Event Preview: Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase

<p>When examining the rosters for the Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase that runs all day Saturday at Legend High School in Parker, one word came immediately to mind.</p><p>Loaded.</p> <p>The large majority of the state’s top players will be in attendance, including the top-ranked players in Prep Hoop Colorado’s 2016 (<strong>De’Ron Davis</strong>), 2018 (<strong>Daylen Kountz</strong>) and 2019 (we can’t give this one away until we release those rankings next week) classes.</p> <p>Top-ranked 2017<strong> D’Shawn Schwartz</strong> would be at the event if he weren’t training with the USA Basketball Junior National team this weekend, and the No. 2 prospect in the class, <strong>Colbey Ross</strong>, has football commitments.</p> <p>Still, there will be major talent from all levels participating in the event. Prep Hoops Colorado will be there all day Saturday to bring you in-depth coverageHere are a few things we’ll be keeping an eye on:</p> <p style="text-align:center"><strong>Fresh faces</strong></p> <p>Most of the players in the freshman game are used to this environment, of playing against top players during grassroots tournaments and showcases. Still, this is one of the first opportunities we’ll to see the top of this class all going at it in the same place. It will be interesting to see some players who could play roles big and small on their varsity programs this fall.</p> <p style="text-align:center"><strong>Sizzling sophomores</strong></p> <p>This just might be the game of the day. Eight of the top-10 ranked players in the PHC 2018 class will be playing in the game, including Kountz and his Colorado Hawks teammate <strong>Sam Masten</strong>. ThunderRidge’s <strong>Kaison Hammonds</strong> (Billups), Eaglecrest’s <strong>Xai’Vion Jackson</strong> (Hawks) and Thomas Jefferson’s <strong>Xavier Cooper</strong> (Miners) are among the other talented players that will be playing in this game.</p> <p>There is so much size in this game. From 6-foot-7 George Washington forward <strong>D’Auntray Pierce</strong> to 6-9 Mountain Vista big <strong>R.J. Wohlleber</strong> to 6-10 <strong>Dawson Carper</strong> of Rampart. Smoky Hill’s twin tower combo of <strong>John Harge</strong> (6-7) and <strong>Will Becker</strong> (6-5) should also be intriguing to watch. The mix of size, talent and style will make this game a must-see.</p> <p style="text-align:center"><strong>Who will stand out?</strong></p> <p>You see it every time at an event this size. Some player who had been coasting steadily under the radar will impress on the big stage. We saw it at our PTP Combine event last weekend, where a guy like T.J. Clark, a 2016 guard from Liberty, comes and tests off the charts and plays big in the games. If you feel like you have been undervalued or under-recruited, these are the types of moments you can use to springboard yourself.</p> <p style="text-align:center"><strong>Uncommited 2016s</strong></p> <p>There are still some very talented players in the 2016 class who are trying to find a college home. The senior game at 4:30 features at least a dozen players who could be impact players at the D-II, D-III or NAIA level in the right situation. It will be great to see which of these guys steps up on that kind of proving ground.</p> <p style="text-align:center"><strong>Schedule</strong></p> <p>11 a.m. – Freshman game</p> <p>12:45 p.m. – Sophomore game</p> <p>2:30 p.m. – Junior game</p> <p>4:15 p.m. – Senior game</p> <p>6 p.m. – Top 20 game</p>