Colorado Game of the Week Recap: Eaglecrest at Boulder
The Raptors, our No. 4 team in this week’s 5A rankings, jumped out to a 13-5 first quarter lead last Thursday and outscored the Panthers in the final three frames to cruise to a 58-42 victory at Boulder. Forcing plenty…
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Continue ReadingThe Raptors, our No. 4 team in this week’s 5A rankings, jumped out to a 13-5 first quarter lead last Thursday and outscored the Panthers in the final three frames to cruise to a 58-42 victory at Boulder. Forcing plenty of turnovers, 22 in total, and taking advantage of their athleticism, Eaglecrest beat the host team in transition time and again and outshot Boulder 55 to 32 percent. The Centennial League power improved their record to 7-0 in December. Boulder, who has also had a strong season with wins over Grandview, George Washington and Aurora Central, is 5-2 headed into winter break.
Player of the Game
Colbey Ross had a game-high 21 points and was the best player on the floor throughout.
Eaglecrest Raptors
Colbey Ross, 6-1 junior guard
Our No. 2 ranked prospect in the class of 2017, Ross recently picked up an offer from Cal Poly, his fourth Division I offer. Against Boulder, he not only racked up over 20 points, but also drew numerous fouls and buried 14-of-15 at the charity stripe. He also tallied four rebounds, three steals and two assists. Ross is the superstar of this team, one with a good amount of talent, but with several players new to their varsity roles. He’s been at the forefront of an undefeated December.
Ikenna Ozor, 6-3 junior forward
Ozor plays the role of power forward for the Raptors, and is a player who picks and chooses when to be aggressive offensively. He was effective around the basket, going 5-for-5 from the field, and he scored 12 points. Ozor is as efficient as can be with a 32-of-42 from the field mark for the season. He also does a good job on the glass.
Abanezer Alemneh, 6-3 senior guard/forward
The senior is very rangy and pretty athletic. He hurt Boulder in transition and scored eight points and snatched four steals. Alemneh is a solid wing who caused the Panthers major problems in presses and traps with his length.
Nate Bokol, 6-5 junior forward
Bokol, one of only two returning starters with Ross, is a big body with solid athleticism. He’s active and tough and is decently versatile with some tools—rebounding, protecting the rim, garnering steals, a bit of scoring ability—that if all put together could allow him to step into more of a starring role down the road. He’s an intriguing small-school prospect who could have Division II potential.
XaiV’ion Jackson, 5-9 sophomore point guard
Our No. 4 ranked prospect in 2018, Jackson is excellent defensively. At two steals a game, his bread and butter has been at that end of the court. He’s also a skilled player with good shooting mechanics. He didn’t make a huge impact on this particular game, but he’s a weapon for the Raptors, especially defensively.
Victor Garnes, 6-0 sophomore guard
Garnes is an athletic slashing second-year guard averaging 10.6 points per game. He only put in five against Boulder, but he’s been one of three players for Eaglecrest, along with Ross and Ozor, who has averaged double figures. He’s a gifted offensive player who, if he expands his game to more effective perimeter shooting, could really put up some big numbers, especially when he becomes an upperclassmen. He likely won’t be under-the-radar much longer.
Aaron Bokol, 5-11 freshman guard
The first-year only got into the game in the last minute when the outcome was well at hand, but he’ll be a player to watch in the coming years. He possesses a solid skill-set for a young guy.
Boulder Panthers
Landon Taliaferro, 6-4 senior guard
With one of the best pure shooting strokes in Colorado, Taliaferro has been fantastic from downtown this season while nailing 20-of-33 three-pointers, a 61 percent clip. Eaglecrest helped prevent him from going off in this one, but he was still the most effective Boulder player offensively while racking up 14 points. He spreads the floor, can create for himself and regularly gets good looks. He’s also made huge strides defensively. Taliaferro is receiving high Division II and low Division I interest and has an offer from Fort Lewis College, a D-II school in Durango.
Luke Wilson, 6-3 junior guard
Wilson is Boulder’s second best college prospect and second best player offensively. He struggled a bit against the Raptors going 1-of-8 for seven points, but he’s a lefty with an excellent jumper who has shot 41 percent from downtown and a ridiculous 93 percent at the charity stripe this season. He’s also not limited to just scoring, but can distribute well. Wilson has pretty good vision and helps make his teammates a little better. Right now, Wilson is an intriguing small-school prospect with upside.
Savoy Carl, 6-4 senior guard/forward
Carl had probably his best game of the season with seven points, eight rebounds and three steals against Eaglecrest. He also grabbed four offensive rebounds. Carl was aggressive attacking and was very active at both ends. He’s a pretty good starter for Boulder.
Bill Discipio, 6-1 senior guard
Discipio has a smooth shooting stroke. He can knock down some shots.
Jack Boyle, 6-5 senior forward
Boyle, the son of Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle, was quiet against Eaglecrest, but is an effective role player. He has decent length and skill.