Colorado Year in Review: Front Range League
Now that we are several weeks removed from the winter basketball season, let’s put a bow on it by looking back at how things shook out in each of Colorado’s conferences. Here’s a snapshot of the past season’s action in…
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Continue ReadingNow that we are several weeks removed from the winter basketball season, let’s put a bow on it by looking back at how things shook out in each of Colorado’s conferences. Here’s a snapshot of the past season’s action in the Front Range League.
How it all shook out
The Fairview Knights have been young but talented for the past several seasons but this winter, they put it all together and won the FRL title with a more mature roster. Cross-town rival Boulder gave the Knights a run for their money, rebounding from a 1-9 start to finish 13-12 overall and take second place in the conference. Fairview, Boulder, Fossil Ridge, Greeley West, Horizon, Rocky Mountain, Broomfield, Poudre all reached the postseason for the league to land an impressive eight of its 13 teams in the Class 5A state tournament.
Who made it the farthest
No surprise here, as it was league champion Fairview that made it all the way to the Sweet 16. The Knights were a balanced group made up of several talented full-time basketball players and a number of college-bound football recruits that played exceptional defense and ran the floor with fury. Senior Mark Dolan (16.9 ppg) led the Knights with an impressive array of offensive tools and shot 43 percent (60 for 138) from 3-point range. Junior Jalen Page (14.2 ppg) has been a steadily improving player and continued on his upward trajectory this winter while adding more of an above-the-rim element to his game.
Several standouts
Jack Fisher, Sr., PG, Poudre: The 6-foot-4 senior point guard led the league in scoring with 21.9 points per game, shot the ball well from long range and was a balanced, steadying force for the Impalas.
Damian Forrest, Sr., F, Poudre: Boy was this kid tough all season long, and at an imposing 6-8, 210 pounds, he was the league’s most dominant player in the paint. He averaged a double-double with 19.6 points and 10.7 rebounds over 25 games.
Jack Olson, Sr., W, Legacy: At 6-foot-8, the Lightning wing was among the most physically gifted player in the FRL and averaged 19.0 points and 7.8 rebounds for Legacy.
Avery Rembao, Sr., G, Loveland: Probably the most versatile player in the entire conference, the springy 6-foot-6 guard averaged 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Indians.
Andre Sepeda, Sr., PG, Greeley West: He hit a 3-pointer to win the first ever FRL All Star Game in sudden-death overtime at the end of a season in which he led the Spartans to the second round of the state tournament.
An underclassman to watch
Tyce Baldwin, So., W, 6-4, Fossil Ridge: Voted honorable mention on the CHSAANow.com all-state team, he will form a formidable core with fellow rising juniors Luke Yoder (12.3 ppg), Owen Cornmesser, Braiden Dishman and Micaiah Smith for the next two years.
A quick, way-to-early look to 2019-20
The Fairview-Boulder rivalry should remain strong with returns of Page and junior Tyler Turner, who returned from injury midseason to lead the Panthers’ incredible second-half run and paced the team with 12.6 points a night. Broomfield Grant Swenson will be one to watch throughout his senior campaign, as will Mountain Range’s Logan Dexter and Raymond Johnson. Also keep an eye on 6-foot-9 Monarch forward John Grigsby, who could dominate the paint as a senior.