Grassroots Preview: Colorado Titans
Editor’s note: From now through mid-April, we will be previewing Colorado’s grassroots programs, taking a close look at their 15U through 17U teams. We will first be previewing a club’s top teams in those given age groups and will then…
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Continue ReadingEditor’s note: From now through mid-April, we will be previewing Colorado’s grassroots programs, taking a close look at their 15U through 17U teams. We will first be previewing a club’s top teams in those given age groups and will then circle back to their other teams. Today: The Colorado Titans.
As the Colorado Titans enter their 11th season, their growing reputation as one of the state’s premier programs has created a strong interest among players in joining a club that prides itself on playing a tough-nosed style while focusing on individual growth within strong team concepts.
That interest turned into the Titans biggest pool of players to try out yet this month, and it has yielded an influx of new additions to the pipeline that club director Rick Jimenez is excited about.
“We’re thrilled to start a new year,” he said. “When we end in July, I can’t wait to get going again.”
Jimenez prides his program on having true open tryouts, and not determining teams until he and his coaches have seen them compete in a structured environment. With more than 200 players trying out across all age groups this year, that provided a stiff challenge, but it’s one Jimenez and his staff met head on. With so much “new blood” in the gym, the competition for spots and the taking-nothing-for-granted approach of players made for an intense, productive environment, Jimenez said.
“We want to see how they react to different situations as they happen,” he said. “That’s part of basketball. So we were just ready to go, and that’s been the theme of our program. Tryouts were great.”
Below is a closer look at the Titans program from 15U to 17U heading into the upcoming spring season
17U Gold Coach: Rick Jimenez
Assistant Coach: Mark Wrapp
17U Gold Roster
Peter Chopra, 6-4 forward, Boulder
Joe Golter, 6-1 guard, Holy Family
Sam Grad, 6-7 forward, Fairview
Oscar Maldonado, 6-3 guard, Northridge
Cameron McCurry, 6-8 forward, Erie
Iseri Palacio, 5-10 guard, Fort Collins
Jacob Pfaffinger, 6-2 guard, Fort Collins
Brian Read, 6-6 forward, Fort Collins
Michael Ward, 6-1 guard, Mead
Luke Wilson, 6-2 guard, Boulder
Notes: Perhaps the best junior class on in the Front Range League this season belonged to Fort Collins, and three of those players — Iseri Palacio, Jacob Pfaffinger and Brian Read — are joining the top Titans 17U program. Their chemistry could be a big boon to a unit that also added athletic Boulder forward Peter Chopra and Northridge guard Oscar Maldonado. The unit looks to have great versatility, with accomplished scorers who come by their production in different ways.
Jimenez concedes that it could take some time for some continuity to form with new pieces. Last season’s 17U team, led by Division I athletes Justinian Jessup, Frank Ryder and Chris Helbig (football), had years of experience within the club. “That’s going to be the tough part to replace,” Jimenez said. Without a 6-11 Ryder, this group won’t be the biggest to walk into gyms (though 6-7 Sam Grad and 6-8 Cameron McCurry could be poised to make big strides), but strong help defensive principles will help the Titans make up for any size deficiencies they encounter on the trail.
“We don’t have a Justinian or a Chris or a Frank, but we’ve got some really solid basketball players,” said Jimenez, who added that Chopra and Pfaffinger are “sleepers to watch for early on.”
Jimenez likes the early energy of his group, the effort in early practices and the potential versatility his team could display. Now, it’s about seeing how they all come together.
16U Gold Coach: Christian Scott
Assistant Coach: Jemel Oldham
16U Roster
McCallan Castles, 6-4 wing, Berthod
Caden Dion, guard, Longmont
Trent Dykema, 6-4 guard/forward, Silver Creek
Michael Georgiton, 6-4 guard/forward, Broomfield
Dilan Gonzalez
Dylan Hunter, 6-3 guard, Holy Family
Keegan Johnson, Monarch
Luke Johnson, 6-0 guard, Longmont
Taye Jones
Davis Kang, 5-10 guard, Boulder
Notes: Eight out of the 10 players on the 16U Gold roster are new to the Titans program, with Keegan Johnson and Taye Jones returning from last year’s 15U squad. Perhaps the biggest addition is McCallan Castles, who comes over from the Longmont Rush. The talented 6-4 wing averaged 13 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game for Berthoud last year, versatility that should allow him to play in multiple spots. “He’s got a lot to his game, obviously,” Jimenez said. “And he’s a great team player.”
Trent Dykema had a strong sophomore season and also joins the Titans from the Rush. Jimenez said Dykema is dealing with some injuries but they hope to have him fully healthy “sooner rather than later.”
“That groups just going to be real versatile,” Jimenez said. “Christian will get the most out of those guys this year, which is going to be great. … Now, it’s just getting them to gel together. They’re going to be a good little ball club.”
15U Gold Coach: Mike Ward
Assistant Coach: Bill Sullivan
15U Gold Roster
Tanner Baird
Mario Castillon
Steven Croell
Miller Davison
Mark Dolan
Matt Foster
Kyle Helbig
Alex Lawrence
Ashton Nichols
Dillon O’Brien
Notes: This squad will be heavily boosted by Helbig and Baird, who both played as freshman this season for a Holy Family varsity team that won a share of the Tri-Valley League. Jimenez said Helbig “is at another gear right now” and Baird boasts one of the best pull-up jump shots in the club’s pipeline. Mark Dolan and Fairview and Steven Croell of Broomfield add to an impressive core. Jimenez likes the shooting ability of Alex Lawrence, the talent of Mario Castillon and the potential of Dillon O’Brien, who Jimenez believes is in for a big growth spurt. Miller Davison of Boulder is the tallest of the bunch at 6-6 and while still a little raw showed some impressive ability last September at our combine.
“Now we’ve just got to keep this pieces in place and see what comes along the next couple years,” Jimenez said.