Season Preview: 5A Southwestern League
The largest league on the Western Slope is always full of top-notch competition. This season should be no different. The league has dropped from six to five teams, with Montezuma-Cortez making an exit. We take a look at how the…
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Continue ReadingThe largest league on the Western Slope is always full of top-notch competition. This season should be no different. The league has dropped from six to five teams, with Montezuma-Cortez making an exit.
We take a look at how the small but competitive league could play out this season.
1. Fruita Monument (Last season: 13-11, 8-2 in Southwestern, tied for first)
The Wildcats lose the league’s best player in Javen Gumber, who averaged nearly 18 points and 12 rebounds per game last season and is now at Air Force. But Fruita still has good pieces, having added one of 3A’s top players in 5-11 guard Gunner Rigsby, a former Grand Valley standout. Rigsby is a talented player who should make an immediate impact. Junior Trey Morrill, a 6-6 forward, should be able to lessen some of the damage of Gumber’s departure after averaging 8.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Senior Jake Brizzolara returns after averaging 10.3 points per game last season.
2. Grand Junction Central (17-7, 6-4, tied for third)
The Warriors have a good deal returning this season. That includes talented guard Kyle Blair, a 6-1 senior who averaged 12.2 points per game this season and made big strides this summer while playing against strong statewide competition with Colorado Chaos. Koby Steves, a 5-9 guard, averaged 8.7 points per game as a junior last season.
3. Grand Junction (17-7, 8-2, tied for first)
The Tigers lose a good deal from a team that stormed into the 5A playoffs last season before falling to Denver East. But Grand Junction has established a strong system built on defensive pressure and offensive movement that should help the team stay consistent. Andrew Hansen, a 6-2 guard who averaged 4.3 points, 2.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game on a senior laden team last season, is among the leading returners.
4. Durango (17-8, 6-4, tied for third)
Like Grand Junction, Durango must replace a good deal of last season’s senior-heavy team. The good news is that the Demons had a very balanced scoring attack last season, so they don’t have to rely on any one player. One player to watch: 5-10 guard Kyle Kirkpatrick, who averaged 4.5 points as a junior last year.
5. Montrose (4-17, 1-9, tied for fifth)
After a number of close losses, particularly late in the season, the Indians should have the experience to provide a stiffer challenge for league foes.
Preseason Player of the Year
Kyle Blair, 6-1 senior guard, Grand Junction Central
All-Southwestern Team
Kyle Blair, 6-1 senior guard, Grand Junction Central
Gunner Rigsby, 5-11 senior guard, Fruita Monument
Jake Brizzolara, 5-9 senior guard, Fruita Monument
Koby Steves, 5-9 senior guard, Grand Junction Central
Trey Morrill, 6-6 junior forward, Fruita Monument