5A Sweet 16 Preview: Mark Randall Region
The action is intensifying in the 5A state tournament, with the Sweet 16 set to tip off Wednesday night. There are heavyweights still chasing the ultimate prize, with all four top seeds advancing to within a game of the Elite…
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Continue ReadingThe action is intensifying in the 5A state tournament, with the Sweet 16 set to tip off Wednesday night. There are heavyweights still chasing the ultimate prize, with all four top seeds advancing to within a game of the Elite 8.
There are also a couple 20-plus seeds who have reached this stage with no designs on slowing down. Will Wednesday bring us more upsets? Who will shine for their team on the biggest stage so far this season? Who is headed to the Denver Coliseum for what they hope will be three more games?
We’re about to find out the answers to those questions. For now, let’s preview the action heading into this week’s big showdowns:
5A Mark Randall Region
No. 13 Mountain Vista (16-8) at No. 4 Grandview (20-4), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Anyone who still appreciates a good battle of big men, this game is for you. Seniors Jake Belknapp of Mountain Vista and Gaige Prim of Grandview have played major roles in their teams success this season. Watching these two go at it should be a treat. Belknapp will be looking to bounce back after scoring two points in a 47-39 win over Legend. Prim tallied 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
Matchup To Watch: Mountain Vista guard Issac Essien vs. Grandview guard LeChaun Duhart. Did we mention these teams are stellar at point guard, too? Essien and Duhart are two of the best at the their position in their class, with distinct games that have helped move their team to this level. Essien is among the state’s leaders in assists. Duhart can hit up in hurry from long range. No matter how they do it, these two floor generals find ways to make a big impact.
X-Factors: Mountain Vista guard Connor Staib and Grandview forward Gunner Gentry. Two players who will fill up the state sheet in multiple ways.
Moving On: The Wolves find a way to move on and play for a berth in the Final Four.
No. 21 Far Northeast Warriors (18-7) at No. 5 Rock Canyon (21-3), TBA
The Scoop: These teams have distinctly different styles. The Warriors love to get up and down and run and play fast. Rock Canyon can play the fastbreak game when it needs to, but the Jaguars are at their most precise and efficient in the half court on both ends. FNE got to this stage with a mildly surprising victory over No. 12 Overland in the second round. The Jags survived a stiff challenge from Boulder to move on. Whoever can insert their will most effectively in this game will earn a ticket to the Denver Coliseum this weekend for the Elite Eight.
Matchup To Watch: FNE senior Aaris Bonds vs. RC senior Sam Masten. Bonds may be the most underrated player in the class. You can be sure that Rock Canyon coach Kent Grams and his team aren’t sleeping on the 6-5 senior with the ability to put his fingerprints on every aspect of the game. Take Saturday’s game against Overland. Bonds didn’t have his shot hitting at the normal rate, so he attacked the glass and pulled down 13 rebounds to go with his 13 points. He also had two assists and three steals. Masten was at his attacking best in the win over Boulder, scoring 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, adding four rebounds two assists and two steals.
X-Factors: FNE junior guard Sindou Cisse and Rock Canyon senior guard Colin Rardin.
Moving On: The Jaguars survive several big runs by the Warriors to advance to an enticing Elite Eight matchup with Grandview.