5A Playoff Preview: Guy Gibbs Region
It’s that time of year again! The Colorado high school playoffs begin Wednesday, with 48 teams in each of the state’s largest classifications beginning fresh with their eyes on a state championship run. Through the next few days, we’ll preview…
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Continue ReadingIt’s that time of year again! The Colorado high school playoffs begin Wednesday, with 48 teams in each of the state’s largest classifications beginning fresh with their eyes on a state championship run.
Through the next few days, we’ll preview the 4A and 5A state playoffs, region by region, with storylines to watch, key matchups and predictions.
Let’s get started:
5A Guy Gibbs Region
Byes (with overall seeds in parentheses)
George Washington (3)
Doherty (6)
Fort Collins (11)
Chaparral (14)
What To Know: George Washington is one of only three teams in the tournament — along with ThunderRidge and Chatfield — to have only one loss against an in-state team. The Patriots appear primed to make a deep run after winning its third straight Denver Public League title, highlighted by Saturday’s instant classic 99-96 overtime victory over Denver East. Chaparral, a young team making strides each week, and tough and experienced Doherty offer tough potential hurdles for George Washington. And Fort Collins, entering playoffs off an impressive undefeated run through the Front Range League, is eager to prove it deserves respect.
First Round
No. 35 Fruita Monument (10-13) at No. 30 Ralston Valley (13-10), Wednesday, 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Ralston Valley has impressive wins over Boulder and Lakewood, a team that earned a first-round buy. Jerrod Parker, a 6-2 senior, leads a balanced group that shares the basketball and plays with good energy on the defensive end of the floor. The Wildcats lost four of their final five regular-season games — including a double-overtime loss to Grand Junction in the finale — but they can be stout defensively, averaging nine steals and four blocks per game.
Matchup To Watch: Fruita Monument senior Gunner Rigsby vs. Ralston Valley senior Jerrod Parker. Rigsby, a 5-11 guard, has experience in big-time playoff games after leading Grand Valley to the Elite Eight in the 3A Tournament last season. He transferred to the 5A level this season and is averaging a team-leading 13.7 points per game. Parker does a little bit of everything for the Mustangs. He averages 10.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists and, most importantly, provides strong on-court leadership.
Moving On: The Mustangs will defend their home court and earn a matchup with George Washington in the second round.
No. 46 Arvada West (8-15) at No. 19 Regis Jesuit (12-11), Wednesday, 6 p.m.
The Scoop: Perennial power Regis Jesuit has experienced some growing pains this season as it has relied on a younger-than-usual lineup, but the Raiders appear to be finding their stride at the right time. Arvada West squeezed into one of the final playoff spots despite a six-game losing streak. The Wildcats will try to regain the form it had while winning three of four games — with the loss to Ralston Valley 52-48 — in late January.
Matchup To Watch: Arvada West senior Lucas Maly vs. Regis Jesuit backcourt. Maly is the engine of the A-West attack. The 5-11 senior averages 17.9 points, has hit 55 3-pointers and is a threat to heat up in a hurry. Luckily for the Raiders, they have a host of talented guards in sophomore Jamil Safieddine, juniors Sam Bannec and Elijah Martinez and senior Connor Hobbs who will do their best to neutralize Maly’s effectiveness.
Moving On: Regis Jesuit will advance to meet Continental League rival Chaparral, trying to avenge a loss to the Wolverines last week.
No. 38 Pine Creek (11-12) at No. 27 Arapahoe (9-14), Wednesday, TBA
The Scoop: Pine Creek finished in a tie for fourth in the seven-team 5A Colorado Springs Metro League at 5-7. The Eagles love to attack from the outside. Their 234 made 3-point field goals are 60th most in the entire country, according to MaxPreps statistics. Arapahoe can heat up in a hurry itself from long range, and it can also defend well when in engaged — such as it did in a victory earlier this season over No. 4 overall seed Grandview. This game could be decided beyond the perimeter.
Matchup To Watch: Pine Creek senior Quentin Guiterrez vs. Arapahoe senior Kyle Lukasiewicz. Quiterrez, a 6-0 guard, is the catalyst of Pine Creek’s effective 3-point attack. He has nailed 83 trifectas this season and shoots 43 percent from beyond the arc. The 6-3 Lukasiewicz has largely improved his own long-range stroke over the past year, but it’s ability to use his length and attack that gives him a chance to keep the Warriors afloat in many games.
Moving On: The tough tests Arapahoe faced in the Centennial League this season should pay dividends now that the playoffs have arrived. The Warriors will advance to play Doherty in a second-round matchup Saturday.
No. 43 Broomfield (10-13) at No. 22 Grand Junction (16-7), Wednesday, 6 p.m.
The Scoop: Is this the year a team from the Western Slope makes a deep run. GJ Central, the 5A/4A Southwestern co-champs, could have a shot. The Warriors played a tough schedule, part of the reason they earned a seed in the top half of the tournament. The team’s top five scorers are all seniors. Broomfield finished 5-7 in the Front Range League but easily could have had that record reversed or better given the amount of down-to-the-wire games it has played in. When its balanced lineup is clicking, the Eagles have inside-outside capability that can help them cause problems.
Matchup To Watch: Broomfield junior Devin Martinez vs. GJ Central senior Hunter Kelchner. Martinez is an athletic 6-6 forward who has a versatile game and contributes in multiple ways. He runs the floor well and has a strong motor. If he’s active and finding success around the rim, he could help the Eagles pull an upset. Kelchner, who averages about 10 points and five rebounds per game, is a similar presence for GJ Central.
Moving On: GJ Central rides its home court and senior experience to a first-round win a matchup Saturday with Front Range League champ Fort Collins.