Prep Hoops Spring Kickoff Preview: 16U Division (Part I)
The time is almost here for the inaugural Prep Hoops Colorado Spring Kick Off, and with a field loaded with the best prospects in Colorado, there is no better way to tip off the spring AAU season.
We continue our division previews with a look at the 16U division, which will include virtually all of the best class of 2018 players in the state along with some younger talent.
Here is the first part of a team-by-team breakdown in the division:
Billups Elite: High-scoring guards from the Highlands Ranch area, Jeremy Randle and Kaison Hammonds, team up with 6-foot-7 John Harge, a talented big man with multiple D-I offers and a player returning from an injury that sidelined him during the high school season, to form a dangerous lineup. 6-foot-3 wing Courtney Dean has an athletic frame and upside. This is a really good group.
Colorado Chaos 16U Elite: Chaos director Dave Matthews thinks this team’s potential is pretty bright, and a major reason why is Tyson Gilbert. In Matthews’ opinion, Gilbert has grown into the state’s top point guard in 2018. Tylor Trinh and Xavier Johnson are tough and capable guards as well. In the paint, they have length and some versatile forwards. This is a strong team.
Colorado Chaos 2018: The 2018 class, for the Chaos, is deep as the second team isn’t a huge drop from the first team. Number of solid players like Garret Ripsam (Fossil Ridge) and a trio from Elizabeth in Gage Smith, Garrett Hawkins and Colin Steinke.
Colorado Connect: Connect has a really talented young point guard in 2019 Jodaun Dotson, a savvy player, and another DPL product in 2018 big man Tre Pierce. Pierce is a 6-foot-8 lanky rim protector. Darius Hornbuckle, an eighth grader playing way up, can flat-out score the ball. Dorrien Ezell (Overland) is a solid overall player.
Colorado Titans Gold: The Titans’ top 16U team boasts some explosive backcourt mates in McCallan Castles and Trent Dykema, two 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-5 entertaining Northern Colorado prospects. Castles blossomed in his second season for Berthoud while averaging 13 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.3 blocks while playing point and wing for his team. He could develop into a high Division II or Division I player down the road. Luke Johnson is a smooth guard from Longmont with potential as well. .
Colorado Titans Black: Ernesto Chavez is difficult to contain as his first step allows him to penetrate with ease. He’s impressive physically. Shane Tebo, Jack Baker, Aaron Sanders and Drew Cousin are all intriguing young players and this group will scrap and compete. This is another pretty deep group for the Titans program.
The Force: Luke Martin is a 6-foot-7 forward who can face-up and stretch the floor. He’s a top-25 prospect in his class. Cory McClellan is a capable guard and the team has plenty of other solid players.. The Colorado Springs-based program has been extremely successful and they’ll continue rolling with this group.