Preview of 5A Colorado Springs Metro
The Class 5A Colorado Springs Metro League offers a great deal of intrigue this season because it features several teams that have the chance to make deep playoff pushes. Teams down south on I-25 can often get overlooked, but doing…
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Continue ReadingThe Class 5A Colorado Springs Metro League offers a great deal of intrigue this season because it features several teams that have the chance to make deep playoff pushes. Teams down south on I-25 can often get overlooked, but doing that with some of these teams will come at an opponent's own peril. Without further ado, here's a preview of our final Class 5A League.
1. RAMPART
Last season: 18-7 overall, 10-2 in league
The Rams were perhaps the most balanced team in the league last season, and though they are losing their top scorer in Donovan Oldham (16.4 points per game), there is a lot to like about what this team has back. In a league full of talented point guards, Rampart has one of the most solid in junior Romeo Maestas, who dished out 4.2 assists per game last season. Cal Zeb Roberson and Jackson Erhlin add to a strong junior class.
2. DOHERTY
Last season: 14-11 overall, 8-4 in league
Dalven Brushier is our preseason player of the year after finishing second in the Metro in scoring last season and playing as well as anyone on the summer circuit. Brushier has great explosiveness to his game. Doherty also has a talented floor general Brevin Brimble, who averaged nearly 13 points per game as a sophomore this season. He’ll likely have to shoulder more responsibility with former backcourt mate Tynan Velasquez having transferred to Palmer.
3. PALMER
Last season: 12-11 overall, 6-6 in league
The under-the-radar Terrors may have the pieces in place to make a run for the league title. In addition to the transfer of Tynan Velasquez, one of the top point guards in the 2016 class, Palmer returns its leading scorer in 6-foot-5 senior forward Will Ross (13.5 points and 8.0 rebonds per game lsat season), and 5-foot-10 junior guard Isaiah Clausell-Reese is back after averaging 10.1 points and 3.6 assists last season.
4. FOUNTAIN-FORT CARSON
Last season: 12-11 overall, 7-5 in league
The Trojans are tasked with replacing a good deal of talent from the team that finished third in the league a season ago. Look for big things from 6-foot-5 junior forward Dimjon O’Neal, who averaged 8.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while being named an All-Metro honorable mention.
5. PINE CREEK
Last season: 9-15 overall, 5-7 in league
There is reason for optimism with Pine Creek returning its top two scorers from a season ago. Junior Jeremiah Pruitt is a 6-foot-2 guard/small forward who tallied 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He’s joined by fellow junior Quentin Gutierrez, a 5-foot-11 guard who averaged 13.3 points per game last season. Football star JoJo Domann adds good punch in the backcourt.
6. LIBERTY
Last season: 9-15 overall, 5-7 in league
The Lancers have one of the most exciting players in the league in T.J. Clark, an athletic, 5-foot-11 high-flyer who averaged 10.4 points per game and has worked hard to develop his mid-range and outside jump shots. He was one of the most complete players at our Prime Time Prospects Combine back in September. Senior forward Chris Gaines (5.8 points per game last season) adds valuable experience.
7. CORONADO
Last season: 5-17 overall, 1-11 in league
The Cougars have a new coach in David Thomas, who is eager to guide the rebuild at the school. He’s working hard to instill pride in the program, recently running the school’s first annual father-son Thanksgiving basketball game. On the court, Thomas has some promising players, including Tyler Castellanos and Jaydon Lewis.
PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS
Preseason Player of the Year: Dalven Brushier
First Team
Dalven Brushier, 6-foot-3 senior guard, Doherty
Brevin Brimble, 5-foot-11 junior guard, Doherty
Will Ross, 6-foot-5 senior forward, Palmer
Romeo Maestas, 5-foot-7 junior guard, Rampart
Tynan Velasquez, 6-foot guard, Palmer
Second Team
TJ Clark, 5-foot-11 senior guard, Liberty
Quinten Gutierrez, 5-foot-11 junior guard, Pine Creek
Jeremiah Pruitt, 6-foot-2 junior guard/small forward, Pine Creek
Cal Zeb Roberson, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Rampart
Jackson Ehrlin, 6-foot-4 junior forward, Rampart