Five Takeaways: Grandview versus Range view
The first game of the day in the “Great 8” of the CHSAA 5A playoffs was underway and it was a close one that came down to the wire. In the end it was the Rangeview Raiders that advanced to…
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Continue ReadingThe first game of the day in the “Great 8” of the CHSAA 5A playoffs was underway and it was a close one that came down to the wire. In the end it was the Rangeview Raiders that advanced to the Final Four but not without five interesting things in the game. Here they are.
Playing without McGill – rebounds
Grandview’s big man and arguably best player on the team was out due to an injury that occurred against Boulder. But as always, it is the next man up approach and there are no excuses in the game of basketball. While it was difficult, the Wolves were still able to get a much-needed win against Rocky Canyon as a team effort but struggled to get going or win the rebounding battle against Range view. Range view played a swarming defense that seen multiple players box out and help rebound, which kept Dayne Prim off of the boards. Range view went into the half with a 18-12 lead in the rebounding battle and seen that stretch in the second half as Grandview could not get much to fall. Range view took advantage of that and ran with it for easy baskets.
On offense is where his presence was really felt as it forced Kenneth Norman and CJ Thomas to play major minutes and they did not score the basketball.
Player of the game – Jewett
Who we pegged as player of the game was Quincey Jewett as his play was pivotal to Range view getting by. All season long he has been a consistent force for the Raiders and at the coliseum while he did not have his usual scoring outburst he did plenty.
Grandview did not have McGill so they did not have their usual size and Jewett made sure to make his presence felt inside.
He was a stat stuffing machine as he finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in the game and that was just enough to get the Raiders the win.
Next game he will be the most important player on the floor as he will have the most size and be used early and often. How he affects inside shots will determine how the game goes and I am sure that he will be up for the task.
Range view production
Range view got plenty from multiple players. Quincey Jewett finished with a 10-point, 11 rebound double-double but there were plays made by others that ended up being the difference.
Range view is an unselfish team that makes the extra pass and they needed that to advance as it led to transition points. Christian and Christopher Speller both made their mark on the game in different ways. For Christian it was his work at the free throw line and also the way that he set up others. He penetrated and made the defense rotate and that led to easy baskets at the rim for others as he finished with four assists in the game. Christian had eight points but it was his six rebounds and two assists that stand out for me because of the timing. He made big plays at big times.
The X-factor of the game and player that I know that the Raiders are excited to have back is Isaiah Hayes. He injected tons of energy in the game and had the stretch of the game that ensured the win. He played the passing lanes well and that led to him finishing with three steals and he scored off of all of those. He had an and-1 finish in that stretch and it was easily the biggest impact on the game as a whole.
Dayne Prim
What a way to go out for Senior Dayne Prim. He had a spectacular career that seen a state championship and tourney MVP and even in this game he did not go out without a fight.
He had 21 points in the game and also had nine rebounds to go along with it. There was not much other scoring that happened as he and Lian Ramiro were the only ones that got into double digits but he made sure that the Raiders knew he was there.
It is going to be interesting to not see his casual pump fake, get the defender on his body swoop through right handed hook next year that either gets the foul or finish,
Prim was not only one of the state’s best big men but competitors as you knew that he would bring it every single night. He is a two-sport standout athlete that left it all out on the gridiron each night and if there was a way to go out, that was it.
Although they fell short, what a career it has been for @griffeyprim at @GHSWolvesHoops
Hold your head high. pic.twitter.com/YenSkK20Lj
— Prep Hoops Colorado (@PrepHoopsCO) March 2, 2019
Whatever school gets him next year is going to be ecstatic and getting a gem.
Moving forward
Range view will be up against a very talented Mountain Vista team that just got a 77-72 win over Smoky Hill.
They are having a remarkable season as they have only lost two games on the entire season and have won nine of their past 10 games.
It is a team that matches up well with any team in the state as they have the size to go inside, can adjust on the fly at playing to the level of their competition and with their pace and has a strong seven or eight players they can go to.
Range view will have to be the more aggressive team and come out and execute offensively from the opening tip. Range view will have the athleticism and upper-hand in penetrating and getting to the rim. Whichever team wins the rebounding battle will go home with the win.