Previewing the 5A Playoffs games ahead of Thursdays games

Here, we preview the 5A playoff games ahead of Thursday’s games. This is Part I. Doherty v. Regis Key players to watch: Doherty: Schafer Reichart Schafer Reichart 6'3" | CG Doherty | 2021 State CO , Brody Gish Brody Gish 6'1" | CG Doherty | 2021 State CO , A.J Guiao, Drew Reichart Drew Reichart 6'4" | PF Doherty | 2022 State CO The Spartans are a full-effort team that checks off every box. They have solid guards in Guia and Reichart who take care of the ball, get the team in their sets, and provide ballhandling relief while Gish and Drew Reichart Drew Reichart 6'4" | PF Doherty | 2022 State CO man the middle. Schafer may be leading them in scoring, but this is a balanced attack where guys understand what is needed of them and don’t venture out. This will be a fun game. Regis: Blakeley Stoughton Blakeley Stoughton 6'3" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2021 State CO , Michael Wolf Michael Wolf 6'0" | PG Regis Jesuit | 2021 State CO , Alonzo Paul Alonzo Paul 5'8" | PG Regis Jesuit | 2021 State CO , Ty Bergman Ty Bergman 6'7" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2021 State CO , TaRea Fulcher TaRea Fulcher 5'9" | CG Regis Jesuit | 2023 State CO The Raiders run a free-flowing offense where the ball rotates until there is either an open shot or a mismatch, and then the team deals from there. Stoughton has been on a tear and is playing really well right now. He is smooth as a finisher, finishes from different angles, and remains shot-ready. Wolf is quietly one of the top shooters in the state from a distance, and even if his shot is not falling, he figures out a way to affect the game. He is a strong guard that takes advantage of smaller defenders, cannot be left open, and can score in bunches. Paul is the lead guard and point of attack. He facilitates and makes it happen for others, and with Bergman and Fulcher into the mix and being X-factors, this team is a tough one to prepare for. What it boils down to: Shotmaking from deep. Both of these teams like to get out and run, they both have capable scorers, and their big men are mobile glass cleaners. Whoever can make shots early and often is going to win the game. Rock Canyon v. Fossil Ridge Key players to watch: Rock Canyon: Nick Fallin Nick Fallin 6'3" | CG Rock Canyon | 2021 State CO , Gavin Hershberger Gavin Hershberger 5'10" | PG Rock Canyon | 2023 CO Rock Canyon is without their best player in Deangelo Horn Deangelo Horn 6'5" | PF Rock Canyon | 2021 State CO due to an agreement made before the season, but that did not stop the Jaguars from dominating Overland’s tough team in the last round. It isn’t easy to study for a team that plays the right play and does not have to rely on one guy, and it was Fallin that stood out in the last game. Fallin is a sharpshooter that catches fire and does not look back. He was hot in the first game and the best player on the court for a night. Hershberger also played well and will have to be the inside force in their Sweet 16 game. Fossil Ridge: Brock Mishak Brock Mishak 6'3" | CG Fossil Ridge | 2022 State CO , Tyce Baldwin Tyce Baldwin 6'4" | CG Fossil Ridge | 2021 State CO For the Sabercats all season long, it has been about Mishak and Baldwin’s chemistry, and now not only are they aligned but playing their best basketball. Having two capable scorers on the wing that can hurt a team both inside and out gives them the ability to adjust on the fly. Both players can put the ball on the floor and space with their outside shot and give them a puncher’s chance each time out because they are willing scorers. I expect them both to finish in double figures and lead the way yet again. What it boils down to: If Rock Canyon guards can affect the game early, expect this one to be over. But if Rock Canyon controls the pace and stops one of their leading scorers, then they will pull off the win. It’ll be tight. Smoky Hill v. Cherry Creek Key players to watch: Smoky Hill: Brayden Maldonado Brayden Maldonado 5'10" | PG Smoky Hill | 2022 State CO , Anthony Harris Jr., Jordan Whitaker Jordan Whitaker 6'2" | SF Smoky Hill | 2021 State CO Smoky Hill is entertaining and always prepared; it is about executing. They know everything that needs to be done, but it is on them to capitalize. Maldonado is a talented risk taker that steps up to the moment. He does not shy away from the moment and can score in various ways. He gives the Buffaloes hope as he is capable of winning a game alone. Anthony Harris Jr. is a human