Five 5A teams to keep an eye on this season
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As the 2021-22 season is fast approaching there are a few teams to keep an eye on who have the ability to make a deep run in the 5A state playoffs this year. Thunder Ridge: As the Colorado defending 5A…
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Continue ReadingAs the 2021-22 season is fast approaching there are a few teams to keep an eye on who have the ability to make a deep run in the 5A state playoffs this year.
Thunder Ridge: As the Colorado defending 5A state champions they will find it tough to repeat. They lost their top two leading scorers off of last year’s championship team, but they do return Joey Bilello Joey Bilello 6'8" | SF Thunderridge | 2022 State CO , who was their third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder last year. In addition, they bring back Jackson Brennan Jackson Brennan 6'3" | CG ThunderRidge | 2022 State CO , who was the team’s fourth-leading scorer and rebounder. They also are returning some younger players who saw a lot of game action last year and are poised to step up and make an impact this year. The reigning Colorado coach of the year, Joe Ortiz, is also returning at the helm, so don’t overlook them as they get ready to defend their title.
Joey Bilello Joey Bilello 6'8" | SF Thunderridge | 2022 State CO is set to return for his senior year and repeat as Colorado state champions.
Eaglecrest: Made the Elite 8 last year and have lost Ty Robinson Ty Robinson 6'5" | SF Eaglecrest | 2021 State CO , their leading scorer, from that team, but they do return two key pieces from last years team. Mostapha Elmoutaouakkil, the second-leading scorer and rebounder, returns and is looking to cap his senior year off with a state title and a D1 scholarship. Along side Mostapha will be teammate Jayden Washington Jayden Washington 6'5" | PF Eaglecrest | 2022 State CO . Jayden was last year’s third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder for the Raptors. Along side these two superstars are a number of players who played significant minutes last year. Watch out for Eaglecrest as they are poised to make a deep run this year.
Mostapha is poised to have a big year and lead his team on a deep playoff run.
Chaparral: Is another Elite 8 team from last year. Although they have lost a number of seniors off that team they do return their top two leading scorers. Joel Speckman Joel Speckman 6'8" | PF Chaparral | 2022 State CO , who lead the team in scoring and rebounds, returns for his senior season looking to finish what he couldn’t last year. Along side Joel is teammate Luke Williams Luke Williams 5'11" Chaparral | 2022 CO , who was the teams second-leading scorer and fourth-leading rebounder. With this dynamic duo set to return the Wolverines are a team to watch out for.
Joel Speckamn looks to return for his senior season and lead his team to a state title.
Ralston Valley: While they did lose in the opening round of last years playoffs to Eaglecrest they return a number of players from that team. Zack Akin, was the teams leading scorer from last year and is set to have an outstanding senior campaign. Zach Friedman, last years leading rebounder returns as well as Beau Wilken Beau Wilken 6'1" | CG Ralston Valley | 2022 State CO and Jackson Hansen. With a number of players who were major contributors from last years team the Mustangs are definitely poised to have a breakout year.
Horizon: The Hawks are my sleeper team. While they also lost in the opening round of the playoffs last year to a very good Smoky Hill team, they return a number of players who have played a significant amount of quality minutes. Esmond Griffin Esmond Griffin 5'8" | CG Horizon | 2022 State CO , the teams second-leading scorer, returns. Coby Jimenez Coby Jimenez 6'2" | CG Horizon | 2022 State CO , the teams third-leading scorer returns. Tabor Robison Tabor Robison 5'10" | CG Horizon | 2022 State CO , the teams fourth-leading scorer returns. In addition Kyle Northrup, Ambrose Montano and Blake Kramer Blake Kramer 6'4" Horizon | 2022 CO are players who made significant contributions last year and return this year looking to make a deep playoff run.
Esmond Griffin Esmond Griffin 5'8" | CG Horizon | 2022 State CO is poised to help his team make a deep playoff run.