5A Second-Round Preview: Mark Randall Region
The first round of the 2016-17 Colorado 5A playoffs is in the books. In 16 first-round matchups, the higher seeds prevailed in 14 of them. That sets up some very intriguing matchups in the second round, which takes place on…
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Continue ReadingThe first round of the 2016-17 Colorado 5A playoffs is in the books. In 16 first-round matchups, the higher seeds prevailed in 14 of them. That sets up some very intriguing matchups in the second round, which takes place on Saturday.
Let’s get right into previewing our first region, in order of tipoff times:
5A Mark Randall Region
No. 28 Boulder (15-9) at No. 5 Rock Canyon (20-3), Saturday, 1 p.m.
The Scoop: Boulder guard Luke Wilson is another great example of a senior taking it upon himself to keep his team’s season alive. Wilson scored 30 points on 7-of-8 shooting and 15-of-17 from the free-throw line in a 65-54 first-round win over Mullen on Wednesday. Behind the play of Wilson, Boulder has been hot in winning six straight games. Of course, host Rock Canyon comes blitzing into this game on the heels of its biggest win of the year, a thrilling victory over No. 2 overall seed ThunderRidge that earned the Jags a share of the Continental League crowd. Rock Canyon believes its time is now for a run to a state title.
Matchup To Watch: Boulder senior guard Luke Wilson vs. Rock Canyon junior guard Sam Masten. We mentioned the attacking success of Wilson, he has been able to carry the Panthers on his shoulders for much of the season. The same can be said of Masten, who enters his third career postseason as a bonafide candidate for the player of the year award. Averaging 22.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists to go with stingy perimeter defense, few players in the state have been as valuable to his team.
Moving On: Eager to ride the momentum of a huge regular-season finale, Rock Canyon cruises into the Sweet 16.
No. 29 Grand Junction (13-10) at No. 4 Grandview (19-4), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Grand Junction dialed up the defense in its 54-43 first-round win over Columbine, limiting the Rebels to 35 percent shooting in the game. The Tigers would love to grind the game down against Grandview, limiting runs and staying in the game with sound execution. That will be easier said than done against a Grandview team fueled by athletic players at every spot, from point guard LeChaun Duhart to forwards Gage and Dayne Prim. After a few stumbles to end the season, Grandview is eager to prove it still belongs in the state title conversation.
Matchup To Watch: Grand Junction senior guard Drew Derrieux vs. Grandview senior guard LeChaun Duhart. Both guards like to set the pace for their teams. Derrieux has been one of the most underrated guards in his class, averaging 18.5 points per game. He was big in the first round win and will be key for the Tigers. On the flip side, the Wolves are difficult to stop when Duhart is at his best because, while he averages 17.5 points per game, the moment you start treating him solely as a scorer is the moment is the moment he starts breaking you down and delivering to Grandview’s cast of complementary scorers and shooters.
Moving On: Grandview’s firepower proves to be too much for traveling Grand Junction as the Wolves move to the Sweet 16.
No. 20 Legend (15-9) at No. 13 Mountain Vista (15-8), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
The Scoop: These two Continental League foes met back on Jan. 31, with Mountain Vista earning a hard-fought 55-44 victory. Vista senior guard Isaac Essien had his way in every facet of that game, scoring 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting while dishing out seven assists, collecting six rebounds and nabbing six steals. He had 14 deflections in the game, consistently disrupting passing lanes. Any hope Legend has of avenging that loss and pulling the upset hinges on its ability to at least limit Essien’s impact.
Matchup To Watch: Legend’s post defense vs. Mountain Vista senior forward Jake Belknapp. The 6-8 Belknapp had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the earlier game between the two teams. For Legend, trying to limit the penetration and playmaking of Essien can’t come at the penetration of pulling attention from Belknapp, who is one of the state’s top senior big men. Legend has capable scorers like Blake Fields (15 points in the last meeting) to keep them in the game on that end. Limiting the impact Belknapp, thus also forcing Essien to be less multi-dimensional, will be key for the Titans.
Moving On: It’s hard to beat a team twice in short order, but Mountain Vista’s dynamic senior duo will prove too much as the Golden Eagles advance to a Sweet 16 matchup with Grandview.
No. 21 Far Northeast Warriors (17-7) at No. 12 Overland (13-10), Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Scoop: The Warriors used a balanced, athletic attack to run past Dakota Ridge in the first round, with three different players — Aaris Bonds, Russell Wilkerson and Steven Goss III — scoring at least 14 points. That win sets up an intriguing matchup with a young Overland team that found its stride after an up-and-down start to the season. The Trailblazers, the two-time defending state champions, have won six straight games, including three victories against top-10 seeds in the tournament. Coach Danny Fisher has found a formula based on everyone playing a role and buying in.
Matchup To Watch: FNE senior Aaris Bonds vs. Overland junior Goy Wang. Bonds is a versatile and dynamic player who affects the game in multiple ways. He’s often FNE’s leading scorer, rebounder and assists leader. Wang has the length and quickness to be able to check an opposing team’s top perimeter option. He’ll certainly get his shot to limit Bonds, which will be a big key for the Trailblazers.
Moving On: Overland stays hot and earns a Sweet 16 matchup with Rock Canyon.