Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase: Recapping Senior Game

<p>While I was only able to catch the second half of the senior game and, without a doubt, many of the top 2016 talents were in the top twenty showdown, that doesn’t mean the senior game lacked for star power with high-scoring performances, records, and under-the-radar risers.</p><p>For instance, <strong>Jack Fiddler</strong> and <strong>Dalven Brushier</strong> didn’t earn spots in the top twenty showdown, but they absolutely took advantage of the opportunity to display their skills.</p> <p>Fiddler, a 6-foot-5 forward from Highlands Ranch with a 4.2 GPA and a 34 on his ACT, is known for his hustle, his intangibles and his feel. Certainly his academic pedigree would allow him to study at numerous small schools, but he doesn’t want to give up basketball quite yet either.</p> <p>After his sensational senior game performance of 37 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and a Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase record for three-pointers with eight, he earned co-MVP honors with Brushier. To put his scoring output into perspective, Fiddler only attempted 18 three-pointers his entire junior season for the Falcons, making five of them, and averaged 5.2 points per game.</p> <p>The wing now looks ready and able to help lead Highlands Ranch, backed by first-year coach Mike Gibbs, into a new era, one with challenges and promise. By the way, Fiddler also buried 12 of 17 field goals and went 5 of 6 at the charity stripe. He even did his best Steph Curry impersonation at the end of the contest, as he was a force throughout, but really started ripping the net in the final minutes. Fiddler will continue to garner small school interest and is hoping he can get Division II looks with a big senior year.</p> <p>As for Brushier, coming off a strong grassroots season with The Force where he earned Prep Hoops Colorado Player of July honors and was named to our All-Grassroots 17U Second Team, the guard added to his growing reputation as a dynamic penetrator and all-around guard. Brushier’s family moves had never allowed him to compete on the circuit before and, despite a productive junior season for Doherty, he was fairly unknown headed into the summer.</p> <p>Man, how quickly things can change. He dropped 20 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds and had some ‘wow’ moments athletically as he was dangerous in transition. The guard is talented enough to where a spot in the top twenty game would have been deserved. Nonetheless, Brushier took advantage, once again, of an opportunity to compete. He has Division II offers and some low Division I looks. There’s no doubt he’s a legit college prospect.</p> <p>The Black team, with Fiddler and Brushier knifing through the White Team’s defense, poured in points and claimed a 120-84 victory in a game that was never close. <strong>Brett Harmon </strong>(16), <strong>Jesus Martinez </strong>(13), <strong>Troy Brady </strong>(12) all chipped in double figure points for Team Black and Brady tallied 8 rebounds and 8 assists, as well.</p> <p>6-foot-8 Martinez was active in the paint with 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. He’s a gifted rim protector with his length. Brady, just a tick under 6-feet, was scrappy and aggressive. He’s an energy guy, a shot-maker, an improving distributor, and a growing all-around presence. Shooting the ball is still his forte, and he’s one of the best in Colorado at his trade, but the ThunderRidge guard isn’t one-dimensional.</p> <p>Harmon is another high-academic talent, a left-handed guard who would make a Division III or NAIA school very happy. He’s an intelligent player who can put the ball in the basket.</p> <p>As for Team White, <strong>Henry Cooper </strong>continued his strong recent play with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. The confidence he has in his jumper allowed him to flourish in July with Next Level and, while he didn’t shoot a high percentage Saturday (6 of 19), he was very dangerous. Cooper wasn’t afraid to play defense either, an often forgotten part of the game in all-star showcases. Thomas Jefferson will have a senior leader this winter in Cooper. </p> <p><strong>Tyler McFarland</strong> (18 points), <strong>Connor McCord </strong>(12), <strong>CJ Cetta</strong> (12), and <strong>Trey Boeyink </strong>(12) all had moments.</p> <p>In the end, the top twenty game featured a number of the elite fourth-year prospects in Colorado, but the senior game displayed the depth of talent in the state. At <strong>Prep Hoops Colorado</strong> one of our goals is to help small school prospects—not just the Division I kids—receive attention and have a better chance at finding a home at the next level. The senior game at the Rocky Mountain Fall Showcase was a perfect opportunity for those types of players to show off. </p>