highlight reel and plays the best that we have ever seen from him. He is attacking the rim, being assertive, and not just fitting in and back to his shot-blocking ways. He is the most valuable player in the game, and Jordan Whitaker Jordan Whitaker 6'2" | SF Smoky Hill | 2021 State CO is a certified bucket that they will need to make their outside shot and takes on the challenge to come up with stops. This is a team that they have already lost two this season, so it is a bounce-back spot to get right. Cherry Creek: Julian Hammond Julian Hammond 6'1" | SG Cherry Creek | 2021 State #209 Nation CO , Myles Purchase Myles Purchase 5'11" | PG Cherry Creek | 2021 State CO , Christian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'1" | SG Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO , Chase Penry Chase Penry 6'2" | SF Cherry Creek | 2021 CO Creek is the top team in the state, and it is for a reason. They are undefeated and in the revenge spot as they remember an upsetting end to last season where they felt as if they should’ve made a deeper run. With their core all being seniors led by Julian Hammond Julian Hammond 6'1" | SG Cherry Creek | 2021 State #209 Nation CO , who has had an incredible high school career, the multi-sport and division I athletes in Myles Purchase Myles Purchase 5'11" | PG Cherry Creek | 2021 State CO and Chase Penry Chase Penry 6'2" | SF Cherry Creek | 2021 CO are dogs and aggressive defensively newcomer Christian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'1" | SG Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO ; this is a team that can win it all. I expect them to come out and try and prove a point. What it boils down to: If Smoky Hill can make the proper adjustments. They have already fallen twice to this exact team and will look to shake some things up. Creek can not get complacent with a team like this, or it is all over. Unfortunately, Centennial teams have to go at it again, but you play who is in front of you. It’ll be a fun one to watch. Douglas County v. ThunderRidge   Key players to watch: Douglas County: Jaeton Hackley Jaeton Hackley 6'0" | PG Douglas County | 2022 State CO , Keegan Phillips Keegan Phillips 6'7" | SF Douglas County | 2021 State CO , Ty Nettles Ty Nettles 5'10" | SG Douglas County | 2022 CO The Huskies have relied on Hackley all season long, and he proved that he will show up no matter the circumstances. He is the teams leading scorer, assist man, and defender, and he will have to be even better if they man on beating one of the top teams in the state with size. Lucky for him, this is a game where Phillips is made for. He has the size and physicality to match them, and he has proved that when he is on, there are not many players in the state that can stop him. Douglas County wants him to be on. Nettles has settled into his role as the third guy up, and he will step up, but the Huskies will also need another player to step up. Maybe that is where Cooper McBride Cooper McBride 6'6" | PF Douglas County | 2021 State CO steps in and hits some shots. The Huskies need a near-flawless performance. Thunderridge: Nolan Marold Nolan Marold 6'7" | C Thunderridge | 2021 State CO , Joey Bilello Joey Bilello 6'7" | SF ThunderRidge | 2022 State CO , Garret Arnold, Zach Keller Zach Keller 6'9" | PF ThunderRidge | 2022 State CO Honestly, it is too many players to name for the Grizzlies, and that depth is what separates them from any team in the state. They will ALWAYS have the advantage with the bigs as they have the big men to lead them through the finish line. Marold has been excellent with the ball in his hands as a bruiser with soft touch. He will finish around or through a defender; Bilello is coming off of a career-best game and does EVERYTHING to help his team win; they hope to have Arnold back as he gives the team their identity, and Keller is one of the most talented players in the region when he is locked in. Mix in Jason Simental Jason Simental 6'1" | CG ThunderRidge | 2021 State CO and Brennan Jackson, and this is arguably the most loaded team in the state. They just have to put it together, and they will be challenged early on. What it boils down to: If Douglas County can get off to a hot start and blitz the Grizzlies early, then they stand a chance. If it is close heading into the half, well, I feel like T-Ridge will make the right adjustments to have a big second half. I expect T-Ridge to be tested but for senior leadership to come through and the depth to overwhelm the Huskies. Size matters.