Updating Mr. Colorado Basketball Race
With only one week remaining in the regular season, it is a great time to examine the race for the first annual Prep Hoops Mr. Colorado Basketball, who will be named at the end of the postseason. Below are 11…
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Continue ReadingWith only one week remaining in the regular season, it is a great time to examine the race for the first annual Prep Hoops Mr. Colorado Basketball, who will be named at the end of the postseason.
Below are 11 top candidates for the award, in no particular order, though others could join the mix with a transcendent close over the next three weeks.
Jalen Sanders, 6-5 junior wing, Valor Christian
Sanders has been a dynamic and versatile force for the 20-1 Eagles. He is averaging 17.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. He’s also averaging 2.8 steals per game. Few players in the state have checked so many boxes for his team.
Michael Ranson, 6-2 senior guard, Pueblo Central
At 33.1 points per game, Ranson is tied for eighth in the nation in scoring. It has been an up-and-down season for the 12-9 Wildcats, who lost second-leading scorer Kobi Betts to an ACL injury just before the year started, but Ranson has been a consistent scoring force, and he’s sure to be ready for the big stage of the state tournament.
D’Shawn Schwartz, 6-foot-6 forward, Sand Creek
Schwartz, who is averaging 20.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, has continued to surge as the year has gone on, peaking at the right time for the 13-8 Scorpions. He’s averaging nearly 24 points and better than 10 rebounds in his last six games.
Braxton Bertolette, 6-2 junior guard, Fossil Ridge
The sharpshooter at the Fort Collins high school is averaging 24.3 points per game, which leads all Class 5A scorers. His eye-popping scoring campaign included a game in which he scored 48 points on a state-record 16 3-pointers. He’s shooting 43 percent (88-of-207) from long range.
De’Ron Davis, 6-10 senior forward, Overland
To this point, Davis’ numbers (13.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game) are down slightly from last season, but he has still been a game-changing post presence amid double- and triple-teams while helping Overland to an 18-3 mark, and the Trailblazers, not the mention their Indiana-bound big man, seem to be peaking at the right time.
Daylen Kountz, 6-5 sophomore wing, George Washington
The Patriots are hot as any team in the state, and Kountz has been a major reason why. The smooth left-hander is averaging 22.1 points per game, second in 5A behind Bertolette. He’s adding 2.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds, coupled with 1.8 steals. George Washington can clinch the Denver Prep League title with victories over Denver North and Kennedy this week.
Colbey Ross, 6-0 junior guard, Eaglecrest
Ross is averaging 19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game for 19-2 Eaglecrest. His production has been compiled in the most efficient of ways: He’s shooting 50 percent from the field, 41 precent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the free-throw line. He can lead the Raptors to at least a share of the Centennial League title with a pair of victories this week.
David Thornton, 6-5 senior forward, Cherokee Trail
Thornton has played with a discernible edge for much of this season, and it has served him well. He is averaging 19.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and he’s compiled seven double-doubles. His play has helped the Cougars emerge into a top-8 team, and they look to have the tools of a squad that could make a deep run in the upcoming state tournament.
Justin Bassey, 6-4 senior guard, Colorado Academy
Bassey, whose team has finished as Class 3A runners-up in back-to-back seasons, has averaged 24.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists, and he’s led CA to four victories in its last five games. The Harvard-bound guard has a habit of elevating his game in big moments.
Tyrei Randall, 6-5 senior wing, Rangeview
The leading scorer (16.4 points per game) for the 20-0 Raiders, Randall is the long, athletic, slashing player who epitomizes the success Rangeview has had during what to this point has been a perfect season.
Justinian Jessup, 6-5 wing, Longmont
One of the state’s best two-way players, Jessup has is averaging 18.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He’s led the 20-1 Trojans’ staunch defense with 3.6 steals per contest. Behind Jessup, Longmont has yet to lose a game to a 4A opponent this season.