The Way Too Early PPAC Preview
The Pikes Peak Athletic Conference is one of the top conferences in the state. The 2016-17 co-champs, Vista Ridge and Lewis-Palmer, made deep postseason runs last season as well. Vista Ridge lost in the Sweet 16 to eventual 5A champs, Eaglecrest. Lewis-Palmer rode a 19-game winning streak to the 4A state final before being upended by Valor Christian.
The class of 2017 saw a lot of graduations as well including two of Colorado’s best players, D’Shawn Schwartz and Hunter Maldonado. Sand Creek’s Schwartz has moved on to the University of Colorado, while Vista Ridge’s Maldonado attends University of Wyoming. It may be a while before the PPAC sees these type of Division I talents again.
Looking forward to 2017-18, Sand Creek may be the most interesting of the PPAC teams. Eleven of their twelve-man varsity roster graduated, so Coach Rob Hawkins has his work cut out for him. Look for Sand Creek to be relatively inexperienced but compete hard nightly.
Air Academy struggled with inexperience and injuries in 16-17 but returns eight key contributors from last year’s team. Brock Bendrick and Niko Lunt will key Coach Barry Clark’s offense. If I’m picking a PPAC sleeper, Air Academy is it. They are a handful on offense and play as hard as anyone on a nightly basis.
Cheyenne Mountain struggled at times last year, going 4-10 in league play, however they return junior Will Louis and senior Luke Martin. Jevonte Johnson and Nick Bassett also return for Coach Elgin Fitzgerald as well. Look for them to be much improved. Martin will most likely contend for PPAC Player of the Year as well.
Discovery Canyon’s Coach Paul Campbell has some returners from last year’s 9-15 team, most notably 6’6” junior Zachary Anderson. The big lefty, with a nice scoring touch, will be a focal point of PPAC defenses. Look for Discovery Canyon to make strides in Campbell’s second year at the helm.
Falcon returns the majority of their roster and will look to challenge for the top spot in the league. Their up-tempo offense will give PPAC defenses fits. Senior guards, Reece Warren and Noah Martinez will lead the way with big man, Mitchell Ballage, working the interior.
Palmer Ridge also returns most of its roster, only losing four seniors to graduation. Look for Cory McLellan and Nick Boldvich to lead the way for coach Nick Mayer. Palmer Ridge will be a force in the PPAC this season and may even challenge for the top spot.
The Vista Ridge Wolves will return their brand of athleticism to league play this year. While they lost Maldonado to graduation, they return a potential player of the year candidate in 6’5” junior, Tristan Pratt. Coach Joe Hites has a talented junior class which also features Julius Dowell and Micah Hilts. The Wolves will again contend for a PPAC title following the co-championship in 2016-17.
The Lewis-Palmer Rangers lost six players to graduation from last year’s 4A runner up team. If we learned anything last season, it’s that you don’t ever count the Rangers out or think they’re going in to rebuilding mode. Coach Bill Benton returns junior Joel Scott, who will be asked to do much more this season. Scott will contend for Player of the Year Award as well. Guards Noah Baca and Salim Nehme will also have increased roles this season. Despite the loss of six seniors, including all conference player Billy Cook, Lewis-Palmer will be back at or near the top of the conference.
I expect the league to be extremely competitive on a nightly basis. I don’t believe anyone will run away with a league championship. Expect most of the league, if not all, to make the state tournament.
My predictions for 2017-18 in the PPAC:
Player of the Year: Tristan Pratt -Vista Ridge
Coach of the Year: Joe Hites -Vista Ridge
Conference Champs: Lewis-Palmer Rangers.