Prep Hoops Colorado Top 250 Expo Preview: 2018 Shooting & Combo Guards
The official start of the 2016-17 high school basketball season in Colorado is still more than two months away, but we can go ahead and call Saturday it’s unofficial start.
That’s because you won’t find a better event in the state to get you ready for the season than the Prep Hoops Colorado Top 250 Expo, which will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Gold Crown Fieldhouse in Lakewood.
There are more than 200 players who will be in attendance at the event, with great coaches putting them through skill work before having the chance to compete in games against their talented peers. There is simply no better stage for players to grow their game, face stern competition and get exposure in front of the Prep Hoops staff.
With that, we continue our preview of the Top 250 with the 2018 class, which through Sunday had 92 players registered. Below are some players who we expect to make noise at the event. If you’re not on the list, you’re still in the right place, with a chance to show us what you’ve got come Saturday!
Shooting & Combo Guards
Sam Bannec is a 6-3 guard with good length and athleticism. The Regis Jesuit backcourt starter is strong shooter, particularly from mid-range, and he rebounds his position well and defends multiple spots. He’s got Division I potential as he heads into a big junior season.
Tate Busse, a 6-2 guard, was a flamethrower for Colorado Chaos 17 Blue in the spring and summer. He can light up in a hurry. In one game we saw during the spring at the Prep Hoops Spring Kick Off back in April, he nailed four 3-pointers in the span of five possessions.
Sindou Cisse, a 6-1 guard who plays for the Far Northeast Warriors was hard to miss while playing the circuit with the Elevation Flyers. Really active defensively and can guard three positions consistently. Will be a highly intriguing player with some more growth.
Trent Dykema, is about as complete an all-around guard as you’ll find on the Front Range. He did a little bit of everything for Silver Creek last season and has only improved his game since. Great size that he uses to attack the basket and finish with strength. Coming a long way as a shooter, as well.
Xavier Johnson, all 6-2 and 185 pounds of him, is likely to bulldoze you on his way to the basket. Johnson is physically impressive with the way he attacks the hole, and his overall skill set, including his mid-range jumper, took leaps as well. You’ll never want for hustle with Johnson.
Matthew Lawrence is a good-sized, off-the-ball guard at 6-3 who can mix it up inside. He’s a strong shooter from 15-18 feet and catches it well.
Noah Lewis, the 6-1 guard out of Legend, is really strong catch-and-shoot player, particularly from the corner. Once he can develop a strong pump-fake-and-drive move off that shot, he should be able to find good ways to contribute for the Titans.
Mue Muwwakkil is a 6-0 guard for Smoky Hill who was one the biggest stock risers in his class during the grassroots season while playing for the Colorado Miners. His strength is using his quick burst to get to the basket, and he’s a strong finisher in transition. Mue has a lot of offensive talent, and he’s being challenged by Smoky coach Anthony Hardin to continue growing as a playmaker, using his talent to help others get looks.
Jahwan Phillips is a 6-2 guard who should be another big contributor in the Smoky Hill backcourt this season. His strength comes on the catch-and-shoot, and he can defend the perimeter well.
Cole Sienknecht is a 6-0 guard who had a big sophomore season for Manitou Springs. He averaged 11.1 points per game while helping to lead Manitou to the Class 3A state quarterfinals, where they fell just short to eventual champion Colorado Springs Christian.
Daijon Smith, a 6-0 guard we chronicled this summer, can score in bunches. He’s one of only two upperclassmen players with a 40-point game during this past grassroots season (Matteo Busnardo the other). Expect big things out of Smith as he prepares to take on a leadership role at Overland.
Tylor Trinh will be one of the best shooters on hand come Saturday. The 5-11 guard from Monarch needs just a sliver of space to shake a defender and pull up. He’s really deadly with that move from mid-range, and he’s nearly as efficient from behind the arc. Hard to key on him because he can break down defenses and make plays.