Prep Hoops Colorado 5A Team Rankings: Week 5
There was plenty of shakeup in 5A this season as many of the top teams took to Las Vegas to take part in the Tarkanian Classic. Others stayed in Colorado to play in games that produced some exciting finishes.
When the dust settled, there was no change in the top spot, but there was movement elsewhere. Note: these rankings reflect games played through Saturday, Dec. 24.
Check it out:
1. George Washington (10-1; LW: 1)
The Patriots had a strong showing at the Tarkanian Classic, falling in the title game to Lone Peak, the top team in Utah, last Monday. G-Dub then rebounded to win the third-place game over American Fork (Utah), and Jervay Green was named to the all-tournament team.
2. Rock Canyon (9-1; LW: 2)
The Jaguars had Christmas week off to reflect on what has been a strong start to the season. Senior guard Colin Rardin (13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game) has been a great complement to junior star Sam Masten this season.
3. ThunderRidge (9-1; LW: 3)
The Grizzlies had a busy week, finishing off the back end of an impressive 3-1 run at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas and then beating No. 10 Cherokee Trail on the road 58-45. T-Ridge will next be in action a week from Tuesday at Overland.
4. Smoky Hill (7-2; LW: 5)
The Buffaloes went 2-0 last week with victories over Rocky Mountain and Vista PEAK. The Buffs displayed their depth in that stretch, earning both wins without top scorer Kenny Foster. The sophomore was held out after suffering a concussion the previous week.
5. Denver East (8-3; LW: 4)
Playing in one of the top divisions at the Tarkanian Classic, East went 1-3 in Las Vegas. It beat Windermere Prep out of Florida before losing 70-67 to Clark (Nev.) in its last game of the tournament. East next takes the floor on Jan. 5 at Chaparral and will finally have transfers Daylen Kountz and Jamison Washington in the lineup.
6. Eaglecrest (6-2; LW: 6)
The Raptors closed out their 3-1 trip to the Tarkanian Classic last week with victories over Timpview (Utah) and Harvard-Westlake (Calif.), pushing the defending state runner-up to 6-2. Eaglecrest begins Centennial League play at Overland on Jan. 4.
7. Grandview (9-0; LW: 7)
The Wolves won the title in their bracket at the Tarkanian Classic last week, edging in-state foe Fort Collins 50-48 in overtime. Grandview has shown a knack for closing tight games this season. The win over FoCo was already the third this season for the Wolves.
8. Cherry Creek (8-1; LW: unranked)
The Bruins enter the top 10 for the first time this season by virtue of their 3-0 run through their own Holiday Classic last week. Victories over Broomfield, Legend and Mountain View came by an average of 12.3 points. Cherry Creek has the athleticism to hang with anyone led by talented guards Dimitri Stanley (2018) and Jalen Meeks (2017).
9. Chatfield (6-1; LW: 9)
The Chargers finished the impressive pre-Christmas portion of their schedule by cruising to a 91-41 win over Gateway on Thursday. Chatfield will get an intriguing test a week from Tuesday at home against Doherty.
10. Doherty (7-2; LW: 8)
The Spartans started last week strong, defeating Regis Jesuit 59-56 as Brevin Brimble reached the 1,000-point mark in his career. But Doherty then suffered a heartbreaking 41-38 loss to Vista Ridge last Thursday on Wyoming commit Hunter Maldonado’s game-winning 3-pointer.