Games of the Weekend: Week 7
This week was full of excitement and had plenty of in-conference games that came down to the wire. There were blowouts, buzzer beaters, and upsets and we got some on our games of the week. Here, we take a look…
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Continue ReadingThis week was full of excitement and had plenty of in-conference games that came down to the wire. There were blowouts, buzzer beaters, and upsets and we got some on our games of the week. Here, we take a look at a pretty packed weekend with what we deem as the games of the weekend. Check it out.
Friday
Northfield versus George Washington
This is as of this year considered a good game, but, Northfield appears to be for real and trying to turn things around over there.
Northfield is the No.4 team in 4A and is ready to show that they are also prepared to compete in a pretty good Denver Prep League this season. It is usually a toss-up between the Patriots and East Angels but Northfield has a legitimate chance this season and it is behind their big man Nahsyah Bolar. Bolar is averaging a double-double of 18.3 points and has 11.7 rebounds to go along with it. He is a two-way player that has his way in the paint and opposing bigs are having a difficult time slowing him down. Marcus Rogers Jr. (11.2 ppg) and Bally Diakite (10.7 ppg) are two players that apply pressure every night and provide offensive relief while also boarding heavy and also defending at a high level and also RaSheik Gaddis and Diego Dominguez are two guards that run the offense and keep the team in order. This Northfield team is deep and is also well-coached so this will be a great test for them.
George Washington on the other end is a team that is starting to figure it out. GW has won six straight games and is looking to make it seven against Northfield in a DPL battle at two teams that sit at 4-0 in conference play. Junior guard Jarmell Johnson is leading the Patriots as he is putting up 11.6 points a game. He is a high flying guard that can also knock down 3-pointers and plays well off of the ball. Kendale Johnson is a player that we have grown to know. He is a bit down this season scoring the ball but is still averaging 11.9 points a game and as a wing, leads the team in assists at 3.4 apg. He can shoot the ball and also has the size and ability to battle inside as well. GW will need both players to step up against Northfield and also Eddie McPhee will have to be an X-factor that has a solid game as well.
The game starts at 5:30 today. Expect a very tight one here.
Chaparral v. Highlands Ranch
It is difficult to know much of anything about this Highlands Ranch team this season, but one thing that you do know that there is going to be a hard-fought battle when they welcome in Chaparral. Ryker Cisarik is the best player for Highlands Ranch this season. He is averaging close to a double-double this season and is using his 6’9 frame to win inside battles down low. He is grabbing and securing rebounds and scoring on second-chance opportunities as well. He is shooting the ball exceptionally well for a player with his size and remains a weapon for the Falcons. Alongside him has been Senior sharpshooter Tristan Hurdle that is shooting the ball as anyone in the state right now. He is averaging 14.2 points a game and spaces the floor as the second option who is able to go for explosive scoring games and true point guard Yafet Masfin is not only scoring the ball from the lead guard spot but keeping everyone satisfied. He is a two-way guard that pushes himself. That Highlands Ranch team is tough, they just have to start closing teams out.
For Chaparral, it begins with Kobe Sanders. Sanders is up to 19.3 points a game and we know that he can score the basketball, the passing is what has stood out for me this season. He is getting other involved and finding the open man as he is putting up a career-high 4.3 assists a game. He is trusting his teammates, like backcourt running mate Jeremiah Coleman (10.4 ppg) and also big man Aaron Jacobs (10.1 ppg) and they are stepping up and offering some scoring relief. Sophomore big man Joel Speckman is helping down low as he protects the paint and snags up boards and they also have Keaton Crockett playing well. Chaparral is a fun team that is finding a flow for themselves and expect them to come out with a point to prove.
Expect a high scoring match that comes down to the team that controls the paint winning the game as 3-pointers will surely fly.
Saturday
Smoky Hill v. Grandview
Of course, it would be the Centennial league. Almost every game over there is a game of the day but how could it not be? This is a rematch from weeks ago when Smoky Hill pulled off the win in double overtime.
The good thing for Grandview is while they lost to the Buffaloes, it was the worst game of the year for their best player. Caleb McGill only finished with 10 points in the game and has seemed to up his game since then. Smoky Hill played him well. McGill is averaging 16.4 points a game and 7.4 rebounds to go along with it. The Wolves will make it a point to get him going early and Lian Ramiro played well last game. He finished with 23 points on the night also managed to dish out six assists as well. He is having a sensational season and will try and carry that into Saturday’s game.
Smoky Hill will want to prove that the last game is what is supposed to have happened and they also did not play up to par. Jalen Weaver and Quinten Rock are the Buffaloes top scorers on the season and both played well that last time they faced off. Rock had a game-high 25 points and Weaver had 24 points but the Buffaloes did not get much help elsewhere. Since then, DeAngelo Horn, Anthony Harris Jr., and Jordan Whitaker have stepped up and started to be more assertive. Horn and Harris run the baseline, grab boards and are getting at least a highlight play a game that provides some scoring assistance. Whitaker is scoring in every way and is coming off of a game where he put up a season-high 20 points. They will need everyone to play well if they plan on getting back on the right track.
Expect another great guard battle and for both teams to try and prove a point.
Columbine v. Pomona
There is the Eaglecrest v. Overland game that will be a fun one but I have to get away from the Centennial League for my own sanity.
Another fun battle will be Luke O’Brien and Columbine versus Trevor Baskin and Pomona. Two of the state’s top players going at it in a head-to-head matchup with two teams that have been up and down to start the season.
Columbine is coming off of a buzzer-beating win against Doherty where Tristan Alward was the hero of the game. He did not score in the game until the final heave and it was the points that they needed to win the game. O’Brien finished with a game-high 16 points but it is below his season average of 25.2 ppg. He did, however, grab 16 rebounds in the game where he is amongst the top in the state and he will have to be aggressive on the boards yet again against a team that rebounds well. Justin Lohrenz will have to provide additional scoring if they want a chance at beating a Pomona team that has a couple of upset wins on the season but shocking losses as well. Baskin is still the leading scorer in 5A at 25.6 points a game and is also boarding heavy(12.3 rpg) as well. Those starts are impressive and it still shocks me that Colorado Mesa got such a steal. Isaiah Tshimanga is back in the lineup and they desperately needed him. He is putting up 17.3 points a game in his return and has been attacking baskets relentlessly since he got back. Both will have to be productive against Columbine and having multiple guys that can go off at once could be the difference in the game.
Expect rebounds, rebounds and more rebounds in this one as these are two teams that rebound well. I don’t think it will be a high scoring game but should come down to the wire.