5A/4A Tri-Valley Preview w/ predictions
With the high school season just around the corner, it’s time for us to take a look at some of the top conferences across the state. Next up is the Tri-Valley league which is a tough one to predict after…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school season just around the corner, it’s time for us to take a look at some of the top conferences across the state. Next up is the Tri-Valley league which is a tough one to predict after Mead who finished off last season undefeated in their conference. Other than that there are a few teams that are looking to make the jump and show that they are teams that will be ready to make a name for themselves. Here is a look at the Tri-Valley league complete with a prediction of how things will possibly shake out.
Conference Commentary
Favorite: Mead
James Shiers will be the player to watch from the conference. He is 6’10 and one of the taller and most talented bigs in the state. He runs the floor, finishes under the basket and has soft touch around the rim. He is getting some Division I looks and he will man the middle and cause plenty of attention to what should be a really good Mead squad that has some very solid pieces around their sophomore big man. Will Maher (12.3 ppg, 3.3 apg) and Trey Ward (8 points, 3 assists and rebounds)are two players that come to mind that can make a big jump this season in the scoring department and while Elijah Knudsen did not play a ton last season he will be my pick for newcomer of the year in this conference as he steps into a bigger role as he is in the conversation as one of the top shooters in the entire state. Mead is a team that should go in as one of the favorites and has a chance to take it home.
Should Compete: Frederick, Erie, Skyline, Windsor
Dark-horse standouts:
A team that I was big on this past summer was Frederick. Frederick has some players over there that have gone under the radar far too long. They have a triple-headed monster in Joe Cartelli (15.3 ppg), Jake Green (14.2 ppg) and Davis Richard (11.5 ppg) that averaged double figures their junior season. Now as Seniors they are hoping that their contributions account for more wins and this is the year that it happens as they have some underclass standouts ready to make the jump. Two players that will emerge are Izayah Elize and Ilan Marinoff who this past summer showed that they are ready. They are both difference makers that can score in a variety of ways and will make a big push to put a very underrated Frederick team in the conversation. Big year for this group.
Team to watch:
Erie is a team that I think makes a jump as well as they have very good guard play and only had one Senior graduate from last year’s team. They will now get another year of chemistry and also have players that showed that they are progressing over the summer so I feel like the sky is the limit with this group. The conference will balance out this season and leave areas for players such as Kevin Loy (16.4 ppg) and Jordan Nguyen (9.3 ppg) and both Cole and Tristan Rademacher to make jumps as well. This is a team that will push the pace and win the guard battle and also competes night in and out. They will have to push themselves defensively but with the offensive firepower that they have should be a team that shows that they belong in the conversation.
Conference Predictions
1) Mead
2) Frederick
3) Skyline
4) Windsor
5) Fort Morgan
6) Erie
7) Holy Family
8) Roosevelt
9) Berthoud