showed that he is able to go inside and dominate using his great size. O’Brien had a phenomenal year and will be the top player in the state next year and likely Mr. Basketball on a team that I am calling now will be a top 3 team.
Quincey Jewett – Range view
Jewett is one of the best revelations on the season as the Senior big man put up one of the best stat lines of the weekend and is continuing on a big year. Range view won their first playoff game in the second round 70-34 over Windsor and it was Jewett’s stats of 18 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and the most eye dropping line of the game was his seven blocks. Jewett almost had a triple double in a blowout win and is proving why he is one of the top big men in the entire state. With him playing like this a trip to the final 4 is not out of the question and from there, the sky is the limit. Get out and see him if you can.
Ty Robinson – Eagle crest
In what was the game of the day it was the sophomore that had another stellar performance that led the way for the Raptors. He finished with 18 points to lead Eagle crest in the next round but it was the way that it was done that is more impressive. Eagle crest won 67-75 and it was Robinson that took over in the game. He is a matchup nightmare as he has great size and strength and he truly understands that not many players in the state can guard him. He can put the ball on the ground and did that with multiple dunks, he can finish around the rim and fills the lanes correctly. He has a good feel down low and he uses his athleticism and talent to get things going for the Raptors as one of the young guys on the team. I am excited to see how he performs in Wednesday’s Sweet-16 matchup against one of the best big men groups in the state.
Graham Ike – Overland
Ike has been the comeback player of the year and the state continues to get a taste of what he is capable of. He was not able to play last year due to injury but now that he is back he is owning it as the top big man in his class. He is skilled, he is physically gifted, he is dominant and he is able to do so many things as a big man that separates him than any other big man in the state with his size, nimbleness and soft touch. Overland won 66-53 and it was behind his 21 points and 17 rebounds. He showed that not many players in the state can stop him down there and when he is in a zone he is tough to beat. Horizon played the Trailblazers tough but had a tough time stopping him down low and when they ran out of ideas started to foul him where he went 11-12 from the free throw line. He has done everything this year and is up against a pretty good Eagle crest team Wednesday evening that he has had success against this season, maybe the third time is the charm?
Caulin Swain – Denver East
All Swain needed was an opportunity and he has made the best of it with Kwane Marble going down. East has won their playoff games convincingly in the playoffs without their leading scorer and captain of the team and it has been Swain who has led the way in both games. He is a very versatile player with sneaky athleticism. He has hit shots from deep, penetrated the defense and got to the free throw line as they struggled slowing him down and used his size and quickness to get himself free. He had 20 points on the night and also opened things up for others as well. He gets inside and disrupts the defense and has taken over as the leader of this bunch and it has been fun to watch. Small schools need to hurry and get a hold of him.