Friday Five: Previewing Key Matchups In Colorado
As we keep closer and closer to the revealing of the state tournament brackets in a little more than two weeks, games are taking on more and more significance as teams elbow for league standing and playoff positioning. There are…
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Continue ReadingAs we keep closer and closer to the revealing of the state tournament brackets in a little more than two weeks, games are taking on more and more significance as teams elbow for league standing and playoff positioning.
There are a number of big games on tap Friday with teams trying to take the next step forward. Here’s a closer look at five big ones:
Broomfield at Fort Collins, 6:30 p.m.
The Skinny: As great as Fort Collins has been this season, it’s Front Range League lead heading into Friday’s action is just one over Monarch. That makes every game huge down the stretch, and the Lambkins, coming off a big victory over Fossil Ridge, are playing a Broomfield team that has brought nearly every one of its league games down to the wire. Things should be jumping at Fort Collins for this big game.
Matchup To Watch: Fort Collins senior Iseri Palacio vs. Broomfield senior Sam Foster. The two guards make their teams go. Foster is coming off an impressive 26-point performance in a 79-70 overtime loss to Loveland on Tuesday. He’s played well coming off a big summer with the Colorado Titans. Palacio has been as effective as just about any point guard in his class this season. He has incredible vision and finds multiple ways to affect the game.
Prediction: Fort Collins
Chaparral at Rock Canyon, 7 p.m.
The Skinny: We’ll be on hand for this major Continental League matchup. Rock Canyon, the No. 4 team in the Prep Hoops Colorado 5A Team Rankings, is 5-0 in league play but is tied with No. 1 ThunderRidge. Simply put, the Jaguars know they can’t afford to lose ground with a matchup with the Grizzlies looming Feb. 17. Chaparral, meanwhile, which features a young but highly talented lineup, has won four of its last five games and is only one game back in the Continental at 4-1.
Matchup To Watch: Chaparral freshman Kobe Sanders (pictured above) vs. Rock Canyon junior Tyson Gilbert. Sanders has been among the most impressive first-year players at the 5A level. He’s averaging nearly nine points and three assists per game and has been a dependable facilitator, setting up the talented sophomore trio of Joseph Dalton, Ronnie DeGray and Bryce Matthews. Gilbert, meanwhile, has been on fire since becoming eligible in early January and has established himself as simply one of Colorado’s top high school point guards. This matchup could go a long way in determining the outcome.
Prediction: Rock Canyon
Denver East at Lincoln, 7 p.m.
The Skinny: This is always a big-time matchup in the Denver Public League, and this year should be no different. The Lancers, coming off a thrilling 56-55 win over Thomas Jefferson earlier this week, are only one game back in the loss column of East and George Washington in the DPL. The Angels are trying to take another step forward as they continue to work out the kinks of injecting transfers Daylen Kountz and Jamison Washington into the lineup.
Matchup To Watch: Denver East senior Jamison Washington vs. Lincoln freshman Ty Foster. Washington was playing for Lincoln this time last year, and there can always be a lot of emotion attached to homecoming games. Foster will keep him busy, though. The freshman for the Lancers has been impressive this season, averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 assists per game.
Prediction: Denver East
Resurrection Christian at Sterling, 7 p.m.
The Skinny: The matchup of the night is going down in 3A. Resurrection Christian puts its perfect 15-0 record on the line against a 13-2 Sterling team that has looked every bit like one of the classification’s top teams all season long. A victory would go a long way toward improving postseason positioning for both teams.
Matchup To Watch: RC senior Tanner Ervin vs. Sterling defense. Ervin told us this summer that he was very much looking forward to moving from 2A to 3A because of the larger chance he’d have to show people what he could do. Ervin has certainly made his mark, averaging 28 points per game, second most in the state. How Sterling defends the sharpshooter will be key to determining its success.
Prediction: Sterling
Regis Jesuit at Legend, 7 p.m.
The Skinny: These are two young teams that are seeing steady improvements as they wade into league play. Both teams are 3-2 in the Continental League but have been heading opposite directions. The Titans (11-5 overall) are trying to break a two-game winning streak while the Raiders (9-8) have won two straight. Good news for Legend? The Titans are a perfect 6-0 at home this season.
Matchup To Watch: Regis Jesuit sophomore Jamil Safieddine vs. Legend senior Blake Fields. Safieddine has played some of the best basketball of his career in the last two games. He’s scored 38 points in the past two contests while shooting 12-of-19 from the field and 7-of-12 from 3-point range. Fields has demonstrated an ability of is own to light up from long range. If this game’s close, look for these two to be trading big shots.
Prediction: Regis Jesuit