4A Tournament Previews and Predictions: Mark Randall Region
The Mark Randall Region is perhaps the most intriguing of the bracket, with fun matchups of varying styles. It would not be surprising to see a number of lower seeded teams emerge from first-round matchups in this region, and we’re…
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Continue ReadingThe Mark Randall Region is perhaps the most intriguing of the bracket, with fun matchups of varying styles.
It would not be surprising to see a number of lower seeded teams emerge from first-round matchups in this region, and we’re predicting close finishes throughout.
Take a look at our breakdown of each first-round matchup:
No. 1 Valor Christian (21-2) vs. No. 8 Glenwood Springs (12-11)
Despite a surprising upset at the hands of D’Evelyn on Friday, Valor Christian enters the playoffs on a roll a serious shot at claiming a title under first-year coach Troy Pachner. The Eagles have the best junior class of any team in the classification, all with unique sets of talents. When Valor is humming, sharing the ball and digging in on defense, they are hard to beat. Glenwood Springs features one of the state’s top under-the-radar players in Cameron Horning, who can light it up in a hurry and shoot his team into contention against anyone.
Players to watch
Valor Christian
Jalen Sanders, 6-5 junior wing. A top candidate for player of the year, Sanders does everything for the Eagles, averaging 16.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game.
Kayle Knuckles, 6-6 junior forward. Knuckles is one of the state’s most improved players, putting up 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Dylan McCaffrey, 6-5 forward. He may have just committed to playing quarterback at Michigan, but McCaffrey can ball on the court, too. He averages in double figures and makes winning plays.
Glenwood Springs
Horning, 6-3 senior guard. Horning’s 23 points per game are third-most in 4A. He’s made 59-of-110 3-pointers and is also averaging 7.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.5 steals.
Mason Yellico, 5-7 senior guard. 5.9 points and 3.4 assists per game.
Angel Garcia, 5-10 freshman guard. Averaging 5.6 points in debut season.
Prediction: Valor Christian
No. 4 Holy Family (16-7) vs. No. 5 Fort Morgan (16-7)
Holy Family was dealt a major blow when its top player, Chris Helbig, suffered a major knee injury while playing football in the fall. But Pete Villeco’s group has been resilient nonetheless, and finished as a co-champ of the Tri-Valley League, with its only losses to fellow co-champs Windsor and Mead. Fort Morgan went 13-1 in the Colorado 7 League, its only defeat in the finale against Vista PEAK.
Players to watch
Holy Family
Joe Golter, 6-1 junior guard. Golter has embraced a leadership role in Helbig’s absence and is averaging a team-leading 11.7 assists to go with 4.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds.
Kyle Helbig, 6-3 freshman guard. Chris’ younger brother has had a strong first season for the Tigers, averaging 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Fort Morgan
Trey McBride, 6-3 sophomore forward. The younger brother of CSU-bound football standout Toby McBride, Trey has made a big mark on the basketball court, averaging 16.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He’s scored in double figures in all but three games this season.
Tate Kembel, 6-0 junior guard. Averaging 14.2 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Prediction: Holy Family
No. 3 Windsor (17-6) at No. 6 Thomas Jefferson (10-13)
The Wizards, who are trying to add a basketball championship to the football crown they captured in the fall, are a dangerous 3-point shooting team that shoots 40 percent as a team from behind the arc, with six different players who have hit at least 10 threes and four with 35 or more. Despite its record, Thomas Jefferson is a talented team with solid athletes who have the ability to score in bunches. If the Spartans can be disciplined enough to protect the 3-point line, they’ll give themselves a chance at an upset.
Players to watch
Windsor
Colton McLean, 6-3 senior guard. A PHC Player of the Week earlier this season, McLean is a dynamite shooter who is averaging a team-leading 13.8 points per game.
Michael Scheid, 6-4 senior forward. Scheid gives the Wizards a good dose of toughness inside, averaging 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Noah Baldwin, 6-1 senior guard. Baldwin is one of the state’s most savvy distributors, averaging 7.2 assists per game.
Jimmy Mitchell, 5-10 senior guard. The top 3-point shooter on a team full of them, Mitchell is shooting 46 percent (61-of-134) from behind the arc.
Thomas Jefferson
Ravel Moody, 6-5 junior wing. Moody is long, athletic and versatile. His 17.0 points per game lead the team, and he can be disruptive guarding multiple positions when he locks in defensively.
Xavier Cooper, 6-3 sophomore guard. Cooper is skilled and physical, averaging 12.3 points and a team-leading 9.0 rebounds per game.
Henry Cooper, 6-1 senior guard. The Nebraska Wesleyan bound guard brings a solid does of leadership to the team.
Prediction: Windsor
No. 2 Pueblo South (20-3) vs. No. 7 Widefield (14-9)
South faces a tough draw in a seven-seed of Widefield’s caliber. The Gladiators feature two strong big men in Tre Pierre, the No. 4 player in our 2018 class, and TJ Davis. But South, which finished second behind rival Pueblo West in the South Central League, has plenty of firepower of its own, beginning with talented senior guard Maleek Johnson. The Colts have good balance and leadership, and you don’t get to 20-3 by accident. This should be a highly entertaining first-round matchup.
Players to watch
Pueblo South
Johnson, 6-1 senior guard. Johnson excels in transition, where he’s quick, athletic and creative at the basket. He leads the team in scoring at 17.6 points per game.
Isiah Pannunzio, 6-3 senior forward. Committed to CSU for football, is a tough-nosed player who will be key to the Colts’ hopes of corralling Pierre and Davis.
Brett Devries, 6-3 senior forward. Averages 12.4 points per game.
Widefield
Tre Pierre, 6-5 sophomore forward. Averaging a monster 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
TJ Davis, 6-2 sophomore forward. Nearly putting up a double-double average of his own with 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds.
Daz Rodgers, 5-8 junior guard. Gives the Gladiators good punch out of the backcourt at 9.5 points per game.
Prediction: Widefield