Colorado’s Postseason Stock Risers, Part II
We continue our look at players who the state playoffs who have upped their stock, examining today the 5A ranks. You can read our breakdown of the biggest stock risers in the 4A playoffs here. Without further ado, here are…
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Continue ReadingWe continue our look at players who the state playoffs who have upped their stock, examining today the 5A ranks.
You can read our breakdown of the biggest stock risers in the 4A playoffs here.
Without further ado, here are the rising players in Colorado’s largest classification.
Will Halfon, 6-1 senior guard, Cherry Creek
Halfon authored the best performance of these playoffs during an overtime loss to Chatfield in the quarterfinals Saturday. He scored 38 points and hit six 3-pointers. Halfon had a fantastic senior year, averaging better than 20 points per game. He can get his shot off in a hurry, and while not overly athletic, he has a great IQ for the game that helps him get wherever he needs to be on the floor. Halfon told us last month he has a chance to be a preferred walk-on at Drake University in Iowa, but he was still open to other options.
David Thornton, 6-5 senior forward, Cherokee Trail
It may be hard to think of Thornton as a stock riser given that he entered the playoffs already regarded as one of the state’s top handful of players, but he was simply excellent during the Cougars’ three-game postseason run. He averaged 22 points while shooting an eye-popping 76 percent (26-of-34) from the field. Thornton led the state in field-goal percentage this season because he attacks with strength and puts himself in position for high-percentage looks at the basket. He showed impressive ability during the postseason to drive baseline and work advantageous angles to keep defenders off him. Thornton was only narrowly left off our final list of Mr. Colorado Basketball candidates. He is a strong contender for Most Improved Player.
Ikenna Ozor, 6-3 junior forward, Eaglecrest
Colbey Ross has deservedly received a lot of attention for leading the Raptors to the Final Four, but he has not done it alone. Ozor has played much larger than his 6-3 frame, helping Eaglecrest thrive despite not having a traditional post player. He was huge in the Raptor’s victory over Regis Jesuit in the quarterfinals Saturday, pouring in a season-high 22 points.
Tyler McFarland, 6-3 senior guard, Dakota Ridge
The strong left-hander was one of the JeffCo League’s most consistent players all season, and he showed up big in the playoffs. He hit a huge 3-pointer and scored 15 points to help Dakota Ridge survive a second-round matchup against Mountain Vista. And he followed it up with 17 points in a narrow loss to to Regis Jesuit in the Sweet 16, scoring 17 points and hitting 3-of-6 3-pointers. McFarland is a strong shooter who can also use his 185-pound frame to get to basket and score at the rim. He is still exploring options, and spending a year at a prep school is an option he has on the table.
Trey Boeyink, 5-10 senior guard, Mountain Vista
Boeyink played only 14 games with Mountain Vista after transferring from Mullen following his junior year, but he made a major mark in a short time. In his second game with the Golden Eagles he scored 37 points to set the single-game school record, and coach Bob Wood said he had no doubt Boeyink would have owned every school career record had he played at Vista all four years. The reason is the spring, hot-shooting guard can score in bunches. We saw it during a narrow second-round loss to Dakota Ridge, when he put the Golden Eagles on his back and nearly rallied them all the way back from an 18-point deficit in the second half. Boeyink, who is unsigned, is fantastic at pulling up in transition, and he can hit it from range while coming off screens or pulling up. And though he is undersized, his quickness and athleticism helps him get to the basket and finish.
Padiet Wang, 6-5 senior guard/forward, Overland
Wang’s addition to the Trailblazers can’t be overstated. His versatility and ability to play and defend just about every position on the court has been a major factor in Overland finding its dominant stride during the second half of the season. An unsigned senior who spent the first half of the season at a school in Alaska, Wang has great range and athleticism and the experience (this will be his third final four with the Trailblazers). He’s averaged 10 points per game during Overland’s postseason run and has been equally valuable on the defensive end.
Cameron Pearson, 6-0 senior guard, Chatfield
When we spoke to Pearson this summer, he said his goal for his senior season was to grow as a leader. He’s certainly done that, evidenced by the way he put the Chargers on his back Saturday in their quarterfinal overtime victory over Cherry Creek. Pearson scored 18 points, with seemingly every basket coming when Chatfield needed them most. The lefty is a strong outside shooter and he’s very crafty at getting to the basket and drawing contact. He’s active defensively and rebounds well at his position. Pearson is headed on a two-year Mormon mission once his high school career is over, but he will be a player for small colleges to keep an eye on when he returns.
Will Wittman, 6-3 senior guard/forward, Arvada West
The athletic and versatile senior had 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Wildcats fell agonizingly close to upsetting Rangeview in the Sweet 16. Wittman, who is still unsigned, averaged 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game this season.