League Lookout: Class 5A/4A Continental
Welcome to League Lookout! Our new series will take a weekly tour through leagues across Colorado, providing updates and analysis on the teams and players that are making waves. Up first: Continental. Heading into the season, we viewed the Continental…
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Continue ReadingWelcome to League Lookout! Our new series will take a weekly tour through leagues across Colorado, providing updates and analysis on the teams and players that are making waves. Up first: Continental.
Heading into the season, we viewed the Continental League as one of the state’s very toughest circuits. And after five weeks, little has happened to change that sentiment.
If anything, the league appears more stacked now than it did before the season began, with multiple teams appearing capable of running deep into the playoffs. Regis Jesuit is undefeated after knocking off nationally ranked Overland. Rock Canyon has won 11 of 12 games since an opening night loss to Eaglecrest. Legend has found a groove after some early struggles. And ThunderRidge, though it has suffered back-to-back losses to Denver East and Rangeview, has shown it has the ability to hang with anybody when its cylinders are clicking.
But that’s just the top of the league. Ponderosa (6-4) has shown great improvement under first-year coach Steve Ketchum, led by senior Logan Eatherton (12.4 points per game). Highlands Ranch, playing under a new coach of their own in Mike Gibbs, has begun to click and are coming off an impressive victory over defending JeffCo League champ Dakota Ridge. They are led by the solid duo of senior Jack Fiddler and sophomore point guard Tyson Gilbert. Add teams like Mountain Vista (6-3) and improved Douglas County (4-4), and the league offers few, if any, easy nights.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the league’s storylines as head-to-head play begins to ramp up.
The rise of Regis Jesuit
Death. Taxes. Ken Shaw. Three certainties you can rely on in life.
Shaw earned his 700th win this week in highly impressive fashion, toppling state power Overland and its Indiana-bound big man De’Ron Davis.
We should know by now that roster turnovers does not mean a rebuilding year for Shaw, who has turned Regis into a title contender with players who were relatively unknown heading into the season.
Geoff Kelly, one of the state’s top unsigned seniors, played a lot as a junior and was expected to make a big impact this season. But the Raiders have also received solid contributions from guys like seniors Michael Wambsganss (11.5 points per game), Dante Drennan (8.0) and Marc Reininger, who have bided their time and are now excelling. This team is fundamentally sound, strong, tough and experienced. Throw in the state’s top coach and the Raiders are a dangerous squad.
Masten’s maturity
With two experienced and talented seniors on the roster last season, Rock Canyon’s Sam Masten picked his spots as a freshman. Now, he’s grabbing the Jaguars by the reins and leading them like a veteran.
Few in the state work harder than Masten, who has so many ways to beat you, especially as he has grown a perimeter jumper into an even bigger weapon.
His ability to lead helps the rest of the Jaguars’ experienced lineup – players like Payton Berman, Isaac Hirsch and Colin Rardin – do their jobs.
Legend learning
Kevin Boley told us before the season started that he had no doubt this was his most talented team yet at the school. So the determining factor of just how far these Titans could go, he said, would be whether they could respond to adversity and learn to bring it every night regardless of circumstances.
The Titans seem to be getting that message. Woken up by back-to-back losses to Doherty and Lakewood, Legend has reeled off four straight victories.
I’ve been impressed with the growth and poise of Riley Matticks, whose ability to penetrate, even if it’s not all the way to the rim, is opening up space for a team that loves to knock down 3-point shots. They will need that continued, steady play from the point guard position in order to reach their lofty goals.
Under-the-radar risers
Here’s some players who weren’t getting a lot of attention entering the season who have impressed so far.
Derek Hansen, 6-0 junior guard, Ponderosa
Averaging 12 points per game, Hansen has excelled under Ketchum, who emphasizes ball movement and shot selection. Hansen has made 23 3-pointers in nine games and is shooting 49 percent from beyond the arc.
Michael Wambsganns, 6-2 senior guard, Regis Jesuit
In his first year on the varsity squad, Wambsganns has made a major impact. He’s averaging 11.5 points per game and is a 92 percent free-throw shooter. He’s also averaging 1.4 steals per game and has been a solid perimeter defender.
Walker Andrew, 6-4 junior guard, Heritage
Andrew, with good size and length for the position, has averaged 10.2 points per game, establishing himself as a solid scoring threat for the Eagles to complement talented senior Jack Peck.
Davon Walker, 5-7 freshman point guard, Douglas County
While undersized, not unlike his coach Earl Boykins, Walker has been solid and poised while running the show for a Huskies team that has made great strides over its performance last season.
Connor Staib, 6-3 sophomore guard/forward, Mountain Vista
A solid and versatile young player who has given the Eagles another scoring outside of Jake Belknapp and Isaac Essien, averaging more than 10 points per game.