Event Preview: University of Denver Team Camp
The excitement of the July live evaluation periods are right around the corner, but there is still work to be done for high school teams as they squeeze the last of their time together in June. That continues on Friday…
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Continue ReadingThe excitement of the July live evaluation periods are right around the corner, but there is still work to be done for high school teams as they squeeze the last of their time together in June.
That continues on Friday with the tip off of the three-day University of Denver Team Camp. We have special memories of DU camp, as it was the first event we attended and reported from when we launched last year. Hard to believe it has been a year already since that thrilling title game in 2015 won by Rock Canyon over ThunderRidge
Those two teams won’t be back this year, but there are a number of talented squads that should make for some good competition beginning Friday at noon.
Let’s take a look at a few things to watch for:
Can Grandview get over the top?
We’re bullish on the Wolves chances to do some big things this season. Well-coached under Michael Rogers and featuring one of the state’s top inside-out duos in Gaige Prim and Lechaun Duhart, Grandview made noise at the C3 Challenge last week by advancing to the title game, where it ultimately fell short against a Valor Christian squad that is considered a strong contender for the 4A title this upcoming season. Ben Boone is another player to watch for this season, a 6-4 2018 guard who has a good frame and can shoot from the outside.
Underclassmen finding groove?
The growth of the grassroots circuit has given players a chance to compete in big environments before they hit the high school stage. So it’s no wonder more and more underclassmen are proving themselves right away. The team that might have the top group of underclassmen in the state? Chaparral certainly has a case, led by 2019 No. 3 Ronnie DeGray III and the No.5 player in that class, Bryce Matthews, Chap has a lot of young talent, which also includes promising 2020 point guard Kobe Sanders. The Wolverines took their lumps early last year, then really started to come on strong at the end of the season. Look for that to continue into this year. It will be interesting to see some of the young guns that schools we haven’t seen much yet this summer will be putting on the floor.
Title favorites?
We already mentioned Grandview as a team that will have a good shot of playing for a title in this tournament. So who are some other contenders? Doherty bounced back from a slow start at the second session of Metro State camp and closed strong there, then went 4-2 at the C3 Challenge, led by all-tournament selection Brevin Brimble, the 5-11 2017 point guard. The senior-laden Fort Collins squad could a big threat after also going 4-2 at C3. And don’t count out Arapahoe and 6-4 lefty 2017 shooting guard Kyle Lukasiewicz, who recently received interest from Arkansas, according to Billups Elite.