Top 4A Bounce-Back Candidates In 2016-17
With the high school basketball season only a couple months away, optimism is all around for programs with high expectations. That includes a number of teams whose seasons didn’t go the way as planned last year. With that, let’s take…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school basketball season only a couple months away, optimism is all around for programs with high expectations.
That includes a number of teams whose seasons didn’t go the way as planned last year. With that, let’s take a look at three of biggest bounce-back candidates in 4A heading into a new season, teams that have reason to believe they will have big turnarounds:
Northridge
Last season: 10-13, missed playoffs
What happened: The Grizzlies were simply inexperienced. Northridge had only two seniors last season, and neither were major contributors.
Why there’s optimism: The now-senior duo of Oscar Maldonado and Avery Palma may be the best in the Northern League. Maldonado, a 6-3 guard, averaged 14.5 points per game last season and his coming off a big grassroots season with the Colorado Titans. Palma, a 5-9 guard, averaged 11.3 points per game. These two will lead the way, but they will get good help from senior Devin Smith (6.7 ppg) and junior Kaylor Werner (4.7 ppg).
Outlook: Northridge should compete for one of the top three spots in the Northern and plunge into the playoffs.
Standley Lake
Last season: 7-16, missed playoffs
What happened: The mostly young roster had to learn how to play in close games. The Gators lost five league games by 12 points or fewer.
Why there’s optimism: The Gators have a strong centerpiece in big man Garrett Martin, who averaged 15 points and seven rebounds per game as a sophomore last year. With more experience, Martin should be an even bigger threat this year. Standley Lake also returns its second-leading scorer in guard Terrell Starks, who averaged nine points per game last season.
Outlook: The Gators play in arguably the toughest league in Class 4A, but the experience they had playing in close games should pay dividends. Look for Lake to compete for a playoff spot.
Thomas Jefferson
Last season: 10-14, lost to Windsor in first round of playoffs
What happened: The Spartans lost two one-possession games to rival Denver South. Turn those around, and TJ is looking at a .500 season. The talent was there for TJ, the young squad just had to learn to close.
Why there’s optimism: The talent. The Spartans will have an upperclassmen trio of senior Ravel Moody and juniors Xavier Cooper and Breon Harper. That group is entering its third season playing together and should have the chemistry necessary to compete in the challenging 5A/4A Denver Prep League. Plus, the Spartans have a talented group of young players who should complement the trio.
Outlook: The Spartans will push above .500 and should have a good chance to advance to the second week of the playoffs.