Five wings to watch in the 5A/4A Northern League
There have 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, we will have already started with some tournaments at this time of…
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Continue ReadingThere have 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, we will have already started with some tournaments at this time of the year 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 teams and players must get off to hot starts. Here we will focus on the new leagues across the state. One conference that had a shake-up this offseason and will be a new-look is the 5A/4A Northern League. It will be an interesting league and, hopefully, more competitive.
Kayan Hargrave – Erie
Hargrave is another player for Erie that has gotten overlooked but has put together a solid career so far and should get much more recognition. In only Hargrave’s sophomore season, he was one of the conference’s top players and was very consistent throughout the season. Hargrave put up 10.4 points a game, which was good for second on the team, and showed off his versatility by grabbing 3.4 boards a game. Hargrave crashes boards, gives himself second chance opportunities, uses his size to get inside, and creates baskets for others. Hargrave dished out 2.6 assists a game while being very effective with the ball in his hands. He makes the right plays, was not shy to shoot the 3-ball to apply pressure on the defense and uses his length on defense. If he puts up another big season, he is a player I think that takes a big leap.
Ben Hageman Ben Hageman 6'3" | PF Windsor | 2021 State CO – Windsor
Hageman was one of the top players in the Tri-Valley league last year and was the team’s MVP and engine. As Hageman goes, Windsor goes, and once he found his rhythm and zone never looked back. Hageman is as strong as an ox and will be the top overall defender in the conference. Hageman forces guards into traps, makes errant passes, plays the passing lanes, and gets downhill. The game seems to slow down for Hageman, almost a bit too much where he controls the game’s pace. Offensively, he is difficult to slow down in 1-on-1 situations because of his great body control. Hageman is one of the best finishers at the rim in the state; he is starting to shoot the 3-ball and is the bunch leader. It will be difficult for him to duplicate a season where he put up 15.8 points, eight rebounds, and three assists a game, but with the growth that we saw in private runs to close out the summer, I think he is up for an even better and more efficient year. Be prepared, Northern League; he will be a lot to handle.
Andrew Scott Andrew Scott 6'4" | SG Silver Creek | 2022 State CO – Silver Creek
As a sophomore, Scott was the team’s second-best player, and he had a year full of consistency. Scott’s big season helped Silver Creek pick up wins, and the 6’4 wing shined. Scott had explosive moments this season, like when he had a career-high 30 points as well as a two-point win in the playoffs where he went off for 20 points. Scott can put the ball on the floor, provide spacing with his outside shot, and has his way inside. Scott has a great feel for the game and knows where to be on the floor to create easy scoring opportunities. Scott put up nine points and 5.6 rebounds a game and took that play into the summer, where he continued to stand out. Scott is a player with high upside, and once it all comes together will be a player to watch.
Blake Hammond – Holy Family
Holy Family is a team that steps into the new conference, ready to turn things around, and now they get a fresh start. In looking back at last season, a player that consistently put up good numbers and was relied on heavily is Blake Hammond. Hammond is a 6’3 wing that can bring the ball up the floor, step out on the wing, and get inside and mix it up. Hammond’s best attribute is rebounding the ball and getting out on the break, and finishing. He runs the baseline, slashes for baskets, and goes right up after securing boards. Hammond put up 8.4 points and 5.8 boards a game as a junior and will want to build on that in an important senior season.