4A Tournament Preview and Predictions: Richard Tate Region
The Maceo Brodnax Region of the Class 4A state tournament features a number of intriguing matchups and future college prospects of multiple levels. Below we break down each first-round matchup: No. 1 Longmont (22-1) vs. No. 8 Skyview (15-8) The…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Maceo Brodnax Region of the Class 4A state tournament features a number of intriguing matchups and future college prospects of multiple levels.
Below we break down each first-round matchup:
No. 1 Longmont (22-1) vs. No. 8 Skyview (15-8)
The Scoop: After marching through an undefeated season all the way to the title game, Longmont came up short in overtime against Air Academy. They are unblemished in 4A play again this season (the only loss is to 5A Far Northeast) and are looking to make right that painful loss from a season ago. Skyview, the third-place finisher in the Colorado 7 League, is looking to play spoiler, having nearly knocked off Colorado 7 champ Vista PEAK only five days ago (54-50 overtime loss).
Players to watch
Longmont
Justinian Jessup, 6-5 senior wing. The Boise State signee is averaging 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.8 steals per game. He’s a bona fide player of the year candidate.
Kolton Bachman, 6-1, senior guard. One of the Trojans most improved players is averaging 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Kevin Mitchell, 6-3 senior guard/forward. Averaging 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Skyview
Joey Bauderer, 6-4 senior forward. Averaging 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Darrien Bing, 6-0 senior guard. Averaging 9.9 points and 2.1 rebounds
Prediction: Longmont
No. 4 Sand Creek (15-8) vs. No. 5 D’Evelyn (14-9)
The Scoop: This game feature’s our top-ranked junior, 6-6 forward D’Shawn Schwartz, whose team is entering the playoffs on the heels of a six-game winning streak. Schwartz has been the catalyst, raising his game in the second half of the season while averaging about 20 points and 10 rebounds each night out. D’Evelyn has some momentum of its own, coming off a 49-44 upset of 4A No. 1 seed Valor Christian on Friday in the JeffCo League tournament. The Jaguars are a balanced squad that gets contributions up and down a deep roster. This is one of the most intriguing first-round matchups in the bracket and is sure to come down to the wire.
Players to watch
Sand Creek
Schwartz. Averaging 20.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Jordan Phillips, 6-5 senior wing. 19.0 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Bryce Peterson, 6-0 sophomore point guard. The young floor leader does a great job setting up the team’s dynamic duo, and he chips in 6.1 points per game of his own.
D’Evelyn
Cameron Brown, 5-11 senior guard. 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Josh Brinkerhoff, junior. 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds
Jack Drab, 6-0 senior guard. 7.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Prediction: Sand Creek
No. 3 Mead (18-5) vs. No. 6 Green Mountain (11-12)
The Scoop: These two teams met in a game earlier this season, a lopsided victory by Mead that we were on hand to see. It is important to note, though, that Green Mountain’s top player, senior wing Austin Fritts, missed the game with a shoulder injury. He is one of the best player in 4A and will provide a stiff challenge for the Mavericks. But few teams in the state are hotter than Mead, which is in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, with all but one of those games coming by 19 points or more.
Players to watch
Mead
Walker Korell, 6-3 senior guard. The high-flyer with the eye-popping dunk reel has expanded his game this season and is averaging 15.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Michael Ward, 6-1 junior guard. Ward is one of the best point guards in the 2017 class and affects the game in so many ways. He’s averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
James Maher, 5-10 senior guard. Teams with Ward to give the Mavericks a talented and poised backcourt. Great distributor averaging 4.7 assists to go with 10.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.
Alex Sandstrom, 6-6 junior wing. Sandstrom is a unique prospect who can run the floor and really knock down the 3-pointer. He’ll be a key X-factor the Mavs.
Green Mountain
Fritts. The unsigned senior is averaging 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He can beat you from long range or get to the paint, where his athleticism helps him often finish with a flourish.
Alec Stowell, 6-0 senior guard. Averaging 13.3 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Jose Hinestroza, 6-4 senior forward. The strong big man will be a key to limiting Mead production inside.
Prediction: Mead
No. 2 Sierra (19-4) vs. No. 7 Wheat Ridge (15-8)
Sierra bulldozed through the Colorado Springs Metro League with a perfect 14-0 record, outscoring opponents by a combined 260 points. This is a tough-nosed group that loves to get after it on the defense end and turn pressure into offense. The Stallions have won 15 straight games. The Farmers are known for their toughness and have won three of their last four. They own wins this season over two other teams seeded higher than them in this bracket: D’Evelyn and Green Mountain.
Players to watch
Sierra
CJ Jennings, 6-2 junior guard. Jennings has had a breakout season while developing into one of the state’s best two-way players. He’s one of the state’s leading scorers (22.4 points per game) and also one of its top perimeter defenders. He’ll be a load to handle.
Kion Wingo, 5-8 senior guard. Averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds.
Wheat Ridge
Xavier Drilling, 6-2 senior forward. Averaging 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Travis Cowan, 5-10 junior point guard. Can score in bunches. Has five games of 20 or more points this season.
Naishon Thomas, 6-0 foot sophomore guard. 9.5 points and 3.0 rebounds.
Prediction: Sierra