Season Preview: 5A Colorado Springs Metro
The CS Metro produced a state quarterfinal team last season in Doherty, and the Spartans should be stout again. Of course, they should be strongly challenged at the top by a Rampart team full of experience. Here’s our predicted order…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe CS Metro produced a state quarterfinal team last season in Doherty, and the Spartans should be stout again. Of course, they should be strongly challenged at the top by a Rampart team full of experience.
Here’s our predicted order of finish for the league:
1. Doherty (Last season: 22-4, 11-1 in league, first place)
Yes, the Spartans will lose the top scorer from a special team last season. Dalven Brushier, who led the league in scoring at 18.3 points per game, is now at Salt Lake Community College. But Doherty has tons of other experience. It begins with senior Brevin Brimble, who averaged 14.7 points and a league-leading 3.5 assists as a junior. Backcourt mates Emmanuel Burleson and Devin Jones add great depth in the backcourt. And well-coached Doherty is also stout up front with the likes of Joe Golden, Kayden Washington and Kyrele Benford, all upperclassmen. The Spartans have a great culture of confidence. This is a team that believes it can beat anyone.
2. Rampart (17-8, 9-3, second)
The Rams, too, are loaded with experienced players. Jackson Ehrlin is a versatile 6-8 forward who is coming off a very strong grassroots season. He can create mismatch problems with his ability to handle and shoot the ball. Cal Zeb Roberson is steady with the ball in the backcourt alongside point guard Romeo Maestas. Malik Salley, a 6-3 guard/forward, may be the most athletic player in the league. And 6-11 Dawson Carper has continued to make big strides. Rampart will be a tough out every night because of its versatility.
3. Pine Creek (7-16, 4-8, fifth)
Why the optimism the Eagles will move toward the top of the standings? Pine Creek has one of the league’s top senior duos in Quinten Gutierrez (14 points per game last year) and Jeremiah Pruitt (9.5). The two have developed strong chemistry, and Pine Creek has a number of other promising young players who could be ready to step up.
4. Palmer (14-11, 8-4, third)
Every player on Palmer’s varsity roster last season was a senior. That means there will be plenty of new faces for the Terrors in 2016-17. But Jimmy Grantz has proven himself during his lengthy tenure at Palmer as a coach who can bring players together quickly. Dominique Jackson, a 6-3 senior guard, was a player who impressed at our fall expo and could be a big contributor.
5. Liberty (12-13, 7-5, fourth)
The Lancers lose the league’s second-leading scorer from last season in T.J. Clark, who they’ll need others to step up a level. Keep an eye out for 6-4 junior Mozamil Doria. He averaged 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and one block per game as a sophomore, and he was one of the top standouts at the Prep Hoops Spring Kick Off back in April. He’s long, athletic and should be ready for an increased role.
6. Fountain Fort-Carson (6-16, 3-9, sixth)
The Trojans return their top two scorers from a season ago in seniors TJ Lucero (12.0 points per game) Djimon O’Neal (11.6). The group is also stocked with some young athletic guards who could shine with more experience.
7. Coronado (2-21, 0-13, seventh)
The Mustangs took their lumps last season, but don’t expect this team to be an easy out all year. They looked competitive during June team camps and have a stud junior in 6-3, 170-pound guard Ashton Rogers, who averaged 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds last season.