5A Jeffco League Preview

With the high school season just around the corner, it’s time for us to take a look at some of the conferences across the state. Next up is the 5A Jeffco league which is one of the conferences that has a few teams that truly have a chance at winning it and will have a few teams as well competing in the playoffs. Each night will be a battle and there will be plenty of players stepping up to make a name for themselves. Here is how I feel it will shake out this season. Conference Commentary Favorite: Columbine When you have a top-5 player in the state in the league and the leading scorer from last season at 21.6 points per game that will be playing at the University of Colorado next season who is a 6’8 phenom it is easy to know who the favorite is. Columbine not only has Luke O'Brien to lead the way but have Trevaughn Williams and also an underrated player in Justin Lohrenz ready to step their game up. Williams is a high flying act that also can knock down shots as well. He plays above the rim and can alter the game in transition as well. Lohrenz averaged eight points a game and understands where to be on the floor. He is a glue-guy with upside. This is a team that can run the table if they find a rhythm early in the season and ride it throughout the season. Dark-horse standouts:  Ralston Valley Ralston Valley was one of the best teams last year and they will be one of the top teams standing this year. This is a team that will come into the year underrated but when taking a look at their returning players this is a team that will again be a team to take seriously. They have it all: solid guard play, great defenders and also the chemistry needed to get by. Caden Gigstad (13.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) will be one of the better players in the league and brings the best out of his teammates. He is a complete player that can score, rebound and get others involved and the offense will run through him this year. Alongside him is Caleb Rillos who is a force. He put up 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds a game and also is an athletic two-way player that plays the passing lanes well. Walker Brickle and Luke Carlson are two dynamic glue guys that are true X-factors for this team. They do not get all of the credit and glory but they are two players that find open spots, can defend multiple positions and make the right plays on the court. Expect this team to not only compete but maybe even win the conference as it is a disciplined and well-coached bunch that all buy-in. Team to watch: Valor Christian One team that will be fun to watch but also will have a true shot at winning the league as well is Valor Christian. Valor is a team that has it all from top to bottom. Shooters, big men, and capable wings. Cole Bott (12.3 ppg) will be asked to run the show this year but has very capable shooters and scorers around him that will make a jump from last year. Two players that have a ton to prove for class rankings that I feel will truly standout out are  Amondo Miller and AJ Kula. Both of those young players can put the ball on the floor, get out in the open court and score and also demand a ton of attention with the ball in their hands. Then there is still leading scorer and rebounder Roger Rosengarten (15.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg) that will be playing Division I football next year. He is probably the biggest player in the entire state and he is a multi-sport standout that if he chooses to play for Valor Christian this year will make them that much more dangerous. This is truly the deepest team in the conference from top to bottom and they are going to give teams fits with not only their speed but also have the size as well. I am very high on Valor this year. Conference Predictions 1) Columbine  2) Valor Christian  3) Ralston Valley  4) Pomona  5) Dakota Ridge  6) Bear Creek  7) Arvada West  8) Lakewood  9) Chatfield