Opening night All-Stars from across the state
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After a long-awaited delay, the season has finally got here. The jitters and preparation collided as we got underway with the 2021 season. There were standouts all across the state. Here are six players that got it done with their…
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Continue ReadingAfter a long-awaited delay, the season has finally got here. The jitters and preparation collided as we got underway with the 2021 season. There were standouts all across the state. Here are six players that got it done with their scoring.
Dominic Marrujo Dominic Marrujo 5'9" | PG Prairie View | 2022 State CO – Prairie View
Marrujo finished with a game-high 16 points to begin the season in his quest to prove that he belongs. While it was not as efficient as he would have liked, he got off to a hot start offensively and showed that he is willing to be aggressive this season. Marrujo is the guy that we expected to have the ball in his hands, and he proved that this is what it will be this season. Marrujo recorded three 3-pointers and had five rebounds to go along with it. He also picked up a 42-34 win to begin on the right foot. He will be a guard to watch this year that should have the numbers to prove some things.
Isaiah Poindexter Isaiah Poindexter 6'1" | CG Montbello | 2022 State CO – Far Northeast Warriors
While his solid game came in defeat, Poindexter was a bright spot for the Warriors. The 6’0 guard got where he wanted to be and knocked down shots. I am a bit shocked that the offense did not run through him a bit more as he was ultra-efficient when he got the ball. Poindexter finished with 14 points and was 5-7 from the field. He went 2-3 from beyond the arc and made things happen at the rim. He also dished out five assists. The Warriors will need others to step up if they plan on turning the ship in the right direction.
Suris Cannon — Mountain Range
Cannon was not the leading scorer in the game, but he was certainly the MVP of the game. The 6’5 forward had his way with the smaller Thornton team and created additional scoring opportunities for himself. Mountain Range had four players finish in double digits, and with the second chance opportunities that Cannon created, it is easy to see why they were able to win the game. Cannon had 12 points as he found holes in the defense. Cannon also knocked down both 3-pointers that he shot and was a beast on the boards as he put up a career-high 12 boards. If they are getting that kind of effort from their big men, with their guards doing everything in between, they can be a team that might turn a few heads.
Zach Rakowsky – Loveland
The senior captain point guard was the standout on the day as he started the season out with a bang. Rakowsky could not be denied, and with a rhythm and the ultimate green light, big games will follow him this year. Rakowsky was the leading scorer on the day as he exploded for 28-points. He was uber-efficient with 11-17 from the field; he splashed 3-pointer after 3-pointer and got to the line. Loveland got out and running and made it difficult for Greeley West to get into any type of zone. Rakowsky put it out there that we need to be taking a deeper look at him – duly noted.
Brody Gish Brody Gish 5'11" | CG Doherty | 2021 State CO – Doherty
One player that has started to get onto school’s radars this summer and will certainly be contacted by more if he continues on a tear is Doherty combo-guard Brody Gish Brody Gish 5'11" | CG Doherty | 2021 State CO . Gish is a 5’11 point guard that is disruptive on defense and seems to always know where to be on the floor. Gish has a great feel for the game, has a high IQ, and is a two-way option that the Spartans will rely on this year. Gish finished with a game-high 18 points as Doherty had a blowout victory to begin the season. Gish also recorded 11 rebounds and was everywhere on the floor. Having a lead guard to take the initiative to help in other areas will go a long way for Doherty, and hopefully, he sustains this kind of production.
Ritchie Pruitt – Golden
I turned into the stream ready to watch the Acevedo show, and Pruitt was the player that stood out and caught my eye. Pruitt is a playmaking guard that forced the opposing team to try and find him on every possession. He was hunting for shots and went 3-3 from beyond the arc, which forced Arvada West to close out on him, and all he would do is carve them up inside. Pruitt finished with a game-high 23-points, but the best part about it was he let the game come to him for the most part. He had a heat-check moment, but it did not matter because he had his way with the Wildcats defense. Pruitt is a junior that this Golden team will have to rely on to be another scoring option. Having another guard that is capable of scoring in multiple ways, finding holes in the defense, and finishing with ease will keep them in the running as one of the favorites. I liked what I saw from Pruitt.