Denver Prep 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/4A Denver Prep League which will be one of the most…
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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 conferences across the state. Next up is the 5A/4A Denver Prep League which will be one of the most interesting leagues in the state this season. It is a loaded conference where three teams truly have a chance to win it this season but I feel but there are also teams that are ready to step up and put their name in as they attempt to make the playoffs as well. Let’s take a look at the Denver Prep League.
Favorite: Denver East
The preseason No.9 team in the state, the East Angels is a team that will surely have to be taken seriously this season as it is a complete team with one of the best two-way, true -point guards in the state in RaShawn Wilson who will head into a big junior season. He put up 10 points, 4.9 assists and a league-best four steals a game as well. He will have a talented young group around him as No.1 player in the 2022 class, Langston Reynolds ready to show why he is the top sophomore in the state. Around them is talented combo-guards Boston Staton and Patrick Steed who can score from anywhere on the court and will give teams fits with their versatility and also glue-guys in sharpshooter Tom Connelly and also Brad Kerr who will be asked to come in and stir things up. This is a deep team with high upside and one thing you know you will get from a Rudy Carey team is plenty of wins and them to be playing their best ball at the end of league play. Expect big things from this Angels team.
Dark-horse standouts: George Washington
Not even sure you can call them a dark-horse as they very well have a case to be the DPL champs this season and next when it is all said and done. They had a down season last year but return some big-time names that are capable of taking the state by storm. Kendale Johnson averaged 18.8 points and 4.8 rebounds as a sophomore and will be looking to up those numbers in a big junior season. Alongside him, he has a group that plays with a chip on their shoulder as they will be one of the youngest teams in the state yet again. The team is comprised of mostly juniors and have standouts Jarmell Johnson and Eddie McPhee ready to also step up. McPhee had a great start to the summer and Jarmell finished off as two of the most improved players of the offseason. They are both two-way players that are dangerous in the open court and with a true-point guard in junior Darrian Hammond their guard play with be amongst the top in the state. Their X-factor will be their senior guard Kingbed Agyemang as he can enter the game and turn it around in an instant. This Patriots team has what it takes to match up with any team in the state. While they lack size they make up for it in talent and defensive effort. I am thrilled to see how they turn the tide and get back to wins, wins, wins.
Team to watch: Lincoln
Of course, you have to take a look at Lincoln. They are a top-5 team in 4A as they have a top-5 backcourt duo in the state in Ty Foster and TJ Bamba. While they will surely miss Kwaheem Brown this season this will be a team that will still get out and competes with every single team that they are up against. Foster is one of the state’s best perimeter defenders and has started to showcase his athleticism as well. He gets to the rim as easy as any guard in the state and is now dunking with ease. He will be a tough player to guard this season and alongside him is Washington State signee, TJ Bamba. Bamba is al electric offensive player that is versatile as he gets to the rim and finishes, knocks down shots and also is difficult to guard in the open court. He locks down on defense and is able to defend multiple positions as well. The Lancers will have to find others to step up around them if they want a crack at winning the DPL title but what you know you are going to get from Lincoln is a well-coached team that does not back down and is going to defend at a high level for the duration of the game.
Conference Predictions
1) Denver East
2) George Washington
3) Lincoln
4) Northfield
5) Thomas Jefferson
6) Denver South
7) Northeast Warriors
8) Kennedy
9) Denver North
10) Denver West