5A State Recap: Top Shooting guards
The 5A state tournament saw a host of players make a name for themselves on the biggest stage. Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several combo guards who raised the bar when their teams needed them most. Julian Hammond…
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Continue ReadingThe 5A state tournament saw a host of players make a name for themselves on the biggest stage. Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several combo guards who raised the bar when their teams needed them most.
Julian Hammond III – Cherry Creek
One of the most shocking players that jumped onto the high school scene and brought it was Hammond who ended up being one of the top scorers in the entire state in only his Sophomore season. He averaged 20 points a game and it was with his jump shot that he was able to get going. In the playoffs, without his shots falling at the same rate, much of the same. Creek was able to get a convincing win in the playoffs over Columbine and Fairview and it was behind the stellar play of their standout sophomore. Hammond ended the year on a tear and in those two games he put up 27 points on a highly efficient night and 25 points. In the Bruins five point loss to state runner-up Chaparral he was also able to get 21 points and that was with his shot not falling on the daunting Coliseum floor. He is a go to scorer that can get going and once he is in a rhythm he is difficult to stop. Unsure how he will outdo himself next season, but I am sure he will.
Tanner Giles – Chaparral
There was not a player that stepped up to the plate more for his team than Giles. Giles headed into the tourney as the third leading scorer on the team but led the Wolverines throughout the playoffs with timely baskets. He had 13 points against Cherry Creek and also was pivotal in Chaparral’s improbable comeback win against Thunderridge where he went off for 22 points including five steals in the Final Four. In the championship game he was able to put 11 points and also record five rebounds and he is a Senior that will surely help a team at the next level as he is just scratching the surface and this year showed just that.
Ben Grusing – Mountain Vista
Grusing was one of the most unknown players heading into the tournament as far as on a statewide knowledge and that is shocking because this season he was one of the shining stars on one of the best teams in the state that made it all the way to the Final Four. He averaged 15.9 points and 4.0 rebounds a game and showed exactly why the Golden Eagles were such a great team in their playoff run. After a disappointing nine point performance against Fruita Monument he went back to the player that he was all season long as he put up 20 points against a very talented Smoky Hill team and beat them and then had 16 against the eventual state champions in the elimination game while also putting up five rebounds in both of the final games. He was a consistent scorer, stepped up to the plate and also helped on the boards. He seen the floor well, showed off his range and also go to the rim and finished while showing he would not back down from any player in the state. Solid year for a great player.
Aaron Bokol — Eaglecrest
After averaging 18 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game it was Bokol who led the way for the Raptors and gave them ample opportunities to advance. His team fell against Overland before making to the Coliseum but his play was definitely not the case as he went out with a solid 28 points. In the game before that against Legend he put up 16 points and nine rebounds and showed exactly why we have him as a top three guard in the Senior class. I am personally shocked that he is not signed already but when he does that school will be getting a steal.
Steve Croell – Broomfield
Croell was also another surprise performance that had a blowup game in the second round against Palmer. He was able to get going with a big 28-point performance and showcased how versatile he is. He was able to shoot the ball, attacked the paint and either finished at the rim or made sure that he got fouled. He followed that up with a 21-point performance in the loss against Fairview where he showcased his range yet again. He knocked down three 3-pointers although Fairview’s offense was centered around him he still got going to conclude out top shooting guards in the second round.