Week 1: Games to watch

This week, the 2017-18 season is officially underway as we finally get into some Colorado High School basketball. For those of us looking for some intriguing games to attend or monitor, here are some of the top games to watch for the opening week.

Wednesday, November 29th

Rock Canyon vs. Liberty @Rock Canyon-7:30 P.M.

Liberty is a bit overmatched at this point as Rock Canyon heads into the season as a Top 10 team in the state looking to take home the gold ball at seasons end. However, Moz Doria is coming off of a season in which he averaged 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. As far as Rock Canyon is concerned, they are coming off of a season in which they lost at the Denver Coliseum in controversial fashion and want to get the sour taste out of their mouth. They return their two star players, All-State guard Sam Masten (22.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and 2nd-Team All-Conference Tyson Gilbert (12.ppg, 3.7rpg) who after signing to play college ball are ready for their senior campaign.

Players to Watch:

Liberty:
Moz Doria, Jacob Burns
Rock Canyon:
Sam Masten, Tyson Gilbert, Blake Williams, Nick Janedis, Joe Bryson

George Washington vs. Rampart @ Rock Canyon-4:30 P.M.

George Washington lost some key players from last year’s team that fell in the championship game, but return a very stout group headed by Jon’il Fuggett (16.4 pts, 4.6 ast), Tre Pierce(7.6 pts, 4.7 rebs) alongside Senior transfer Xavier Cooper. The Patriots look destined to be in the state championship conversation. Meanwhile, Rampart is coming off of a year where they finished 9-3 in conference and return 6’11 Big Man, Dawson Carper (15.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and also Josh Kavalec (11.1 ppg, 5.3 apg) to the mix. The Patriots look to be the favorites in this one but these two teams should bring excitement and keep it competitive for awhile as one of the top games to watch for opening week.

Players to watch:

Rampart:
Dawson Carper, Josh Kavalec, Marshal Ehrlin
GW:
Jon’l Fuggett, Xavier Cooper, Trey Pierce, Devin Carter, Mo Diallo

Lincoln @ Mullen-7 P.M.

The Mullen Mustangs struggled in conference last year which resulted into a less than stellar season but look to turn things around this upcoming year. They have a relatively young bunch but that doesn’t stop them from playing an entertaining style of basketball. They return sophomore standout from last season Conor Riepma as well as Reggie Parris to try and turn the ship around for this upcoming season and it starts on Wednesday when they face-off against the Lincoln Lancers.

The Lancers are coming off of a year where they finished off in the middle of the pack and want to get back to being one of the better teams in the state, despite being in one of the strongest conferences. They return All-DPL 2nd team player Ty Foster (10.7 ppg, 3.9 apg) who had one of the best sophomore seasons last year and a very strong off season in which he went to some prestigious camps and showed out. Him alongside Senior Shyreef Robins will apply pressure on the Mullen Mustang unit that always shows strong wit and determination. This will be a hard-fought battle.

Players to Watch:

Lincoln:
Shyreef Robins, Josh Perez, Ty Foster
Mullen:
Connor Riepma, Reggie Parris, Nick Cito

Thursday, November 30th

Mesa Ridge vs. Rangeview @ Highlands Ranch-3:20 P.M.

Both Mesa Ridge and Rangeview are coming off of a year in which they dominated in conference and look to take it a step further this upcoming year by advancing in the state playoffs as well. Only time will tell if both teams will have duplicate performances of last season when it comes to conference play, however, they both have some of the most enjoyable brands of basketball. Mesa Ridge returns Deven Nelson (14.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg) who will be tasked to do it all this year and if anybody could, he could. Rangeview has one of the most balanced teams in the state. Jodaun Dotson (8 ppg and 4 apg) is one of the top two-way players in the state and will look to lead this team alongside Emporia State University commit Ryan Ongala (10 ppg and 8 rpg). Ongala and Dotson should make for a strong inside-out combo that will apply pressure on opposing teams all year. This may very well be the game of the day.

Players to Watch:

Mesa Ridge:
Deven Nelson, Devon Ricketts
Rangeview:
Jodaun Dotson, Ryan Ongala, Isaiah Hayes

Friday, December 1st

Overland @ Regis-7 P.M.

Overland will come into this game battle tested as they return a plethora of last year’s team with plenty to prove as it was a down year for a Danny Fisher coached squad. Second team all-league guards Tucson Redding (9.3ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.1apg) and Daijon Smith (11.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0spg) will lead this unit this year in their pursuit of winning the conference and making the playoffs. Overland will be tested by a stingy Regis Raiders that they beat to open the year last year. Ken Shaw returns Seniors Sam Bannec (11.7 ppg, 3.0 apg) and Elijah Martinez (12.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and also Junior Jamil Safieddine (10.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg) who will also be ready to turn around their season from last years disappointing year. This will surely be the game of the week and one that should be on the radars to get out to.

Players to watch:

Overland:
Tucson Redding, Daijon Smith, Goy Wang, Laolu Oke, Stephen Hayes
Regis:
Sam Bannec, Elijah Martinez, Jamil Safieddine