Maceo Broadnax Region – Sweet 16
Well, the second round of the 5A Colorado High School State Playoffs has come and went after some entertaining basketball that included some upsets, some blowouts and some very good and entertaining games and now we’re in the Sweet 16 with some interesting matchups from the teams remaining. Prep Hoops Colorado has you covered on what to expect and who stands out in each region.
Maceo Broadnax Region
Who is in it:
Smoky Hill, Fairview, Pine Creek, George Washington, Lincoln, Bear Creek, Denver East, Dakota Ridge, Denver South, Liberty, Legend, Monarch
Who will win it?
Well, last round I chose for George Washington to win this region and I’m sticking with it. They faced off against Bear Creek who made a push at the 3-point record in their previous game and George made it a point to not let them get it going. They won 76-54 and was aggressive for the entire game despite being without Tre Pierce, the Patriots best defender due to an ankle injury. If they can get Pierce back and ride the hot hand of Jon’il Fugett and Xavier Johnson they could make noise coming out of the Maceo Broadnax region. The X factor for this unit, Mohammed Diallo had a game high 20 points and has proved that he’s a player that you have to take serious. GW is a stout group that really can get out and run, if Liberty feels as if they have any chance, they’ll have to control the pace and show well from outside of the paint or this one could get out of hand.
Standout performance?
The standout performance from the first round goes to Smoky Hill. There was a real belief that Fairview was going to give them a run for their money and possibly upset them and for a half it truly looked like it. Fairview got out to a fast start, got numerous stops, rotated the ball well and executed but Smoky ended up being too much for the Knights. Smoky one 76-49 and everyone was involved as they dominated in the second half. John Harge had a few highlight dunks, Will Becker joined in on the action and Quinten Rock and Kenny Foster affected the game in various ways as they always do, I expect their upcoming game against Denver East, a rematch of the team that knocked them out last year to be one of the games of the year and we’re lucky to be able to see it in the Sweet 16 although this is for sure supposed to be a Denver Coliseum game. The Buffaloes will again need all hands on deck if they play to avenge last year’s loss and move on to the Great Eight. Wednesday can’t come soon enough.
Most likely upset in the Sweet 16:
Smoky Hill versus Denver East
The most likely upset out of this region that I’m excited to see is Smoky Hill versus Denver East down at the Thunderdome on Wednesday. It’s a revenge game for Smoky Hill as they were eliminated by this very team last year in a tightly contested game and they want this one bad to prove that they’re better than their record shows. This is a very talented bunch that just has to get it all going at the same time and if you can get Becker, Harge, Rock and Foster clicking at the same time you’re in for a treat. They show up for big games and they have an advantage in the paint that I’m sure that Coach Hardin will try to expose. Smoky Hill has the overall talent, but, Denver East hs the best player. Daylen Kountz has been having an incredible senior season to put an explanation point on a superb career. He’s been the bright spot for this team and will try to will his team to yet another playoff victory on his quest to a state championship. Him and Kwane Marble will have to be the bright spot for this unit and a big game from them as well as help from Jashawn Chisel with a spark from the bench from Charles Young can have them win this game, we’ll see if Smoky Hill comes out firing on all cylinders and try and get them an upset against the No.1 player in the state.
Key players to watch for out of this region:
Will Becker, Kenny Foster, John Harge, Quinten Rock, Jon’il Fugett, Xavier Cooper, Tray Pierce, Mo Diallo, Kwane Marble, Daylen Kountz, Moz Doria, Sean Bohuslavsky