Five guards to watch in the 5A/4A Southwestern League
There has been changes to the world as we know it, and the Colorado high school basketball scene has taken its fair share of changes as well. Typically at this time of the year, we will have already started with…
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Continue ReadingThere has been changes to the world as we know it, and the Colorado high school basketball scene has taken its fair share of changes as well. Typically at this time of the year, we will have already started with some tournaments to get things kicked off, but there has to be a compromise on both ends. Not only will the season start late, but it will be a condensed season, so it is critical that teams and players get off to hot starts. Here we will focus on the 5A/4A Southwestern League.
Anthony Flint – Durango
Flint was the best shooter in the conference, and it wasn’t close. He was the team’s second-leading scorer at 10.9 points a game, and out of 96 3-pointers taken on the season, he made half of them. Flint was sensational in his sophomore season as the game seemed to slow down and get easier for him and will look to light up the scoreboard in his junior season with the bulk of his team returning. Durango is the sleeper team for me in the conference, and he is a big reason why.
Trey Reese Trey Reese 6'2" | SF Montrose | 2022 State CO – Montrose
Reese was one of the most balanced and versatile players in the entire conference and was a big reason as to why Montrose went 20-5 on the year. Reese has good size at 6’2 as he can play and defend multiple positions, but he was also the team’s glue guy in only his sophomore season. Reese put up just under nine points a game and was also a glass cleaner that gave his team easy scoring opportunities. Reese grabbed 6.4 boards a game. Slashes and found holes in the defense and was a playmaker that was one of the best passers in the conference at 4.6 assists a game. In his junior season, he will be more comfortable and relied on in a bigger capacity and will surely be a player to know by season’s end.
Cole Savage – Fruita Monument
Cool name, big game. Savage is a straight to the point type of player that gets after it. He gets to the rim and scores in bunches and had multiple times where he dominated in games like his 25 point performance against Falcon or when he went for 18 against Adams City. Savage averaged 7.7 points a game, helped out on the boards, and dished it at times. He is a microwave scorer that can change the game’s outcome in a hurry and will be a guard to watch this upcoming season.
Jayden Mayes – Grand Junction Central
Grand Junction Central struggled mightily this upcoming season but feel like they have the pieces to turn things around. One of those pieces is shooting guard Jayden Mayes, who had a junior season where he put up 7.5 points a game, which was good for second on the team, and had a small spurt where he was played his best ball, which was capped off by a 29-point performance against Eagle Valley. If Mayes can find some consistency once he hits that groove, he will be a player that stands out as his team will surely need him to carry the way.
Jordan Jennings – Montrose
Montrose had a strong core with players that bought in. One of their X-factor players was Jennings, who did everything he could to be a spark for the team and even had moments where he shined. Jennings averaged 6.7 points a game and had a few games where he scored in double digits. Jennings is the team’s sharpshooter that knocks down the open 3-ball. He shot 38% from deep despite taking plenty of shots, works on both ends of the floor, and also is a live wire that opposing teams are never prepared for. Every team needs a glue guy, and he fills many holes that the team needs.