Prep Hoops Ten Best: Silver Creek at Pueblo West
Wednesday night there was a sweet sixteen match up with the reigning 4A champion Pueblo West Cyclones hosting the Silver Creek Raptors. The game was fast paced in the first quarter with Silver Creek jumping out to an early 21-18 lead. The Cyclones fought back to take a 37-28 lead going into the half. The Raptors kept the game close, at one point bringing the game within six points with three minutes left. The Cyclones, in large part thanks to a historic night from senior David Simental held on for the 87-79 victory. This ended a great season by Silver Creek, a season in which they won a school record 21 games.
Here are the ten best from the Pueblo West win over Silver Creek:
MVP: David Simental, Pueblo West
The unsigned senior and reigning 4A player of the year showed off his experience in the state playoffs on Wednesday night. Simental sank 24 of 24 free throws to set a new state record, and scored a game high 37 points. Simental dribbled through traps and double teams especially in the fourth quarter, and looked like he was a speed ahead of everyone else on the floor. Simental is capable of creating his own shot, and added 4 assists in the game as well.
Offensive MVP: Trent Dykema, Silver Creek
Dykema set a new career high vs the Cyclones, scoring 36 points. The junior guard scored in a variety of ways, pulling up for midrange jumpers and scoring efficiently inside off the dribble. Dykema shot 14 free throws as well, converting 13 of those attempts.
Defensive MVP: Pierre Taylor, Pueblo West
Taylor, an athletic junior guard for the Cyclones is versatile and can guard a variety of positions. Taylor does a good job creating turnovers and had 4 steals to go along with a block on Wednesday night. He has great instincts when the Cyclones choose to press, and has expanded his offensive game as well, scoring 18 points on Wednesday night.
Most Improved: Carter Blink, Silver Creek
Earlier in the season while watching the Raptors play Mountain View, Blink didn’t make a big impact on the game. On Wednesday Blink played well, scoring 14 points and making a couple of three pointers in the loss to the Cyclones. Blink was a part of a special senior class that included Sam Schlegel, Hunter Becvar, and Khari Harrison.
Play of the game
Late in the fourth quarter when Silver Creek was within six points, Simental drove into traffic with three players surrounding him. Simental found junior Zeb Jacquart cutting to the basket with a crafty pass, Jacquart made the layup, was fouled, and converted the and one for Pueblo West.
Best Intangibles: Hunter Becvar, Silver Creek
Becvar, one of four seniors for Silver Creek, gave his last game all he had on Wednesday night. He guarded one of the state’s best guards for the majority of the game, and scored 12 points for the Raptors.
Despite his team being down and Simental going off, he continued to pressure the reigning 4A player of the year, and forced him into contested jump shots throughout the second half.
Best Shooter: Nieyeme Smyer-Williams, Pueblo West
The junior shot 5/11 from the three point line for the Cyclones on Wednesday night.
Smyer- Williams is as comfortable shooting off the dribble, as he is catching and shooting. He does a great job creating space for his jumper off the dribble. Smyer-Williams showed off range even past the
college three point line in the game, taking and making multiple NBA range three pointers against the Raptors.
Best Quote: Bobby Tyler, Pueblo West
“A lot of coaches look at David and think he’s too small to play Division 1. I look at him and think at twenty years old he could be 6-1 with added weight, there’s lots of upside there. That combined with his advanced skill set is going to be a steal for someone who takes a chance on him.”
Best Under: The- Radar- Performance: Mitch Mayber, Pueblo West
Mitch Mayber doesn’t force anything on offense and could go unnoticed to someone who hasn’t watched the Cyclones before. His impact on the teams success though, is right up there with fellow senior
Simental. If there’s a loose ball, Maybers diving for it. If there’s an opportunity to take a charge, Mayber is taking it (2 on Wednesday night). He does a lot of the dirty work for the Cyclones, collecting
rebounds and making hustle plays for the defending champs.
Story Going forward for Pueblo West
Pueblo West now faces #2 seed Pueblo South, with a trip to the final four on the line. Expect the State Fair Events Center to be filled on Saturday night as basketball fans from all over the Steel City will come out watch the crosstown rivals face off in an Elite Eight game. The season series between the two teams was a split, with Pueblo West winning the first match up 76-42, and South winning the second game 67-64. Since 2014, the Colts and Cyclones have each won 3 and lost 3 against each other.