Games of the Week-Week 6
Monday, Jan. 8th
George Washington vs. Chaparral
GW is a team that’s had some ups, but, they’ve also had some downs. They started the year out real strong but has fell to some pretty tough teams. They’re one of those teams that just haven’t had the full team click and all be on at the same time. One of the interesting things about this unit is they haven’t lost two games in a row. Well, that could be changing unless they get it going as they’re looking at the toughest part of their schedule with a close loss against Top 10 Thunder Ridge, Top 5 Chaparral up next, and then Top 10 Regis. What a tough three game stretch and it all starts with a game against Chaparral who happens to be coming off of a thrilling win against Denver East and a blowout against Hinkley. Chap is catching their stride at the same time and don’t look to be slowing down. They’ve had players step up like Joseph Dalton and Bryce Matthews with already one of the best inside-out duos in the state in Kobe Sanders and Ronnie DeGray III. The sky’s the limit for this squad and they look to be up for the test against a GW squad that when at max potential can beat any team in the state. This’ll be a good challenge for both teams and a close out throughout.
Tuesday, Jan. 9th
George Washington vs. Regis
GW not only faces Top 5 Chaparral but 24 hours later they face-off against another very talented and highly rated team in the state in Regis. Jon’il Fugett, Xavier Cooper, Tre Pierce, and Mo Diallo must be ready against a deep Regis team that can match their fast paced or switch it up and slow it down. GW needs to be at their best and their best includes their bench showing up as well, so Devin Carter, Kendale Johnson and Jovan Nelson need to contribute as well if they plan on winning this tough game 24 hours removed from what’ll for sure be a close fought battle on Monday night. Regis currently sits at 10-1 and is as tough as they come. They have an experienced bunch that logs some big minutes led by Seniors Sam Bannec and Elijah Martinez. Juniors Jamil Safieddine and Matt Wheelock have been some other key contributors to this unit that just manage to get it done. They’re a disciplined bunch that know how to play the game unselfishly and hard and that has been the key factor to their success. They’ll be well rested before they start their tough three game stretch that includes Thunder ridge and Rock Canyon so a good start to the stretch is crucial. Expect them to be ready.
Wednesday, Jan. 10th
Grandview vs. Cherokee Trail
Last week was a good week for both of these teams as they both took down a very talented Smoky Hill team that doesn’t seem to be on the same page right now. Cherokee Trail won in a close one and gets it done with their willingness to fight. It’s an experienced scrappy team that plays with a ton of energy and if there’s a loose ball—they’re getting to it. They aren’t a team that puts up a ton of points as they only have two players that average double digit points for the season in Seniors Tyson Rodgers and Deon Barfield, but their hard-nosed defense with players like Kamron Bode, Champion Martin and Octavion Hymer can help determine the outcome of a game and they’ll need it against their rival school Grandview. Grandview is a disciplined team that feels as if they can compete with any team in the state. They have outside shooting, size and energy that aren’t often matched. It’s a deep team that doesn’t have a go to player that uses its balance to their advantage. No matter if it’s Dayne Prim, Ben Boone, Davon Walker, Caleb McGill or Tyler Unger, somebodies going to step up and make a big play and that’s why the Wolves are one of the toughest teams in the state. This’ll be a good game.
Friday, Jan. 12th
Regis vs. Thunder Ridge
Regis plays GW earlier in the week before facing off against another gifted team that gets it done, just in a different way. As they’ll be coming off of a game that’ll be played at a faster pace against GW, they’ll have to create that balance and control the pace against a lengthy TRidge squad that’s led by Kaison Hammonds, Tyson Cruickshank, Austin Holt and Justin McCaw. They also have other key contributors like Verk, Sax, Arnold, Hess and Rumbaugh that will take initiative when called upon. This is a deep team that’s ready to chase a gold ball and they’ve shown it game by game. Expect a tight one.
Smoky Hill vs. Mullen
Smoky is on their first two game losing streak of the year and coming off of a loss that sent ripples across the state. If there’s a thing to learn from their loss it’s that this is as tight of a year as we’ve seen in quite some time as any team can be beat and also this is why we play the games, you have to want it. The Buffaloes have started off league play 0-2 and will be ready to avenge their OT loss to Cherokee and showcase why they were picked as one of the teams that could ultimately win it all. .they’ve only been in a spunk. Kenny Foster, John Harge, William Becker and Quinten Rock will be ready to turn the tides and start stringing along complete games and it starts Wednesday against Overland, but then again against a robust Mullen unit. Mullen puts up 69.1 points per game behind Christian Davis, Nick Cito, Brady and Reggie Parris and Conor Riepma and are ready to prove that they too can compete in the strong Centennial league. Each night shall be a fight in this league; this game will be no different.