Season Preview: Top scorers in Colorado (11-20)

<p>As we continue to get closer to the start of what should be an exciting 2015-16 season, we march on with our season preview package that covers, players, teams and trends.</p><p>Earlier this week, we brought you our take on the top-10 scorers in Colorado, a list you can find <a href="http://prephoopscolorado.com/news_article/show/556141?referrer_id=1926177"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p> <p>We based on our list on a combination of statistics, games viewed, level of competition and improvements made by players heading into this season.</p> <p>Today: Scorers 11-20.</p> <p><strong>11. Jonathan Scott, Lewis-Palmer.</strong> Scott has a Division-I pedigree with big brother Josh preparing for his senior season up in Boulder at the University of Colorado. Jonathan, who averaged 18.7 points per game as a junior last season, is smaller than his brother at 6-foot-4, but he has the ability to score in a multitude of ways, particularly excelling as a slasher at the basket. He is also a consistent outside shooter, hitting 42 percent of his 3-point attempts (42-for-101) last season. Scott posted double-digit scoring outputs in all but one game last season. He is currently uncommitted.</p> <p><strong>12. Hunter Maldonado, Vista Ridge. </strong>Maldonado, 6-foot-5 junior forward, averaged 18 points per game as a sophomore last season. Maldonado handles the ball well for a player who could reach 6-7, and he’s creative at the point of attack. He also has a nice pull-up game and can hit with consistency out to the 3-point line. If he can add weight to his frame and become an even more physical finisher at the basket, Maldonado has a chance to be among the state’s leading scorers this season.</p> <p><strong>13. Tyrei Randall, Rangeview. </strong>Randall was a model of efficiency last season while shooting 55 percent from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range while leading Rangeview at 13.4 points per game. That figure might not be as high as some others on the list, but Rangeview is the epitome of a ball-sharing team that excels in transition. When the Raiders need offense, Randall will be the one to look to, and as one of the state’s most improved players during the summer, chances are he’ll deliver. Randall has received Division-I interest but is yet to commit.</p> <p><strong>14. Christian Hyatt, Colorado Academy.</strong> Hyatt is a player who simply knows how to get his shot. The 6-foot point guard has a great pull-up jumper off the dribble, and he has a quick catch-and-release when he’s playing off the ball. Despite his size, Hyatt gets to the rim with ease, where his knack for creating angles against bigger defenders helps him finish with consistency. Hyatt averaged 18.5 points per game for Colorado Academy as a junior.</p> <p><strong>15. Chudier Bile, Denver South. </strong>A player who is only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential, Bile is one of the state’s most athletic players and has a high motor. He is always around the basket, averaging 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-5 Bile exploded at the end of last season with a 37-point outing against Denver East, his energy and athleticism leading to a number of easy scoring opportunities. Bile is one of the biggest sleepers in his class and could be in for a breakout season. If he can hone an outside jump shot that showed promise last season (14-of-36) from 3-point range, the sky could be the limit.</p> <p><strong>16. Justin Engresser, Colorado Springs Christian. </strong>Engresser helped lead CSC to a 26-1 record and a class 3A state championship last season while averaging 15.6 points per game. The 6-foot-4, 200 pound guard has a great-sized frame and demonstrates his strength when scoring inside. He’s a tough finisher that gives himself second-chance opportunities on the glass. Engresser shot 52 percent from the field last season -- 61 percent on two-point field goals. He has a great pull-up jumper and is rarely off balance.</p> <p><strong>17. David Simental, Pueblo West. </strong>There is something about those scorers in Pueblo. Simental, whose sister Haley plays for the University of Denver women’s basketball team, averaged 18.7 points per game last season, the second-highest total for big-school sophomores behind Lakewood’s Kolton Peterson (23.0). The 6-foot-2 point guard shot 53 percent from the floor and 45 percent from 3-point range last season while leading Pueblo West to the Class 4A playoffs.</p> <p><strong>18. Daylen Kountz, George Washington. </strong>Kountz averaged 11.5 points per game last season -- as a freshman. After a brief adjustment to the high school level, Kountz looked like a season vet during league play while guiding the Patriots to a perfect league record. The 6-foot-3 guard is whip-quick off the dribble and is a solid shooter who is only improving. He was 43 percent from the field last season and 81 percent from the line. As the physical growth comes, Kountz will be even more dangerous now that he has a year of experience under his belt.</p> <p><strong>19. Austin Fritts, Green Mountain. </strong>The 6-foot-2 senior guard is a highly-athletic player whose leaping ability makes him a strong finisher inside. Fritts averaged 17.5 points per game last season while shooting 48 percent from the field. If he can make improvements to his outside jump shot (31 percent from 3-point range last season), Fritts will be an even more dangerous offensive player.</p> <p><strong>20. LaDarius Thomas, Aurora Central. </strong>This spot could also go to the other members of the Trojans’ talented backcourt, Elijah Coleman and Daytone Jennings. But it’s hard to argue against Thomas, the highly athletic guard who led the team in scoring last season at 16.1 points per game. Thomas is a great ball-handler who finishes well and is also a great distributor.</p>