Five Burning Questions in the Final Four of the 5A Playoffs
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With the 5A Final Four set for Friday evening between four of the top-5 teams heading into the CHSAA 5A playoffs there is plenty to look forward to. With a wide open field and four talented teams I have five…
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Continue ReadingWith the 5A Final Four set for Friday evening between four of the top-5 teams heading into the CHSAA 5A playoffs there is plenty to look forward to. With a wide open field and four talented teams I have five burning questions set for Chaparral, Mountain Vista, Rangeview and Thunder Ridge.
Who is the most dangerous team remaining?
This is a very strong field as it pertains four of the top 5 teams heading into the tourney.
Chaparral came in as the No.1 team and is very balanced in their effort. They have a chip on their shoulder and it shows as they get it done in a variety of ways with some important pieces. They can push the pace and outscore you (Kobe Sanders), go inside and beat you with size (Bryce Matthews, Dalton Waldron) get on the perimeter and shoot it (Joseph Dalton, Tanner Giles) and also have a defensive stopper (Tizell Lewis) that they can put on the opposing teams best guard to go and get things done.
Mountain Vista came in at No.2 and had a remarkable season. They only lost two times this year and proved that they are a team that you have to take seriously. They are not a team that beats you with athleticism neither do they just shoot lights out but what they do is they bring it at all times and are relentless on the defensive end. They are a swarming bunch that gets after it. They defend at a high level, rebounds well and play for one another and that is why they have been so successful this season.
Range view is the No. 3 team in the state and are still after it after an impressive season. They are coming off of a solid win against the defending champions and are looking to add to their resume with a trip to the championship. They have the most athletic team still remaining and what is great about this team is they are full of unknowns. You never know who is going to take over as they have Jewett, Jodaun Dotson, Christopher and Christian Speller, Cade Palmer and an X-factor in Isaiah Hayes that can take over the game at any given moment. As long as they are defending at a high level with aggressive ball pressure from their guards they give themselves a chance.
Last but not least is Thunder Ridge who is the No. 5 seed. Thunder Ridge has had an up and down season but have what it takes to win it all. They are battle tested, experienced, know their roles, well coached and has great size. They are led by one of the top guards in the state this year in Austin Holt and when it has mattered most has gotten much needed contributions from Bailey Verk who is their heart and soul. The thing that makes the Grizzlies so good is they have so many pieces that buy in collectively that are not afraid of the moment. Garret Arnold and Nolan Marold are underclassmen who play well above their age, Justin Smith is coming into his own and Holt, Verk and Kevin Sax are writing the end on their high school chapter and I am sure it ends with a gold trophy. This team is loaded.
All four teams bring unique characteristics that are hard to key in on but I am going with Thunder Ridge.
What is the most exciting matchup?
The game that I am most excited about is the game between Thunder Ridge and Chaparral. How could you look at that matchup and not be excited for No. 3 at the Coliseum at that? Both teams have changed in various ways and it is just something about the Coliseum for the Thunder Ridge group. The Grizzlies are built for these type of games. They have the blueprint on how to win and are a strong system where every player understands how big of a moment it is. They are locked in and have senior leadership that these other teams do not have but they are up against a Chaparral team that is playing for a purpose. They have an answer back for every scenario and situation, have a star player in Sanders, play solid defense, have the ability to go inside and out and know the pain of falling short. They feel like they have the most to lose and that is a scary sight.
Most likely upset?
At this point it is difficult to call any of these games an upset as this is four of the best remaining teams in the state in a field that is wide open, but the team that would surprise me most at making it to the championship and one that I am ready to see is Range view.
Three of the four teams remaining come from the Continental league so for this Range view team to come out of the East Metro league and go to the playoffs and win some tough games is telling. Mountain Vista will have their hands full with a team that matches up just as well as them and can push the pace and score even a little better than they can. Range view will surely have to hit outside shots if they plan on winning the game and I am sure that the Raiders defenders will be baited into a few fouls, but if they are able to knock down a few shots will be able to give themselves a chance to win.
The other teams are also familiar with one another and have all seen each other play multiple times so having a team that is on the outside come in and compete at a high level like Range view is doing is something to take a deeper look at.
Who is the top player remaining?
There are some pretty big names that are still remaining.
For Range view Quincey Jewett is who we have as a most improved player in the state candidate as he has really separated himself for the year. He has gone from a relatively unknown player t now being in our Top-15 players in the senior class as he gets it done in multiple ways. He can rebound and defend with the best of them and is an improving offensive scorer that has upped his game when it has mattered most.
For Mountain Vista as much as it is a lead by committee approach the player that has really stood out this season and was pivotal in their last game was Ben Grusing. Grusing is able to score from all three levels and is not afraid to take the big shot. He moves well without the ball, can put the ball on the floor and create separation, can get to the rim and score and sets his teammates up well. The Golden Eagles will need him to be at his very best against Range view and get others involved. Only as a unit will Mountain Vista advance.
For Thunder ridge it is truly about being a balanced team that all buys-in. They look to have laser point focus in the playoffs and that has led to complete games for them. Thunder Ridge has the luxury of being one of the best big men group in the state and that size bodes well for them especially at the Coliseum but the player that has all of a sudden jumped into the conversation as a top guard overall is Austin Holt. Holt has been phenomenal and has the size to be able to dominate. He has adjusted his game from being a big man in AAU and took on the leadership role and guard spot and has excelled enough to have found his niche at the next level. He is a player that will thrive at the next level with great strength and size and also has the ability to change the outcome of games without having to score too much.
Kobe Sanders is ranked the highest and is having a sensational season leading the top overall team in the state all the way to the Final Four and with a big game from him I expect Chaparral to continue winning. He gets the top player remaining as he makes the biggest impact on the top team and he is only a junior. He is a natural born leader that gets the best out of his supporting cast, has the ability to score when he wants, runs the show and can knock down any shot. It is difficult to stay in front of him and he is a player that only knows how to win. He will be asked to do a ton in this game and as long as he can continue bing aggressive he will have the biggest contribution for his team yet again.
Who will win it all?
This is such a difficult question as all four teams has a chance to advance but the one that everyone is wondering about. For each team there is a strong enough reason to warrant them as the top overall team and who I believe will win it. Heading into the season I said that this was Chaparral’s year to win it all and look – they are the top overall team heading into the Final Four against a team that they have already beat two other times but still somehow, I feel worried.
Range view is the most athletic team still remaining but have issues on the perimeter on the offensive end and Mountain Vista has strong play from all over but is not a team that I see scoring a ton of points against the teams remaining.
I will take the easy way out and say whoever wins the game between Chaparral and Thunder Ridge is going to win it as both teams are dangerous on both ends of the court, are coached well and very disciplined and has players that embrace the moment and are not afraid to take the big shot.
Expect chaos.