Gatorade Player of the Year Candidates
As the high school season quickly approaches, here is a preview into early potential candidates who will look to compete for the prestigious Gatorade Player of the Year award. This award is one of the highest individual achievements a high…
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Continue ReadingAs the high school season quickly approaches, here is a preview into early potential candidates who will look to compete for the prestigious Gatorade Player of the Year award. This award is one of the highest individual achievements a high school athlete can receive. The last three winners of the award in Colorado are; Kenny Foster (Wyoming), Sam Masten (University of Northern Colorado), and Colbey Ross (Pepperdine).
Luke O’Brien – Columbine – Sr.
In his junior season last year, Luke averaged: 21.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.1 APG. With a 6’7 frame, O’Brien is able to get it done at all three levels on the offensive side of the ball. With his size, he is able to finish in the lane as well as create open shots for himself with a nice pull-up jumper, shooting fifty-seven percent from two last season. O’Brien gets it done on both ends of the court as well, with his length he his able to guard a number of different positions throughout the game. During is junior year, he lead the team in both steals and blocks at 1.7 SPG and 1.5 BPG. The University of Colorado commit is in for a big senior season before heading up to Boulder.
Kobe Sanders – Chaparral – Sr.
After losing in the state championship game last year to Rangeview, Sanders heads into his senior year looking to get Chaparral back into the finals. Kobe averaged: 16.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.1 APG during his standout junior year. Sanders is a true floor general and does everything in his power to put the team in a position to win the game. Kobe is a threat beyond the arc as well, shooting almost two-hundred threes on the season last year, he will look to increase his average of thirty-one percent behind the arc. With the ability to get to the rim and finish as well as draw the foul, Kobe does a nice job of rewarding himself, shooting eighty-one percent from the foul-line on over one-hundred-forty attempts last season.
Javonte Johnson – Cheyenne Mountain – Sr.
As announced a couple of days ago, The University of New Mexico commit will look to improve upon his outstanding junior year were he averaged; 22.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.8 APG. Javonte is a player who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the court and Cheyenne Mountain will need him to do that yet again this year after losing a couple of contributing seniors from last season. Johnson is a player I will keep my eye on once the season starts, he is in for a monster senior season, in a league in which he dominated last year.
Dominique Clifford – Vanguard School – Sr.
Joining O’Brien, Clifford has committed to play at The University of Colorado following his senior season with The Vanguard School. Last year, Dominique had a stat line of: 18.9 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.2 SPG and 1.9 BPG clearing demonstrating he is able to do a little bit of everything on the court. Similar to Johnson, it will be exciting to see what Clifford is able to do in his senior season, as Vanguard will be 3A favorites. Clifford comes into the season with sights of a championship after losing to Manual in the 3A final last season.
Graham Ike – Overland – Sr.
The big man had a breakout junior year with Overland, Graham averaged: 17.6 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.1 APG. Ike is the definition of someone who is willing to put in the extra work and that showed by his play during his junior year. Graham is starting to get several division I looks which is deserving. Ike is very effective in the post, shooting sixty-six percent from two last season. Overland will rely heavy on the big man as they try to get back to the state playoffs this year.