5A State Playoffs: X-Factors in the Chauncey Billups Region
The first round of the 5A state tournament is underway on Wednesday evening with 32 teams, all with the same goal in mind: to win. The is a top-heavy tournament with some upset-minded squads near the bottom that genuinely feel…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the 5A state tournament is underway on Wednesday evening with 32 teams, all with the same goal in mind: to win. The is a top-heavy tournament with some upset-minded squads near the bottom that genuinely feel as if they have what it takes to bring home the gold trophy. All teams have their star players and prospects that we know will HAVE to step up if they want to advance, but what it will come down to is an effort from the entire team. This is also the time that an X-factor steps up and gives their team an advantage, so here we break down an X-factor or two from each team in the first round.
Next up, the Chauncey Billups Region.
Teams with a bye: No.1 Rangeview, No. 16 Mountain Vista, No. 8 Boulder, No. 9 Columbine
Arvada West v. Highlands Ranch
Arvada West had a so-so season but what you’re getting is a dangerous team that can turn it on and is capable of going on a run. They are led by Senior combo-guard Josh Yago who is averaging 15.5 points and 5.1 rebounds a game and also sets others up for easy baskets (4.5 apg) as well. Yago is who the offense will run through but the X-factor will be the second-leading scorer, Taylor Kline. Kline is a reliable two-way player that opens up the floor with his outside shooting. He can score off of the dribble or comes off of screens ready to shoot and if he gets a good look at it, it’s dropping. He also gets to the rim and finishes and is a scrappy player that can change the outcome of the game on both ends of the floor.
Highlands Ranch has the size that gives them an advantage. With 6’9 Senior forward Ryker Cisarik averaging 18.3 ppg and 8.5 rebounds alongside 6’6 sharpshooter Tristan Hurdle averaging 13.6 points and 4.5 rebounds a game, there is no way that they could have any more talented long guys over there –right? – Wrong. They have a 6’1 guard Sullivan deGuzman that can back smaller defenders down and also score down low. He also helps on boards and is a high IQ guard that gets his guys involved. It will be on him to take care of the ball and also control the pace by putting his teammate in positions to score. Without solid guard play, it will be difficult for Highlands Ranch to operate but they have deGuzman that makes things happen.
Fruita Monument v. Chatfield
Fruita Monument had a strong season and is looking to carry that momentum into the postseason when they face-off against Chatfield. Senior guard Marcus Labonde is averaging 20.3 points, 5.9 assists, and 6.0 rebounds a game and will be the focal point for Chatfield to try and slow down. He will be amped and ready to prove that he is one of the better players in the region. While we know that he will do everything in his power to secure the victory, he will need some assistance. That is where Senior forward Dillon Keithley comes into play. Keithley provides balance. He is averaging 8.4 points a game but is capable of going off for more. When he scores in double figures, however, Fruita Monument wins so it is important to get him into a rhythm early. With all of the attention going towards Labonde and others having a secret weapon that necessarily is spoken about much in the scouting report goes a long way.
Chatfield made it to the playoffs but the slimmest margin but now that they are here, why not have some fun? The Chargers have everything to gain and not much to lose so they are playing with fire. Their X-factors are their best players, junior guards Dylan Carter (12.0 ppg) and Nate Jacobson (11.4 ppg) who will be attempting to bring a huge upset in round I. They will have to play hard but they will have to play smart as Fruita Monument plays together. Getting off to a hot start can go a long way for Chatfield and with those two players heading the way, there should be confidence that they have a chance.
ThunderRidge v. Lakewood
T-Ridge v. Lakewood will be one of the exciting games in the opening round. If there is one thing that is for certain it is that a Ortiz-led Grizzlies team is going to be ready and know how to win in the playoffs. They have solid players on the team such as junior big man standout Nolan Marold but there is always a player that emerges at this time of year that helps them pull off a victory. My bet, Zach Keller. Keller is a 6’7 sophomore that is just now getting into the mix but we will quickly learn that he is a name that you need to know. He is a skilled big man that can bang down low that is not afraid to use his size and moves well. He is an efficient big that has good footwork and soft hands and shows off his IQ with screen and rolls or understanding where to be on the floor. He is the player to watch for me.
Aaaatt llaaasstt!! Lakewood made the playoffs. Now it is time to lock in as they have a very difficult game to open up with a team that has been here. Senior guard Michael Bennett is averaging 17.9 points and 5.5 rebounds a game and is the player to know for Lakewood but the Tigers have another player that is going to turn some heads this summer, as well as next season and that, is junior guard Addison Reddinger. Reddinger is a player that plays so hard that a lot of what he does goes beyond the scoreboard. He is a quick guard that is able to score and is dangerous in the open court, hustles back on defense and is able to defend multiple positions. Reddinger is a stronger guard that will be tasked with defending one of the talented ThunderRidge guards and will surely be up for the challenge. If he is able to get going offensively then Lakewood surely has a chance. He is the X-factor in the game that can determine the result.
Doherty v. Dakota Ridge
For Dakota Ridge is begins and ends with Taeshaud Jackson. The junior point-forward is a stud and is the player that Doherty will try their best to slow down and will do everything in their power to limit his looks. With the sure double-teams that are coming his way, there has to be a second-option that offers some relief. That relief will be Brayden Rhoades. Rhoades is averaging 12.6 points a game and also helps out on the boards as well. He will get plenty of open looks with how Jackson will be defended so he has to be ready to let it fly. Seeing as he is shooting 41% from beyond the arc this year it appears that he is ready to step up.
Doherty is one of the teams that I have backed in this region because I love the way that they are set up. Lucas Moerman is the best perimeter defender in the state that is averaging 5.1 blocks a game and that is nothing that you can teach. Also, with Schaefer Reichart playing with extreme confidence and scoring the basketball at will, that opens things up for other people to take over. The player that I think is underrated but makes this team tick is junior guard AJ Guiao. Guiao is averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 assists a game. He controls the pace for the team, can hit the outside shot and also takes care of the basketball and on a team that does not play too fast and goes at their own tempo, it is great to have a mature guard that fits the system. Look for Doherty to grind out games and for them to win a couple of games on just finding their own rhythm, not forcing much and having a high IQ guard that understands how to win close games.