PHC Preseason Player of the Year Candidate: Sam Masten (2018)
With the countdown to the start of the 2016-17 season ticking down quickly, we are hitting the ground running with our season preview content. Among the content we’ll providing periodically until the start of the season is a look at…
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Continue ReadingWith the countdown to the start of the 2016-17 season ticking down quickly, we are hitting the ground running with our season preview content.
Among the content we’ll providing periodically until the start of the season is a look at 20 candidates for the Prep Hoops Colorado Player of the Year Award. Our inaugural award last season went to Overland’s De’Ron Davis.
So who is today’s candidate?
Sam Masten
When Masten was a freshman at Rock Canyon two years ago, he wasted no time making an impact as a big-time scorer who could create shots and get to the basket.
Jaguars coach Kent Grams was impressed by Masten’s debut season and issued him a challenge for his sophomore season: Use your obvious talent to help make things easier for your teammates.
Watching Masten during a brilliant sophomore season, it was clear he had taken that mission head on. Even if he wasn’t directly assisting on a play, Masten’s ability to constantly work off the ball, in transition and on the defensive end, not only set a tone for teammates, it made their jobs tangibly easier.
And when the Jaguars had to have a basket, they knew where to turn. Masten averaged 18 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
So the big question is, what’s in store for Masten’s junior season. After watching him work all spring and summer — leading the Colorado Hawks 16U squad to a memorable and successful season — there’s no doubt the 6-3 guard has worked to add even more to his game. Rock Canyon, which finished a game shy of the Continental League title last season, should be gunning for the crown this season, and a deep run in the tournament is also in sight.
Masten, who has continued to collect new Division I attention in recent weeks, will be at the center of everything, no doubt, as he has through his first two seasons.