Dev’s Hypothetical All Star Teams: 3A Tri-Peaks League
We took a break but we are back with a couple of more leagues to preview before the upcoming season. We have wanted to see what area of the state has had the best talent and by doing that we…
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Continue ReadingWe took a break but we are back with a couple of more leagues to preview before the upcoming season. We have wanted to see what area of the state has had the best talent and by doing that we have taken a look at some of the best conferences.
We have designed our “All-Area All-Star Teams” and have taken a look at a couple of leagues already and while we have focused on the 5A a ton, let’s show the smaller classifications some love as they have a few players of note to keep up with. Here, we change it up a bit and give the First Team with two players off of the bench that I feel will surprise during the year. Let’s check out the 3A Tri-Peaks League.
First Team:
PG: Sam Howery – St. Mary – So.
Howery was one of the best freshmen in the state last season as he lit teams up night in and night out and kept St. Mary as one of the entertaining squads and I expect more of that this season. He is a guard that controls the pace and gets others involved but when it comes down to it—he is a bucket. He shoots lights out, he attacks in the open court and excels in half-court situations and that was all as a freshman. Now with a bit more comfort and experience under his belt, I am expecting another big season where he steps up even more. Expect a few 30-point nights and St. Mary to run up the score on teams behind their standout sophomore. I feel comfortable with him at the first guard I pick up.
SG: Caleb Stockton – Colorado Springs Christian – Jr.
Last season on an explosive high scoring offense one of the underclass standouts that was able to have his way on a nightly basis was point guard Caleb Stockton. Stockton was a nightmare for other teams as he was able to keep the offense going at a fast pace with other big-time scorers around him as well. He shot the ball relatively well adding a new layer to his game, penetrated the defense and stayed aggressive. He is also a player that takes pride in stepping up in other categories such as rebounding and setting his teammates up. This will be a year that they will have to call on him to do even more. He is coming off of a year where he put up 14.4 points and also averaged four rebounds and assists a game as well, that will have to go up more if they plan on remaining a favorite. He makes my All-Star team easily.
SF: Joseph Padilla – Vanguard School –Sr.
13.6 points and over three rebounds and assists a year. He is a complete player that will step up into a prominent role this year. He was a very consistent scorer last season and with a bigger role this year, I am expecting him to have some big numbers while Vanguard blazes through 3A yet again.
SF/PF: Luke Yates – Buena Vista – Sr.
One of the bright spots on this Buena Vista team was Yates who scored the basketball with ease last season. He is heading into his senior season as a combo-guard that opens up the floor and attacks. He put up 16.5 points and also dropped down to help on the boards where he put up a surprising 6.3 rebounds a game as well. Buena Vista will be attempting to turn things around this season and with him leading the team they have a chance to right the ship.
C: Dominique Clifford – Vanguard School –Sr.
Clifford is not a center at all but he is definitely the best rebounder in the league. A scorer, and defender for that matter while we are at it. Clifford is THE talk of the town and EVERYONE’S pick for the 3A player of the year. The recent Colorado Buffaloes commit is a walking double-double and does everything on the court. He scores, rebounds, dunks, defends and gets other involved and after putting up 18 points and 11.3 rebounds a game last season he took his game to the next level during the season –watch out 3A. I will be surprised if he does not have a few 40-point games this season as Vanguard school will be in cruise control for the year as a favorite. There is some unfinished business for the state runners-up and I expect Clifford to go in and take what is his. Big senior year coming for a top-3 player in the state in my opinion. Championship and Mr. Basketball is not out of the realm of possibilities for him.
Bench
Guard: Rayshawn Dearmon – St. Mary’s – Sr.
Dearmon is an athletic guard that uses his speed and strength to his advantage. He can score off the dribble and get to the basket. He is a microwave scorer that can get it going in bunches and when he is on, he is on. This year it will have to be in a more controlled way.
Guard: Jacob Searle – Ellicott
In no way whatsoever is Searle a big man, but this league is not flowered with bigs as the other conferences. Ellicott had a terrible season last year and wants to get on the right foot and they will have to behind what should be their best player next season in Searle. He is coming off of a year where he put up eight points and five rebounds a game should have the confidence to do even more. He is very athletic and a player that can score.