Wrap-up of Tuesday’s top games
Opening night in Colorado was full of big-time performances. Looking back on our first night’s predictions, Prep Hoops Colorado went 4-4 in our picks. Here’s a look at some of Tuesday’s top action. LEGEND AT DENVER EAST Our pick: Denver…
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Continue ReadingOpening night in Colorado was full of big-time performances. Looking back on our first night’s predictions, Prep Hoops Colorado went 4-4 in our picks. Here’s a look at some of Tuesday’s top action.
LEGEND AT DENVER EAST
Our pick: Denver East. Winner: Legend, 77-74.
You can find a full scouting report from Legend at Denver East here.
PUEBLO CENTRAL AT LEWIS-PALMER
Our pick: Pueblo Central. Winner: Lewis-Palmer, 55-54
We were discouraged to hear that Central star Kobi Betts suffered a season-ending knee injury just days before this game. He’s a determined young man and will come back strong. On the court, that leaves Northern Colorado signee Michael Ranson with plenty of responsibility, and he couldn’t have delivered any more on Tuesday, when he finished with 39 points. Lewis-Palmer senior Jonathan Scott had 24 points and hit the game-winning free throw with a second left.
ARVADA WEST AT SMOKY HILL
Our pick: Arvada West. Winner: Arvada West, 70-66
What a debut by the rookie. Smoky Hill freshman Kenny Foster went for 28 points and 11 rebounds in his high school debut against a veteran team ranked in our 5A top 10. Not a bad way to start. Dallas Walton, a 6-foot-11 forward back after missing most of the last two seasons due to injury, had a monstrous double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds, adding three assists, three steals and four blocks — stat-sheet stuffer. Will Wittman added 15 points and eight rebounds for A-West, while Luke Neff added 12 and four assists.
AURORA CENTRAL AT THOMAS JEFFERSON
Our pick: Aurora Central. Winner: Aurora Central, 72-59
How about that backcourt for the Trojans? LaDarius Thomas and Elijah Coleman combined for 49 points, 12 rebounds and six steals. That guard duo is among the very best in the state and is likely to cause headaches for opponents all season. Senior Usman Koromah added 12 big rebounds for Aurora Central, which dominated the glass. Thomas Jefferson’s 6-foot-1 senior guard Henry Cooper led the Spartans with 19 points.
ROCK CANYON AT EAGLECREST
Our pick: Rock Canyon. Winner: Eaglecrest, 69-42
After trailing by one point at the end of the first quarter, the Raptors were dominant in this one. Colbey Ross, a member of our preseason all-state team, led the way with 20 points, while sophomore victor Garnes had a perfect shooting night, going 5-of-5 from the field (including 1-of-1 from downtown) and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Xai’Vion Jackson had five steals for Eaglecrest to go along with 10 points.
BOULDER AT RALSTON VALLEY
Our pick: Ralston Valley. Winner: Boulder, 74-59
Boulder senior sharpshooter Landon Taliaferro knocked down three 3-pointers on his way to 22 points in the Panthers’ opening night victory.
SILVER CREEK AT MEAD
Our pick: Mead. Winner: Mead, 61-38
Michael Ward (18 points) and Walker Korrell (16) lead a dominant effort by the Mavericks, who were stifling defensively in not allowing a single Silver Creek player to reach double-digits in scoring.
SAND CREEK AT PALMER
Our pick: Sand Creek. Winner: Sand Creek, 68-63
This was a wild win in Colorado Springs, with the Scorpions overcoming heavy foul trouble to pull of the victory. Jordan Freeman led Sand Creek with 24 points, while top 2017 prospect D’Shawn Schwartz added 22. Isaiah Reese led Palmer with 19 points.