Prep Hoops Colorado’s 2021 2nd Team All-State
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The high school basketball season came to an end, and we’re close to turning the chapter on the 2021 season. It was a condensed season, but a successful season nonetheless. It is now time for PrepHoopsColorado to unveil our All-State…
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Continue ReadingThe high school basketball season came to an end, and we’re close to turning the chapter on the 2021 season. It was a condensed season, but a successful season nonetheless. It is now time for PrepHoopsColorado to unveil our All-State Teams. Here are your Class of 2021 All-State Teams!
Myles Purchase Myles Purchase 5'11" | PG Cherry Creek | 2021 State CO – Cherry Creek
Purchase is a Division I athlete and was one of the most dangerous players in the state for the past couple of seasons. Purchase can control a game and dominate in multiple ways, and his next-level athleticism separates him from the bunch. Purchase was one of the most versatile and creative guards in his junior season and only elevated his game as a senior. Purchase improved as a scorer and facilitator on a loaded team and helped lead the Bruins to an undefeated record in the regular season. Purchase takes chances that other guards in the class wouldn’t dare attempt, which speaks to his confidence and trust in his own abilities. A talented bunch surrounds him, and while his teammate won the Player of the Year, their senior captain and point guard was the team’s heartbeat. Purchase averaged 14.9 points, 5.1 assists, and an eye-popping 4.2 steals a game. His days of playing serious basketball games are done as the standout football player will be on the gridiron at Iowa State University for the next few seasons. Still, he was a class act and one of my favorite watches over the year. Another solid season for him, and he headlines the 2nd team.
Greyson Carter Greyson Carter 6'4" | SF Fairview | 2021 State CO – Fairview
Carter is a player whose production went a bit overlooked, but when going over the numbers, there were not many players in the state who could duplicate his success. Carter is a 1,000 scored member in his career, and the 6’4 wing/forward put his team in a position to win nightly. Carter plays within the flow of the offense and does not force many shots but is assertive enough to score when his team needed it. Fairview went into the season as one of the top teams in the state with high expectations on the year, and the reason for that was Carter. Carter delivered as Fairview were the 5A Front Range champs again with a 12-4 overall record, and he was named the conference POY. Carter nearly put up a double-double for the year with 21.9 points and 9.2 rebounds a game as he shot lights out from deep, had his way inside, using his size and physicality to get to where he wants and also showcases a high IQ and ability to take over when the moment calls for it. Carter is a Division I athlete that will play baseball at Vanderbilt at the next level, but if he decided to play basketball, there would’ve been options for him. Solid year for him.
Ben Hageman Ben Hageman 6'3" | PF Windsor | 2021 State CO – Windsor
Hageman was the swiss-army-knife and senior of the year, in my opinion, for 4A this past season. He sacrificed his own production to better the team, but his ability to play positions 1-5 created advantages and mismatches for opposing teams and put Hageman in the position to take over when needed. Hageman led his Windsor team to a 14-2 record and the No.1 seed heading into the 4A state playoffs. He finished everything around the rim, challenged opposing big men at the basket, and protected the paint despite being 6’2. His versatility and strength kept offenses from doing whatever they wanted in the paint. He did the small things like boxing out and showcasing his physicality to eliminate any idea that it would come easy against the Wizards. Hageman scored with ease around the rim as he has outstanding finishing abilities inside, grabbed rebounds in bunches, and started the break to score or get teammates involved. Hageman averaged 18.4 points and 7.0 rebounds a game in his senior year and is a player that is still available for a guard that can certainly help a program at the next level. Noble performance for Hageman, and he makes the All-State 2nd team.
Brayden Carter Brayden Carter 6'8" | PF Seiling Ok | 2021 State CO – Mullen
It looks a bit different for Carter as he did not have the same kinds of regular-season success as the other players on the list, but when it mattered, he delivered. When you take a deeper look at the kind of load that Carter has taken on the past two seasons and see Mullen’s growth in only a few year’s notice, Carter’s production and ability to move the needle puts him in elite company. The 6’7 forward did everything in his power to lead his team to victory, and while the Mustangs did not see as many wins as they wanted in the regular season, they did go on a run in the playoffs, including an upset win over Denver East. Carter dominated in games while seeing and feeling the double team coming, spin, and finished off of that or got rid of it to re-establish position. Carter uses his length, size, and athleticism and is a talented big with a back-to-the-basket game that finishes above the rim. He has a silky smooth mid-range jumper that keeps defenders honest and is assertive. The Regis University commit put up 19.5 and 8.3 rebounds a game and helped lead Mullen to postseason wins. What he did should not go unnoticed, and he makes the PHC All-State 2nd Team.
Eddie Kurjak Eddie Kurjak 6'8" | PF Longmont | 2021 State CO – Longmont
Kurjak is a player that possibly surprised me most as he is not a player that specializes in one area in particular. He came into the season as a rim-running, athletic big man that can score on clean-up baskets to being a go-to option and two-way standout in his senior season. Yes, the highlight finishes above the rim and blocks that made opponents think twice about coming into the paint as he is the most athletic big in the state, but the way we saw his game progress was something to watch. Kurjak led Longmont to a 13-4 record and a high seed in the playoffs. On a team that was centered around two players, the 6’8 standout big man put up an imposing 18.3 points and 8.6 rebounds a game with just under two blocks to go along with it. Longmont rotated the ball until they got their open shot and knew to get the ball to their best player. When the shot went up, Kurjak tracked the ball down, grabbed the board, and when right up to it and also showcased himself as an aerial attack that his teammates could just throw it up to, and he would get it. Kurjak is a competitive big man that continues to add to his game, and it was all on display in his senior season. He has committed to play at Colorado Mesa, and they got a steal with one of the state’s best bigs.
Jarmell Johnson Jarmell Johnson 6'3" | SG George Washington | 2021 State CO – George Washington
The George Washington Patriots were the state runner-ups after an inspiring season for the Senior-led bunch. They played hard on both ends of the floor, scored in both halfcourt and fastbreak sets, and also had a remarkable run in the playoffs as they played spoiler to some talented teams. While the Patriots had multiple guys standout this season, the player that separated themselves was 6’5 combo-guard Jarmell. Johnson got off to a hot start to the season scoring 26, 30, 27 & 27 points to put the state on notice that the Patriots are a team to take seriously this year. He did not find the same kind of success scoring the ball for the rest of the year but saw his game take off in other ways as he became more of a playmaker and defender that kept the team dangerous and in positions to win. Johnson is dangerous in the open court, knocked down the 3-ball at a 44% clip, and put up his best season rebounding the ball. Johnson is an explosive guard that plays well off the ball and is also capable of creating for his own. He put up 17.7 points and 5.2 rebounds a game in his senior season while leading his team to the state championship with a 13-4 record and is one of the best-unsigned seniors still remaining that should get some attention his way.