Season Preview: 5A/4A East Metro
Rangeview ran roughshod over the East Metro Athletic Conference last season on the way to a Final Four appearance. The Raiders lost a good deal of senior talent from that team, and this week they learned the troubling news of…
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Continue ReadingRangeview ran roughshod over the East Metro Athletic Conference last season on the way to a Final Four appearance.
The Raiders lost a good deal of senior talent from that team, and this week they learned the troubling news of a major knee injury that will sideline top player Elijah Blake, a University of Denver signee, for the season.
Does Rangeview still have enough to repeat as league champs? Or will a new champ emerge?
Here’s our outlook:
1. Rangeview
The loss of Blake is no doubt a big blow. We feel for the young point guard who had worked so hard to put himself in a position to realize his dream of playing Division I basketball. We send our thoughts to Blake, his family and his team, and we’re sure he’ll bounce back. In the meantime, Rangeview must regroup. Their athleticism should still be enough to carry them to the league title, even if the road may now be bumpier. Look for 6-2 senior guard Matthew Johnson to have a breakout season. Ryan Ongala, a 6-6 junior forward, gives Rangeview versatile size that is hard to find in the league. And coach Shawn Palmer has a handful of young players coming up the pipeline who could make a big impact.
2. Vista PEAK
The Bison are joining the league after winning the 4A Colorado 7 last season. PEAK is somewhat undersized, but it is teeming with talent at the guard position. It starts with Te’Rae Johnson, the 6-0 guard who averaged 14 points per game as a sophomore. After a summer of improvement with Colorado Premier, we’d look for him to take off as a junior. Tre Early, a tough-as-nails 6-0 senior guard, averaged 12 points and 4.7 rebounds last season. Few teams in the league are returning such production. And PEAK was 19-6 last season.
3. Prairie View
With Blake injured, Prairie View’s Trey Marble may be the top returning player in the league this season. All the 5-11 guard did as a junior was average 18.6 points, 4.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. If the Thunderhawks can solidify some pieces around Marble, they could pose a real threat each night.
4. Aurora Central
Longtime coach Ian Calvert left the program, opening the door for Robert Harrison to take over. He’ll inherit a team that lost the dynamic duo of guards Elijah Coleman and Ladarius Thomas, but AC always manages to produce notable talent. Look for Larry Thomas, a 6-0 senior, to step up and make an impact.
5. Brighton
Senior guard Braden Hancock is back to lead the Bulldogs after averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game while helping Brighton to a winning record last season. Senior forward Trevor Kullberg (6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds) will be another key player.
6. Westminster
Freddy Gomez will serve as the centerpiece after the 6-2 forward averaged 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds during his sophomore season with the Wolves, who went 12-12 and finished in a tie for third in the EMAC with a 6-3 league record last season.
7. Hinkley
DeWayne Carter, a 6-0 junior, is a player who has constantly stood out this offseason with his toughness and talent scoring the basketball. If the Thunderbirds can follow Carter’s lead this season, they should be able to give the league problems.
8. Gateway
The Olympians are tasked with replacing their top three scorers from a season ago, but they should be more comfortable with what to expect in their second season under coach Jason Dixon.
9. Thornton
Ricky Griffin, a 6-4 forward who averaged 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds as a junior, will be looked upon as a leader for a Trojans team that is aiming to bounce back from a 3-20 season.
10. Northglenn
Look for a big season out of 6-1 guard Kevin Jimenez, who averaged 13.1 points and a team-leading 2.3 assists as a sophomore last season. Jimenez got big-time AAU experience for the first time with Colorado Chaos this offseason, which should pay big dividends as he increases his leadership role with the Norsemen.
11. Adams City
The Eagles must replace one of the league’s top scorers in Jirni Mitchell. Marquis Perez, a 6-2 senior, could be a player to watch.